According to the attorney general, Poulson sexually assaulted one of the victims more than 20 times. The abuse happened at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Fryburg and Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs.
The sexual abuse usually happened on Sundays after the victim served as an altar boy at Mass.
Poulson assaulted his second victim at a remote hunting cabin that he owned with a friend in Jefferson County.
Since at least May 2010, the Diocese of Erie knew about Poulson’s sexual predator tendencies. However, the diocese did not report him to authorities.
In September 2016, the diocese responded to a grand jury subpoena and provided a secret memorandum dated May 24, 2010. In the memorandum, diocesan leaders confirmed complaints against Poulson’s inappropriate contact with minors. The priest admitted being “aroused” by a boy and shared sexually suggestive texts with numerous boys.
Investigators found evidence of other sexual abuse by the priest
AG Shapiro said, “The time of protecting powerful institutions over vulnerable children is over. Anyone who abuses kids will have to answer to my office.”
