Ohio priest who sexually abused boys is sentenced to life in prison

An Ohio priest who forced three boys to perform sex acts as children and abused their addiction to opioids as teens and adults, paying them money that financed their drug use in exchange for sex, was sentenced Friday to life in prison. said.

The priest, Michael Zacharias, 56, was found guilty of five counts of sex trafficking in May by a federal jury in Toledo, Ohio, in a case that prosecutors say revealed how a trusted spiritual leader had preyed on childhood piety.

During the two-week trial, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Ohio described the pernicious actions of Mr. Zacharias, who they said targeted financially vulnerable boys without fathers or a steady home life, and their had gained trust through affection that eventually turned into inappropriate sexual comments and touching.

Rebecca C. Lutzko, the U.S. attorney for the district, said in a statement Friday that Mr. Zacharias “was held accountable because of the courageous testimony of these young men who gave voice to his betrayal and abuse.”

She added that “while no amount of time can ever fully repair the damage Zacharias caused to his victims, the life sentence he received today is an important step toward finding justice and protecting our community.”

Mr. Zacharias’s lawyers did not immediately respond to calls for comment late Friday evening. During the trial, Mr. Zacharias maintained his innocence and claimed that any sexual acts he performed were consensual and with adults, court records show.

The Diocese of Toledo said in a statement that Mr. Zacharias’ “status as a priest” was still awaiting a “final decision” from the Vatican.

Bishop Daniel Thomas of the Diocese of Toledo said in a statement in May, after Mr. Zacharias’ conviction, that “the actions of which Rev. Michael Zacharias has been found guilty are reprehensible, morally deplorable and clearly contrary to the dignity that every human being due. person and the dignity of the priesthood.”

The Roman Catholic Church has long been plagued by reports of child sex abuse by priests across the country, leading to criminal cases that have shrouded the church in shame.

During Mr. Zacharias’ trial, prosecutors repeatedly emphasized that he had not only been predatory with children, but also cruel. Their lives, prosecutors said, had been tainted by a priest who had exploited their drug addictions for his own sexual gratification.

One victim – who was in middle school and high school when he had contact with Mr. Zacharias – told investigators that Mr. Zacharias, sometime before he turned 17, knew he was addicted to drugs and made an offer: $1,500 for a sex act.

The victim, not identified in court documents, “indicated he didn’t want Zacharias to do it and only gave in because he needed the money to support his drug habit,” according to court documents.

Mr. Zacharias was well aware of his misconduct, court records show: In a video he once made and later obtained by authorities, he confessed to “grooming” the victim in the sixth grade and thinking at the time that he wanted to perform a play. sexual act with the boy. The video then shows the priest performing that sex act on the victim, who was in his mid-20s at the time.

A second victim had contact with Mr. from kindergarten through eighth grade. Zacharias at St. Catherine’s Catholic School in Toledo, Ohio.

When the victim, also not identified in court records, was in ninth grade, he told the priest he was “dope sick,” or withdrawn from not using drugs, court records state. Mr. Zacharias arrived at the victim’s home and told him he would pay $50 for a drug if the victim would let him engage in a sexual act with him, records show.

The victim didn’t want to do it, but “knowing that with the $50 he could buy an OxyContin pill that would make him feel better,” he eventually agreed, prosecutors said.

Another time, when the victim was 18 years old and still suffering from drug addiction, Mr. Zacharias visited him and asked if he was “still using drugs,” prosecutors said. The victim said yes.

Mr. Zacharias again engaged in a sexual act and told the victim “not to tell anyone or he could get in trouble,” the documents state.

But years later the victim did.