Joel Wright, Former Seminarian, Sentenced to 15 Years in Child Sex Case

10 TV
July 1, 2016

http://www.10tv.com/article/joel-wright-former-seminarian-sentenced-15-years-prison-child-sex-case


SAN DIEGO

A former Ohio seminarian who pleaded guilty to trying to adopt or purchase infants from Mexico to sexually molest them has been sentenced to 15 years.

Friday’s sentencing in San Diego comes after Joel Wright, 23, pleaded guilty in April to a federal charge of attempted enticement of a minor. He was also sentenced to lifetime supervision .

Beginning in November 2015, Wright placed Craigslist ads for a Tijuana tour guide, and then told a cooperating witness who responded that he wanted a baby girl for sex. He confided that he wanted to “adopt/own a baby girl and I want to have intercourse with her after I own her but don’t be telling people that." Wright continued, "I won’t pay until I have seen the baby and I will pay the parents then…the cheapest baby under 3 would be good.”

Wright acknowledged sending explicit emails describing his desires to assault children, that included infants up to the age of 4.

The person he contacted was cooperating with federal agents and Wright was arrested when he flew into San Diego in January while en route to Tijuana. There, he believed he would film and eventually sell videos of himself raping at least three children under the age of three. He was carrying $2,000 in cash along with baby clothes, lubricant, two cell phones, sleep aids, toys and candy in his luggage.

Wright is a former student of Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

The court recommended that Wright should be sent to FMC (Federal Medical Center) Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts. which would be closer to his family.

Statement from Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton, Diocese of Steubenville:

Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton of the Diocese of Steubenville expressed satisfaction that the case against Joel Wright was swiftly adjudicated.

The bishop is grateful, also, that Wright was thwarted before any harm could be done.

In this Year of Mercy, as declared by Pope Francis, Bishop Monforton said that it is necessary to continue to pray for Wright.