Metropoulos Found Guilty on Child Sex Charges

By John Krinjak
WABI
March 17, 2015

http://wabi.tv/2015/03/17/metropoulos-found-guilty-on-child-sex-charges/

A former priest from Bangor has been found guilty on all counts in the child sex trial against him.

On Monday 52-year-old Adam Metropoulos pleaded guilty to child pornography and violation of privacy charges.

“I do find beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant guilty,” said Justice Ann Murray Tuesday afternoon.

That’s the verdict handed down to 52-year-old Adam Metropoulos on charges he sexually abused a minor – less than two hours after the former Greek Orthodox priest took the stand in his own defense.

He admitted to “intentionally” touching a boy who slept at his home, but denied the sex acts the now 23-year-old alleged Monday.

Metropoulos said he thought the boy “was not aware [of the touching] because he didn’t say anything.”

He said “Many times we slept together…but I did not act on that temptation.”

Prosecutors pointed to what they called inconsistencies in statements from Metropoulos, including his admission Tuesday that he secretly videotaped a total of three women.

“I called him on it. We did find a third video going through his computers,” said Penobscot County Deputy District Attorney Michael Roberts. “I think it hurt his credibility very much. He’s somebody that seems to want to put himself in the best light, but to do so at the sacrifice of the truth.”

In closing arguments, the defense tried to discredit the victim.

“I suggest to you that someone who just says x happened, but can’t give you the underlying details — there’s a real concern whether it happened at all,” said Metropoulos’ attorney Marvin Glazier.

But the judge wasn’t swayed.

“I reject the defendant’s testimony that the offenses did not occur,” said Murray. “And I do find that sexual acts occurred, that the defendant committed those sexual acts, that the sexual acts occurred in fact in excess of four times.”

“It’s certainly a victory for the victim given what he went through, the passage of time that he had to deal with this,” said Roberts.

The guilty verdict marks the start of a long healing process for a community whose faith has been tested.

“I think to an extent it’s a victory for the church itself. This was an individual who seems to have been grooming kids and had a predilection as he indicated it and we’ve removed him from what could have been a very serious situation,” said Roberts.

Prosecutors say they want Metropoulos behind bars for at least four years. He must also register as a sex offender.

“He’s been both a school teacher and a priest. So hopefully he will never do either, or any other position that involves direct contact with minors,” said Roberts.

The judge has not set a date for sentencing.

I’m told it could be several weeks before that happens.