Former Ohio Youth Pastor Pleads Guilty to Sex Charges
A former Ohio youth pastor has pleaded guilty to seven sex charges involving contact with underage girls.
Mark Cuprik II, 23, of Poland, Ohio, was charged with sexual battery, pandering sexually oriented material, disseminating material harmful to juveniles, importuning, and sexual imposition in connection with incidents with two victims from 2017 to 2021.
Cuprik was formerly a youth pastor at the Boardman campus of Victory Christian Center.
Prosecutors are recommending a four-year prison sentence. He entered the guilty plea in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Cuprik also must register as a Tier-3 sex offender, which means, under Ohio law, he will be required to register every 90 days for the rest of his life and if he moves to a new neighborhood or community, the new location will be notified of his status.
According to an indictment, Cuprik engaged in sexual conduct with a 15 year old, and the investigation also uncovered a second young victim with whom he shared obscene material.
Victory Christian Center said earlier this year that Cuprik was removed from his position at the church in January after the initial allegations of misconduct were brought forward, according to WKBN.
He remains free on bond until sentencing, scheduled for Feb. 7.
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