CaribWorldNews, TORONTO, Canada, Fri. Oct. 23, 2009: A former Ontario priest is now facing twelve charges that he sexually abused several Haitian boys.

Father Joao Jose Correira Duarte, also known as John, 43, was arrested on Tuesday at a hotel in Puerto Plata, Hoy Digital reports indicate. Duarte is accused of assaulting the boys, ages 12 to 17 as far back as 1995 when he ran an orphanage there. It is alleged he had sex with the minors in exchange for economic favors, including buying them clothing and paying for the housing of some of his victims` relatives.

He is co-founder of Windsor-based Hearts Together for Haiti charity, which is dedicated to `helping the Haitian community` with educational and medical programs, according to its website. The priest had worked for the charity in Haiti since 2003 but resigned in June 20 after being confronted with the allegations by the head of the charity.

The organization head then allegedly alerted police to the allegations. Duarte is expected to be extradited to Canada, Hoy Digital said.

The Duarte case comes on the heels of the case involving a Connecticut resident who is also accused of sexual assault of several Haitian boys while he ran a private school there.