Justices Uphold Bangor Ex-priest’s Conviction on Sex Assault Charges

By Judy Harrison
Bangor Daily News
April 28, 2016

https://bangordailynews.com/2016/04/28/news/bangor/justices-uphold-bangor-ex-priests-conviction-on-sex-assault-charges/

Adam Metropoulos (right), 53, a former priest at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bangor, was sentenced April 27, 2015, at the Penobscot Judicial Center to 12 years in prison with all but 6 1/2 years suspended for sex crimes involving children.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday upheld the conviction of a former Greek Orthodox priest on sex charges involving a former altar server in a one-page memorandum of decision that did not explain the reasons for the decision.

Adam Metropoulos, 53, of Bangor was sentenced a year ago to 12 years in prison with all but 6? years suspended, to be followed by three years of probation.

Metropoulos, who was the priest at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bangor for 14 years, is incarcerated at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham, according to the Maine Department of Corrections inmate locator. His earliest possible release date is May 14, 2020.

Superior Court Justice Ann Murray in March 2015 found Metropoulos guilty on four felony counts of sexual abuse of a minor following a jury-waived trial. The charges stemmed from the former priest’s sexual assault on a 15-year-old altar server at the church in 2006 and 2007.

Before the trial began, Metropoulos pleaded guilty to one count of felony possession of sexually explicit materials — for nearly 400 sexual images including many involving children — found on his computer. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor violation of privacy for filming a relative taking a shower just days before his arrest.

Attorneys for Metropoulos appealed the conviction to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court in Portland. The justices considered the appeal on briefs earlier this month and did not hear oral arguments, according to the clerk’s office in Portland.

To reach a sexual assault advocate, call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 800-871-7741, TTY 888-458-5599. This free and confidential 24-hour service is accessible from anywhere in Maine. Calls are automatically routed to the closest sexual violence service provider.

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