Cleveland priest indicted on felony soliciting charge; failed to reveal he was HIV-positive

OHIO
The Plain Dealer

By James F. McCarty, The Plain Dealer
on October 25, 2013

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A Cuyahoga County grand jury today returned a three-count criminal indictment charging the Rev. James McGonegal, the 68-year-old pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, with soliciting sex from an undercover ranger at Edgewater Park two weeks ago.

Because McGonegal is HIV-positive, and failed to tell the ranger that, the soliciting charge is a third-degree felony.

McGonegal also was charged with abusing harmful intoxicants and public indecency, both misdemeanors.

His lawyer, Henry Hilow, said he had just learned about the indictments and had not yet discussed them with McGonegal.

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