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More Charges Considered Against Former Athens Co. Priest
By: Susan Tebben
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ATHENS — The case of a Glouster priest charged in connection with an admitted sexual relationship with a minor will move from municipal court, and could see more charges as officials gather more information.
Henry Christopher Foxhoven, 45, was charged with eight counts of sexual battery, the Athens County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday. The charges stem from a relationship with a minor female, which Foxhoven admitted to officials with the Diocese of Steubenville.
The former priest of Holy Cross in Glouster and St. Mary of the Hills in Buchtel, appeared in Athens County Municipal Court to receive $1 million bond, but the case will now be moved to Athens County Common Pleas court, since felony cases are not typically tried in municipal court.
Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said the case would either be resolved with a bill of information, in which Foxhoven would waive the right to an indictment, or it will be presented to a grand jury for indictment “some time within the next 30 days.”
The charges could change as the case goes forward. Blackburn said investigators are still gathering evidence and information on the case, but the charge of sexual battery is a good starting point considering Foxhoven’s position of authority over the female.
“Sexual battery is the appropriate charge for when a cleric of any denomination sleeps with a minor who is a member of that church,” Blackburn said. “Certain relationships have a level of dominance or control, or the ability to influence the other person’s capability of consent.”
According to court documents, the alleged conduct took place with the minor female between August 17 and October 25. The minor is a member and altar server of Holy Cross in Glouster, one of Foxhoven’s two parishes. Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith said the female was a minor, but of the age of consent, which in Ohio is 16.
The Diocese of Steubenville reported Foxhoven to the sheriff’s office on Oct. 27, and Blackburn said the diocese has been cooperative during the investigation.
Foxhoven is currently being housed at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.