Joel Wright, Former Seminarian, Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Charges

10TV
April 14, 2016

http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2016/04/14/san-diego--joel-wright-former-seminarian-pleads-guilty-to-child-sex-charges.html

A former Ohio seminarian has pleaded guilty to trying to adopt or purchase infants from Mexico to sexually molest them.

Joel Wright pleaded guilty Wednesday in San Diego to a federal charge of attempted enticement of a minor. The 23-year-old faces 10 years to life in prison when he’s sentenced in July.

Beginning in November, Wright placed Craigslist ads for a Tijuana tour guide, then told someone who responded that he wanted a baby girl for sex.

Wright acknowledged sending explicit emails describing his desires to assault children, from infants up to the age of 4.

The person he contacted was cooperating with federal agents and Wright was arrested when he flew into San Diego in January.

Wright is a former student of Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests released the following statement on the plea:

We’re grateful that a sexually troubled Ohio seminarian has pled guilty to child sex crimes and hope, for the safety of children, that he’s given the longest sentence possible. We also worry there may be other kids he’s hurt and deplore how little his former church supervisors are doing to find other victims, witnesses or whistleblowers.

Official Statement of the Pontifical College Josephinum Re: Judicial Decision in Case of Former Student Joel Wright"

The Pontifical College Josephinum wishes to salute the work of all who have contributed to the pursuit of justice in this horrific case, and remains unequivocally committed to the protection of all of God’s children.