Dec 6, 2007 / 09:51 am
A Catholic priest who is also a U.S. Navy chaplain will plead guilty Thursday to charges involving sexual misconduct.
Lt. Cmdr. John Thomas Matthew Lee, 42, faces a general court martial on charges of sodomy, aggravated assault, indecent assault, fraternization and conduct unbecoming a military officer.
It is unknown which charges he will plead guilty to, but if convicted on all charges he faces life without parole. All of the sexual offenses involve men, and the priest is also HIV-positive.
“He has entered into a pretrial agreement with the government that will substantially
reduce his exposure to confinement,” said Lee’s attorney David Sheldon. “He’s extremely remorseful about what happened and about his conduct, both as a chaplain and as an officer. He will take responsibility for what he has done.”