Pastor avoids jail time in sexual imposition case

BOARDMAN — A man who served as pastor of a Youngstown church will avoid jail time after he was convicted of sexual imposition for an incident that took place in a restaurant restroom.

James Callozzo, 72, of Pittsburgh, withdrew a plea of not guilty and pleaded no contest to the third-degree misdemeanor charge in Mahoning County Area Court here Tuesday.

A judge sentenced Callozzo to a 60-day jail sentence, with 60 days suspended. The judge placed Callozzo on a one-year probation and ordered him to pay a $150 fine, plus $70 in court costs.

The judge prohibited Callozzo from verbal or physical contact with the 18-year-old male victim.

The charge stems from a May 15 incident at Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, 804 Boardman-Poland Road. There, Callozzo asked him questions about his genitals and forcefully grabbed his genitals, according to a report filed May 30 with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com