Predatory Seminarian Is Sentenced; Sex Abuse Victims Respond

SNAP
May 19, 2016

http://www.snapnetwork.org/oh_il_predatory_seminarian_is_sentenced_sex_abuse_victims_respond

Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga, California, Orthodox Christian Director for SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, melanie.sakoda@gmail.com)

Former seminarian Dario Spasic pleaded guilty this week to one count of indecent solicitation of a child. He was sentenced to probation, and will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

[chicagotribune.com]

We had hoped for jail time, since that is the only proven way to stop a predator from hurting children. The former seminarian is a relatively young man. We firmly believe that he will try to harm more kids.

We now beg anyone who suffered, witnessed, or suspected abuse by this predator to call police. Another conviction will mean another chance to take Spasic off the streets.

Spasic was in his final year at Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox School of Theology in Libertyville, Illinois, when he was charged with two counts of indecent solicitation of a child on September 19, 2014. The seminarian contacted what he thought was a 14 year old boy to engage in sexual activity. When he showed up at the arranged meeting he was arrested by sheriff’s detectives. While Spasic was convicted in Illinois, the judge in the case agreed that Spasic can serve his probation under the supervision of the state of Ohio, where he is now living.

[chicagotribune.com]

[chicagotribune.com]

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

Contact - Melanie Jula Sakoda (925-708-6175, melanie.sakoda@gmail.com), Cappy Larson (415-637-2006, cappy@rlarson.com), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org)