Authorities dismiss felony sex charge against Eugene priest

EUGENE – Lane County prosecutors have dismissed a felony charge against a Eugene priest charged with paying for sex with an underage girl.

The Register-Guard reported that the move means Daniel MacKay will go to trial on nine misdemeanor charges on Thursday.

The felony charge accused MacKay of attempting to use a minor in the commission of a controlled substance offense, alleging he used an underage girl to help him distribute cocaine.

MacKay is now charged with four counts of prostitution, four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and one count of sexual misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

MacKay is a priest at a Serbian Orthodox church. The Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church has suspended him from church duties pending the outcome of his criminal case.