Former St. Peter’s priest charged in federal sex abuse case

MANSFIELD (OH)
Richland Source

August 18, 2020

Findlay – A former Roman Catholic priest at Mansfield St. Peter’s Church was placed on administrative leave by the Diocese of Toledo after his arrest in Findlay on Tuesday morning.

Bishop Daniel E. Thomas placed Rev. Michael Zacharias, 53, a priest of the Diocese of Toledo and pastor of St. Michael the Archangel parish in Findlay, on administrative leave after he was reportedly arrested by FBI agents on charges of sex trafficking, coercion and enticement.

According to a story in the Toledo Blade, FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith said Zacharias is believed to have been grooming and engaging in sexual conduct with minors since the late 1990s.

He said there are two victims in the criminal complaint, but authorities believe there are more.

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