State Crime Reports

Attorney General Madigan: Former Priest Ruled Sexually Violent Person


Daniel McCormack
Source: YouTube

Chicago —(ENEWSPF)—September 11, 2017.  Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced last wek that a Cook County judge found a former Chicago priest a Sexually Violent Person (SVP).

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Porter ruled that Daniel McCormack, 48, formerly a Roman Catholic priest and pastor of St. Agatha’s Church in Chicago, must remain in the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). McCormack was returned to the IDHS SVP Treatment and Detention Facility in downstate Rushville, Ill., pending a dispositional hearing on Nov. 27.

“Daniel McCormack has a history of repeated sexual abuse against children that was especially heinous given his status as a priest,” Madigan said. “I appreciate Judge Porter’s decision that prevents Daniel McCormack from potentially harming other children.”

McCormack pleaded guilty in 2007 to aggravated criminal sexual abuse for molesting five underage boys when he was serving as a priest in Chicago. He was defrocked following his conviction and has since been accused of abusing more than 20 boys during his time at St. Agatha Parish in North Lawndale. McCormack allegedly used his position as a priest, teacher and basketball coach to abuse boys in his care.

Under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act, Madigan’s office prosecutes cases seeking to commit offenders to the custody of IDHS. To be committed under the Act, a person must have been convicted of a sexually violent offense and suffer from a mental disorder. Prosecutors must also prove that the offender is likely to commit future acts of sexual violence if released from custody. Once committed to IDHS, offenders are re-evaluated on a regular basis to determine if they continue to meet the criteria for commitment as a sexually violent person.

Bureau Chief Joelle Marasco and Assistant Attorneys General Andrea Kirch and Mary Lacy handled the case for Madigan’s Sexually Violent Persons Bureau.

Source: www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov


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