⏩ PRE-TRIAL HEARING FOR EX-PRIEST IN SEX-ABUSE CASE SET FOR SEPT. 4

The pre-trial hearing of the former Danbury priest accused of sexually assaulting two boys has been pushed to Sept. 4.

Jaime Marin-Cardona, 52, is charged with three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, three counts of risk of injury to child and three counts of illegal sexual contact. He pleaded not guilty to all nine charges.

The warrant for Marin-Cardona’s arrest alleges that he groomed two boys over the course of four years, and sexually abused one of them over the same period of time.

The alleged abuse began in 2014 — the same year MarinCardona became a priest at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Golden Hill Road.

He was placed on administrative leave Dec. 11, after the Diocese of Bridgeport’s Sexual Misconduct Review Board learned the state Department of Children and Families had substantiated allegations of abuse against him.

The Columbia native’s latest service was at Saint Mary Parish in Bridgeport, according to Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport.

Marin-Cardona was released on $500,000 bond, must wear a tracking device and comply with protective orders.