WARREN (OH)
WKRC-TV, CBS-12 [Cincinnati OH]
August 21, 2026
By WKRC
A couple allegedly caught a priest and a registered sex offender engaging in sexual activity in a park in Ohio.
According to WFMJ, 75-year-old Monsignor Anthony Spinosa, the rector of the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, was taken into custody last Thursday after he was allegedly caught engaging in sexual activity with a registered sex offender in Perkins Park in Warren, Ohio.
Per the report, Spinosa has been rector at Our Lady of Lebanon since 2002 and is Chorbishop with the Maronite Catholic Church.
The station reported that Spinosa was charged days after a couple who had been walking their dog in Perkins Park went to law enforcement on July 31 after they allegedly noticed 54-year-old Kenneth Kopp down on his knees as he was performing a sex act on Spinosa. The couple reportedly noted that Spinosa was smoking a cigar at the time.
When speaking with police, the couple claimed one of the suspects invited them to join them and said the couple could watch them if they provided payment. A police report reviewed by WFMJ reportedly states that the alleged incident occurred “in broad daylight” and approximately 100 yards from a playground where children were present.
Upon arriving at the park, police said they found Kopp in a Honda Civic that was parked next to a black rug and a pair of pink boots, and noted that the suspect was wearing black boxers at the time. During a search of the vehicle, officers reportedly found multiple wigs, a pair of silicone breasts, rubberized handcuffs and three pipes police said are often used to smoke methamphetamine.
While speaking to officers, Kopp denied anything was going on and said the couple likely reported him because he was dressed up. Police said they found Spinosa smoking a cigar in a black SUV in the park, and he reportedly told officers that he didn’t know Kopp and wasn’t with him at any point, although one of the witnesses remained adamant that they had seen Kopp performing a sex act with Spinosa.
According to WFMJ, Kopp was taken into custody, and Spinosa was told he was free to leave.
Kopp appeared on video during an arraignment hearing, where he pleaded not guilty to the following charges:
- Public indecency
- Drug paraphernalia-related charges
A warrant for Spinosa’s arrest was issued by a city prosecutor on August 3.
Spinosa and Kopp were taken into custody and pleaded not guilty to the following charges, per WFMJ:
- Public indecency
- Procuring
Spinosa was taken to the Trumbull County Jail and was later released after posting a $2,000 bond. He was ordered to stay away from Perkins Park, according to the report.
Spinosa is expected to appear in court on September 14, and his attorney, Jeffery Goodman, asked that prosecutors provide all evidence, including any video that may be available, per the outlet.
Police said Kopp is a Tier Three sex offender, who was convicted of raping a juvenile female in 2011. Kopp was sentenced to serve ten years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, WFMJ reported. He is scheduled to appear for another hearing on September 14, according to the station’s report.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story showed the incorrect church.