Trial of ex-Greek Orthodox priest on sex charges set for Monday

By Judy Harrison
Bangor Daily News
March 11, 2015

http://bangordailynews.com/2015/03/11/news/bangor/trial-of-ex-greek-orthodox-priest-on-sex-charges-set-for-monday/

Adam Metropoulos (right), 52, of Bangor listens to District Court Judge John Lucy with his attorney Marvin Glazier of Bangor Dec. 3, 2014, at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor. The suspended Greek Orthodox priest faces sexual abuses charges along with possession of pornography and violation of privacy counts.

Adam Metropoulos

BANGOR, Maine — The jury-waived trial of a former Greek Orthodox priest on sex charges will be held next week at the Penobscot Judicial Center.

Adam Metropoulos, 52, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual abuse of a minor, one count each of possession of sexually explicit materials and violation of privacy.

His trial before a judge is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Monday and conclude Tuesday. A judge has not been assigned to hear the case, according to the Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office.

Metropoulos remained Wednesday at the Penobscot County Jail unable to post bail of $50,000 cash or $100,000 surety.

The former pastor at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bangor was arrested Sept. 15 for allegedly possessing child pornography and for surreptitiously photographing a woman taking a shower in his bathroom.

A subsequent investigation led the Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office to seek charges alleging the sexual abuse of a minor.

Michael Roberts, deputy district attorney for Penobscot County, said last year that there was one male victim who was 15 years old at the time the alleged abuse took place, between the summer of 2005 and the spring of 2007. The priest knew the victim through the church, Roberts said.

The victim came forward after Metropoulos’ arrest was covered by the local media, Roberts said.

Metropoulos was convicted in Michigan in 1983 of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 13, according to Saginaw court records.

If convicted, Metropoulos faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 on the abuse and the possession of child pornography charges, a Class C crime, and up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 on the violation of privacy charge, a Class D crime.

To reach a sexual assault advocate, call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 800-871-7741, TTY 888-458-5599. This free and confidential 24-hour service is accessible from anywhere in Maine. Calls are automatically routed to the closest sexual violence service provider.