Ohio priest pleads guilty in sex crimes case

COLUMBUS (AP) — A Greek Orthodox priest has pleaded guilty to attempted rape after a police sex sting that developed after the priest posted an ad on an adult social networking site.

Patrick Hughes, the former acting dean at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Columbus, was immediately sentenced to six years in prison after today’s plea.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office says Hughes was arrested last week when he arrived at a location where he thought he was meeting a 9-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy for sex.

Hughes waived his right to an indictment today and agreed to plead guilty to a bill of information charging him with one count of attempted rape.

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said it was rare to close a serious felony case so soon after an arrest.