Priest Indicted for Soliciting Sex at Park

WKYC
October 25, 2013

http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/319449/3/Priest-indicted-for-soliciting-sex-at-park


The Rev. James McGonegal has been indicted on sex related felony charges.

He has now been formally charged with felony soliciting, abusing harmful intoxicants and public indecency.

The indictment stems from an Oct. 11 incident where McGonegal, 68, a priest at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church on Lorain Avenue.

McGonegal has already pleaded not guilty and has posted bond and is out of jail.

He is accused of soliciting sex from a park ranger at Edgewater Park Oct. 11 by offering to pay him $50 to touch him and exposed himself.

McGonegal told police he is HIV positive as he was being arrested.

According to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, McGonegal has since "stepped away from his duties" at St. Ignatius of Antioch parish to "attend to his personal matters."

Police report that three sexual objects were discovered in his car, along with a bottle of intoxicant.