WINGHAM – Last fall, Huron County OPP charged a former youth pastor from Wingham with seven counts of sexual assault and seven counts of sexual exploitation. On Dec. 1 at the Goderich Court House, Simon Chiarello pleaded guilty to the charges.
In a previous press release, police stated that the charges stem from alleged incidents that have taken place last year against a teen-aged victim.
Chiarello, according to police, worked as a youth ministry director for a church, as well as a youth director for a faith-based youth program in Wingham.
The 29-year-old was arrested on Sept. 10, 2020 by members of the East Algoma OPP detachment.
Chiarello will return to court on Jan. 31, 2022 to set a date for sentencing.
Huron County OPP would like to remind victims of sexual assault that they are not alone. If you or someone you know requires support, there are local resources available to help. One such resource is Victim Services of Huron County; they can be reached at 519-600-4108.
