BAY CITY (MI)
The Detroit News
Associated Press /
BAY CITY -- A Catholic priest sought by authorities for more than seven years in several child sex cases was arraigned Friday, nearly two weeks after he was arrested in Colombia.
John Steven Rabideau, 44, has been charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He also faces six counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, which involves touching. Each second-degree charge has a maximum penalty of 15 years.
District Judge Scott J. Newcombe ordered Rabideau held without bond and scheduled a preliminary hearing for March 1.
Rabideau is accused of having sexual contact with three boys between the ages of 6 and 14 in Bay County's Williams Township in 1985 and 1987. The youths, who are now adults, reported the incidents in 1998. Authorities issued a warrant for Rabideau's arrest that year, and he has been considered a fugitive since then.