Feds arrest Findlay priest for sex trafficking

The Rev. Michael Zacharias, pastor of Findlay's St. Michael the Archangel Parish, has been federally charged with sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking of an adult. He was taken into federal custody Tuesday from his 2008 Greendale Ave. home by the Northwest Ohio Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Zacharias, 53, was charged with sex offenses involving two former students of Catholic schools in Toledo over a period of years. The federal complaint alleges the offenses — coercion and enticement, sex trafficking of a minor, and sex trafficking of an adult by force, fraud, or coercion — involved Zacharias preying upon boys, and later men, who needed money for their drug addictions. In fact, it was through a drug investigation of one of two victims, now 32, that investigators happened upon Zacharias, court records stated. "Text messages revealed sexual conversations between Victim #1 and a person identified in the cellphone's contacts as 'FrZ,'" court records state. The FBI believes Zacharias has victimized others, said Eric Smith, special agent in charge of the Cleveland Field Office of the FBI. "We believe Father Michael Zacharias has had sexual contact with minors since the 1990s," Smith said. "Based on our investigation, it appears that individuals were targeted and they were groomed over a long period of time for continued gratification." Smith answered in the affirmative when asked if some St. Michael's parishioners may have been victimized. "Yes. We believe that's accurate or we also believe that there are victims elsewhere, so we don't want to suggest that it's simply St. Michael's," Smith said. Victim 1 said he has been at Zacharias's residence in Findlay six or seven times in the past year for paid sex, according to court records. Victim 2 in the charges against Zacharias is now 26 years old. Anyone who has had unwanted sexual contact or anyone who believes they have been solicited or groomed by Zacharias should contact the FBI at 216-622-6842. All information will be strictly confidential, Smith said. Ordained as a priest in 2002, Zacharias served over the years at St. Catherine's of Siena in Toledo; St. Peter's Catholic Church in Mansfield; St. Mary's of the Assumption in Van Wert; and St. Ann and St. Joseph Parishes in Fremont, where he served as dean of the Saint Philomena Deanery and was a member of the diocesan College of Consultors. During his tenure as pastor in Fremont, Zacharias was an integral part of the leadership for Saint Joseph Central Catholic High School. In February 2017, Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of the Diocese of Toledo appointed Zacharias to serve as the 24th pastor of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish. St. Michael's School is located on the church campus on Bright Road. Students at the private school range from preschool to eighth grade. Thomas placed Zacharias on administrative leave immediately upon news of the charges. "The Diocese has been informed of the grave and reprehensible charges of a sexual nature, with minors and adults, and is cooperating fully with law enforcement," the Diocese said. Thomas expressed his "revulsion" at the charges. "I am profoundly shocked and grieved to learn of these charges against one of our priests. The Church cannot and will not tolerate any such behavior and takes any sexual abuse or misconduct on the part of a cleric with the utmost seriousness," the bishop said. "As we await the outcome of the criminal investigation, our prayers go out to anyone affected by this situation." "These are the first such allegations to be raised against" Zacharias, the Diocese said. Zacharias made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Toledo on Tuesday. He is being held in federal custody without bail. Conviction of coercion and enticement carries a penalty of 15 years in prison and/or a fine. Conviction of sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking of an adult by force, fraud or coercion carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison.