NEWARK, Ohio (AP) — A former director of a Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a young boy, becoming the second mentor from the organization to be convicted of sex crimes in the past two years.
James Russell, 66, pleaded guilty Monday to 25 sex-abuse charges involving a boy he mentored for several years at a Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter in central Ohio. On four more rape charges, Russell entered an additional plea in which he said he was innocent but sought to avoid trial.
Russell faces up to 144 years in prison, but prosecutors said they would recommend 10 years because of his age.
The victim, now 19, contacted authorities last year and accused Russell of abusing him from 1996 to 2003. Russell made incriminating statements to the victim while under police surveillance in May, according to court documents and police.