Ohio priest accused of sex crimes in Canada

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A Roman Catholic priest who was removed from ministry in Columbus in 1993 on allegations of molesting a teenage boy has been charged with sex crimes in Canada.

The Rev. Phillip Jacobs was arrested Wednesday night at the Victoria airport in British Columbia. He’s charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation and sexual interference.

A police spokesman says “numerous” alleged victims have come forward. The 60-year-old Jacobs served as a parish priest in British Columbia from 1998 to 2002.

The Diocese of Victoria has apologized and says counseling is being provided to anyone who was harmed.

Jacobs is from Columbus and had served at several Ohio parishes before he was accused of molesting a teenage boy.

It wasn’t clear if Jacobs had an attorney.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.