Local Priest Indicted on Sex Related Charges

By Peggy Sinkovich
Fox 8
October 25, 2013

http://fox8.com/2013/10/25/local-priest-indicted-on-sex-related-charges/

James McGonegal, Photo from Cleveland Police

A priest is now facing felony charges after being indicted on sex related charges.

Rev. James McGonegal is accused of soliciting sex at Edgewater Park earlier this month.

The indictment was released shortly after noon Friday.

McGonegal is now facing three counts, including counts of soliciting and public indecency.

The 68-year-old has “stepped away from his duties” at St. Ignatius of Antioch parish to “attend to his personal matters,” according to a statement released by the Diocese of Cleveland.

A police report states that McGonegal asked a ranger at the park to get into his vehicle.

According to the report, he then offered him $50 to touch him and exposed himself.

The ranger arrested McGonegal and then found three sexual devices in his car along with a bottle of intoxicant, according to police.

McGonegal told police he is HIV positive.

McGonegal has been the head of the St. Ignatius Church parish since the 1980s.

He will be arraigned Nov 8.