Fr. John Thomas Sweeney
Worked in Latrobe, Greensburg, Smock, Freeport, Lower Burrell, Apollo and West Newton parishes. Retired in 12/16. Arrested in 7/17 on charges of “involuntary deviate sexual intercourse” with 10-year-old boy during 1991-92, when Sweeney was assigned to St. Margaret Mary in Lower Burrell and the boy was a 4th grader at the parish school. His accuser reported the allegations to police in 2016 after seeing the movie “Spotlight.” He said he was called into Sweeney’s office after misbehaving on the school bus, and that Sweeney forced him to perform oral sex on him, warning him that he would get in trouble if he told anyone. He said the Sweeney’s secretary brought him milk and cookies after the abuse. Sweeney pled guilty 7/31/18. Included in the 8/14/18 PA Grand Jury Report and on the diocese’s list of credibly accused. Sentenced 12/18 to 11 months to 5 years in state prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
- The Tribune-Review 05.24.16
- Associated Press 07.24.17
- WPXI 07.24.17
- WTAE 07.24.17
- WPXI 07.24.17
- WJAC 07.24.17
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 07.24.17
- WPXI 07.24.17
- Attoorney General Josh Shapiro 07.24.17
- Independent (UK) 07.25.17
- Tribune-Review 07.25.17
- WTAE 07.25.17
- Tribune-Review 07.28.17
- Morning Call 07.29.17
- WITF 07.30.17
- USA Today 08.23.17
- Tribune Live 09.20.17
- WPXI 09.20.17
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 04.16.18
- Trib Live 05.31.18
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Philadelphia Inquirer 06.20.18
- Morning Call 06.29.18
- Penn Live 07.31.18
- Penn Live 08.09.18
- Diocese of Greensburg List 08.19.18
- PA Grand Jury Report Profile 10.22.18
- Legal Examiner 10.30.18
- Tribune Review 12.12.18
- Times Leader 12.23.18
- Catholic News Service 12.27.18
- KDKA 10.29.19
- WTAE 10.29.19
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Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.