Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Father Sam Slocum will not serve any jail time following his conviction for having an inappropriate relationship with a teenage boy while he was pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Bradford and Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church in Lewis Run. Slocum was sentenced this morning to two years’ probation. District Attorney Ray Learn tells WESB and The Hero Slocum has also been ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors and no contact with the victim or his family. He has also been ordered to pay a $300 fine, do 100 hours of community service and provide a DNA sample. Last month a jury found Slocum guilty of concealment of the whereabouts of a child and corruption of minors. Following the verdict Bishop Donald Trautman said Slocum will not return to active ministry. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Father Sam Slocum was found guilty of three charges and not guilty of two following his trial in McKean County Court. A jury found him guilty of a felony count of concealing the whereabouts of a child, and misdemeanor and summary counts of corruption of minors, according to McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn. Slocum was found not guilty of a felony count of interference of custody of children and a misdemeanor count of loitering and prowling at nighttime, according to Learn. A sentencing date hasn’t been set yet. The 60-year-old priest was suspended from his duties at St. Francis and Our Mother of Perpetual Help churches after the charges were filed in April. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The jury in the trial of Father Sam Slocum has started its deliberations. Slocum is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old boy, and is charged with corruption of minors, interfering with custody of a child and concealing the whereabouts of a child. The 60-year-old priest was suspended from his duties at St. Francis and Our Mother of Perpetual Help churches after the charges were filed in April. Slocum’s attorney contends his client didn’t do anything criminal, but used poor judgment. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Two new priests are coming to Bradford. On July 29, Father Raymond Gramata will be replace Father Leo Gallina as pastor of St. Bernard’s Church. Gallina is retiring. Gramata is currently pastor of St. Agatha’s Parish in Meadville. Father Stephen Collins will be coming to St. Francis of Assisi and Our Mother of Perpetual Help churches to fill in for Father Sam Slocum, who was suspended in April after criminal charges were filed against him. Collins is currently the administrator at St. Anthony’s Parish in Sheffield and chaplain at Warren State Hospital.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director During a hearing this morning, Father Sam Slocum’s lawyer asked that the charges against his client be dismissed because using “bad judgment, especially with 20/20 hindsight, is not in the criminal code.” District Judge Rich Luther did dismiss a charge of criminal trespass but bound to court charges of interference with custody of children and concealment of the whereabouts of a child. Slocum is accused of allowing a 15-year-old boy to be at his house and the rectory in Lewis Run after the boy’s mother said she didn’t want her son there. Both the boy and his mother testified during the hearing that lasted nearly two hours. Slocum did not take the stand. The mother testified that she wrote a letter to Slocum after learning that her son was going to see the priest when he was grounded. She said at first she was not concerned about her son spending time with Slocum, but she eventually did get concerned that the boy was spending too much time with S...

A charge of trespassing against Father Sam Slocum has been dismissed following a preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Rich Luther this morning, but charges of interfering with the custody of children and concealment of the whereabouts of a child have been bound to court. Slocum is accused of allowing the boy to be at his house and the rectory in Lewis Run after the boy’s mother said she didn’t want her son there without another adult present. The alleged incidents happened between January 1 and March 29. We'll have more on this story later today.

Father Sam Slocum was arraigned today on charges related to an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old boy. Slocum, who turns 60 on Saturday, appeared before District Judge Rich Luther at around 1 o’clock this afternoon on charges of interfering with the custody of children and concealment of the whereabouts of a child. He was released on bond with the stipulation that he not have any contact with the victim, his family or any other minors. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 20. Slocum is accused of communicating with the boy after his mother said she didn’t want them to be in contact. The alleged incidents happened between January 1 and March 29. Bishop Donald Trautman placed Slocum on a leave of absence while the case makes its way through the court system.

The Diocese of Erie has suspended Father Sam Slocum, who is facing criminal charges for having inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old boy after his mother prohibited it. Bishop Donald Trautman says the 59-year-old priest has been relieved of his duties and, in a brief statement, said the charges are “devastating, if true.” State police say Slocum gave the boy expensive gifts, including an iPhone and a laptop computer so the teen could contact the priest despite knowing the boy's mother had forbid it. Police say Slocum told them he knowingly contacted the boy anyway. Slocum has agreed to surrender to authorities at an undisclosed place and time on Friday.

Father Sam Slocum will voluntary surrender to authorities on Friday. An arrest warrant was issued after state police filed criminal charges against Slocum last Friday. Slocum is facing felony charges of interference with custody of children and concealment of the whereabouts of a child in connection with incidents from January 1 through March 29. Today, police said an agreement has been reached between the McKean County District Attorney’s Office and Slocum’s lawyer saying that the priest will surrender at an undisclosed place and time on Friday.

A criminal complaint against Father Sam Slocum has been filed with District Judge Rich Luther’s office. According to online court records, Slocum is charged with interference with custody of children and concealment of whereabouts of a child, both third-degree felonies; corruption of minors; defiant trespassing; and loitering and prowling at night. State police filed the charges in connection to incidents on January 1.