The defense attorney for a Strongsville priest with Geauga County ties facing federal charges is seeking a continuance for the trial and all related deadlines.
The priest, Robert McWilliams, 40, is facing charges of two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, three counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of transportation of child pornography, one count of receipt and distribution of visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and one count of possession of child pornography.
McWilliams is a former seminarian at St. Helenâs Catholic Church in Newbury Township.
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In August, U.S. Court for the Northern District of Ohio Judge Sara Lioi set a trial date of Feb. 18, 2021, and a change of plea deadline for Dec. 11. Those dates were set after defense attorney Robert A. Dixon asked for and was granted a continuance. At that time, Dixon cited added challenges of preparing a case due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.