Priest pleads guilty to sexual assault of minors
David Poulson was arrested in connection with grand jury report into abuse by clergy
In a small Jefferson County courtroom, David Poulson pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony counts in connection with sexual assaults against one boy and the attempted assault of another boy.
The approximately 15-minute proceeding before Common Pleas Judge John Foradora took place in the rural county where Poulson, a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Erie, took the boys to a remote cabin between 2002 and 2010. Poulson pleaded guilty to corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children — third-degree felonies.
The two victims were between the ages of 8 and 18 when the sexual abuse occurred at the cabin. Poulson shares ownership of 40 acres where the cabin is located with Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Mark Bettwy.
The first victim was also routinely assaulted at the rectories of St. Michael parish in Fryburg, Clarion County, and St. Anthony in Cambridge Springs, Crawford County.
While those two were not present in the courtroom Wednesday, another victim — whose window for bringing charges against Poulson has passed — sat alternately looking at Poulson and wiping away tears.
“I waited 37 years of my life for this day in court, although it’s not my day in court,” said Jim VanSickle, of Robinson. “At the end when he stood up and walked out, I made sure I stood up so that he could see me.”
Mr. VanSickle, the victims and several other men were interviewed about Poulson’s behavior during the recent state grand jury investigation of abuse by Catholic