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  Priest Admits Sex Assault

By Joe McCaffrey
Star-Ledger
March 6, 1998

A Salem County priest faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty yesterday to sexually assaulting a boy over a seven-year period.

Father Peter Osinski, 55, admitted to assaulting the boy numerous times at a summer home the priest rented on Long Beach Island and at the boy's home in Gloucester Township, Camden County, between June 1983 and June 1990.

Osinski has been a priest for 27 years and was principal of St. James High School in Carneys Point from 1989 until he was arrested last October.

Superior Court Judge Peter J. Giovine in Toms River told Osinski he would not be eligible for parole for five years. He told the defendant the "presumptive sentence" he should expect is seven years.

First, Osinski must be evaluated by psychiatrists in the state Diagnostic Center in Avenel, the facility for adult male sex offenders.

Giovine told the priest he could be confined longer than 10 years if doctors determine he is a "compulsive and repetitive" sex offender.

The victim, now 21, was in court with his family. His identity is being protected by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

As part of a plea bargain, Giovine agreed to dismiss an additional count of endangering the welfare of a child. Bail for the priest, who must register immediately under the provisions of Megan's Law, was continued at $25,000 pending sentencing.

 
 

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