Priest Pleads Guilty to One Count of Attempted Rape

By John Futty
Columbus Dispatch
September 27, 2012

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/09/27/priest-to-plead-guilty.html

The acting dean of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Columbus pleaded guilty this afternoon to a bill of information accusing him of trying to meet two boys for sex.

Patrick N. Hughes, 56, was sentenced to six years in prison by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Mark Serrott.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys recommended the sentence. The maximum for one count of attempted rape is eight years.

Hughes was arrested last week by deputy sheriffs. He was accused of posting an online ad “ looking for taboo sex with no age restrictions,” a prosecutor said during Hughes’ initial appearance in court.

A detective from the Internet Crimes Against Children task force followed up on the ad, leading Hughes to set up a meeting for what he thought would be sex with two boys, ages 9 and 14.

He was immediately suspended from his work at the cathedral, pending an investigation by the Metropolis of Pittsburgh, which oversees the congregation.