Former Priest Pleads Guilty To Child Sex Charges
A former Episcopal priest admits sexually abusing children.
Because of his age, the 83-year-old priest from Susquehanna County could spend the rest of his life in prison when he is sentenced on child sex abuse charges.
He pleaded guilty Friday to charges he molested two boys, one in the 1990s and the other in 2001.
Johnson of Gibson pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse.
He admitted in Susquehanna County court to having sexual contact with two teenage boys between 1992 and 1995 when he was a priest. Court documents said another boy, who was mentally disabled, was sexually assaulted in 2001.
Johnson had nothing to say after the guilty plea. His attorney said he is remorseful.
"I believe he does. I believe he realizes what he did was wrong. He's probably fearful that someone higher than a judge is going to punish him for what occurred," said John Petorak, Johnson's attorney.
Johnson was arrested in March and originally charged with nearly 50 sex charges.
Court papers state Johnson molested each boy on several separate occasions at his home in Gibson.
When the charges came up, Johnson was a priest at a church in Afton, New York, right outside of the Binghamton area.
He was defrocked from his priesthood several years ago.
The two guilty pleas carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
With his age, he will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.
"Unfortunately even with in a mitigated range he would be looking at 27 months, which is two-and-a-half years," Petorak added.
Johnson is due back in Susquehanna County court in March for sentencing. While he faces a maximum of 40 years in prison for both charges, his attorney said he will serve those sentences at the same time.
Because of his age, the 83-year-old priest from Susquehanna County could spend the rest of his life in prison when he is sentenced on child sex abuse charges.
He pleaded guilty Friday to charges he molested two boys, one in the 1990s and the other in 2001.
Johnson of Gibson pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse.
He admitted in Susquehanna County court to having sexual contact with two teenage boys between 1992 and 1995 when he was a priest. Court documents said another boy, who was mentally disabled, was sexually assaulted in 2001.
Johnson had nothing to say after the guilty plea. His attorney said he is remorseful.
"I believe he does. I believe he realizes what he did was wrong. He's probably fearful that someone higher than a judge is going to punish him for what occurred," said John Petorak, Johnson's attorney.
Johnson was arrested in March and originally charged with nearly 50 sex charges.
Court papers state Johnson molested each boy on several separate occasions at his home in Gibson.
When the charges came up, Johnson was a priest at a church in Afton, New York, right outside of the Binghamton area.
He was defrocked from his priesthood several years ago.
The two guilty pleas carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
With his age, he will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.
"Unfortunately even with in a mitigated range he would be looking at 27 months, which is two-and-a-half years," Petorak added.
Johnson is due back in Susquehanna County court in March for sentencing. While he faces a maximum of 40 years in prison for both charges, his attorney said he will serve those sentences at the same time.
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