A former Bradford priest waived a preliminary Thursday for sexual abuse allegations in Clarion, Crawford and Jefferson counties.
David L. Poulson, 64, of Oil City, served as a faculty member at Bradford Central Christian and as a weekend education staff member at St. Francis of Assisi from July 5, 1979, to June 9, 1982.
Attorney General Josh Shapiro reported Thursday that Poulson waived a hearing on allegations that he sexually abused two young boys for many years.
Poulson, who had been incarcerated in lieu of $300,000 bail since May 8, was freed Thursday when his bail was changed to 10 percent of $300,000. He posted the $30,000 bail and was released, court records indicate.
“Poulson, a Catholic priest in the Erie diocese for four decades until earlier this year, was charged this month with indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors,” stated a press release from Shapiro’s office. “Three of those counts are felonies. The charges were recommended by a statewide investigating grand jury, which found that Poulson sexually assaulted the boys while employed in active ministry as a priest by the Erie diocese.”
Shapiro described in further detail the allegations against Poulson.
“Poulson assaulted one of his victims repeatedly in church rectories and in a secluded cabin off the grid in Jefferson County,” Shapiro explained. “He made that victim go to confession and confess the abuse — to Poulson. This was the ultimate betrayal and manipulation by Poulson. Now, thanks to the work of the grand jury and our prosecutors and agents, we’re holding Poulson accountable for his crimes.”
Senior Deputy Attorney General Daniel Dye is prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about sexual abuse by any priest is asked to contact the Office of Attorney General’s Clergy Abuse Hotline at 1-888-538-8541, Shapiro said.
“The time of protecting powerful institutions over vulnerable children is over, and anyone who abuses kids will have to answer to my office,” said Shapiro. “We want to hear from you if you were abused by any priest or clergy member.”
