A Catholic priest has been charged with stalking, criminal sexual conduct and violence against a woman that he was spiritually advising. This is the second St. Cloud area priest accused of inappropriate conduct in the past two months. The Stearns County Attorney's Office filed charges last Wednesday, Nov. 26, against 61 year old Joseph Herzing, of Milaca, for one count each of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and stalking, and three counts of threats of violence in connection with the abuse and intimidation. The abuse occurred between May 2018 and October 2022, according to the criminal complaint. During the time of the incidents, Herzing served as a priest in Little Falls and St. Cloud, according to law enforcement. He was ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud in 1999, and later was appointed as pastor of Christ the King in Browerville, St. Joseph in Clarissa, St. Joseph in Grey Eagle, St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Long Prairie, and St. John the Baptist in Swanville in June 2024, according to the Diocese of St. Cloud. Herzing was immediately put on leave following the charges being filed in Stearns County court, St. Cloud Bishop Patrick Neary said in a statement dated Thursday, Nov. 27. Herzing is scheduled to make his first appearance in Stearns County court on Dec. 29.