Former St. Michael the Archangel pastor, Rev. Michael Zacharias, has been found guilty on all five counts in the federal sex-trafficking trial.

The Diocese of Toledo released the following statement:

The Diocese of Toledo has learned that Rev. Michael Zacharias has been found guilty of all five counts brought against him.

Bishop Daniel Thomas had placed Zacharias on administrative leave on August 18, 2020 immediately after his arrest. The Diocese of Toledo fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout this process.

With the conclusion of the federal trial and the conviction of Zacharias, the diocese is now free to address this matter according to Canon (Church) law. The case will be presented to the Holy See who will make the final judgment, which will lead to a determination of his status as a priest.

As Bishop Thomas asserted, “The acts of which Rev. Michael Zacharias has been found guilty are reprehensible, morally deplorable, and manifestly contrary to the dignity due to each human person and the dignity of the priesthood. The Church cannot and will not tolerate any such behavior and takes any sexual abuse or misconduct on the part of a cleric with the utmost seriousness.”

He further remarks, “Considering all that victims have suffered, all that the Church has endured due to the acts of her own members, all that we have done to protect children, to ensure a safe environment and to guard the integrity of the priesthood, still, sometimes, evil has its way. Our society and Church together must bring evil into the light, wherever it is found.”

The Diocese of Toledo remains vigilant in ensuring the protection of children and providing a safe environment for all young people, as well as ensuring the dignity and integrity of the priesthood.

Any allegations of sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, staff member or volunteer affiliated with the Diocese of Toledo should first be reported to local law enforcement where the abuse is alleged to have occurred. Please also report any such allegation to the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at 419-214-4880

The Findlay Police Department confirmed a body was discovered floating in a pond behind the Trenton Avenue Walmart in Findlay on Thursday afternoon.

Access to the pond is off Howard Street and the road was shut down while police investigated.

The Findlay Fire Department recovered the body from the water.

Lt. Hendren with the Findlay Police Department says the body is that of an adult white male and is under investigation.

The body was sent to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy and to determine cause of death.

A man who was fishing discovered the body and called 911.

In the video below WFIN News Director Matt Demczyk speaks with Lt. Hendren at the scene.

It has been communicated from Liberty-Benton Schools that a lockdown was due to an anonymous report to the Sheriff’s office of a weapon at Liberty-Benton High School.

Law enforcement reports the situation is under control and all students and staff are safe.

Other schools in Ohio have also received similar hoax calls.

Earlier a very heavy police presence at Liberty Benton High school was seen on the report of an active shooter.

Findlay City Schools were on lockdown too as a precaution, as well as other local schools.

UPDATE – The standoff ended at around 9:15 Monday night when police used a couple of gas rounds that convinced the subject to drop his gun and come out. Click here for more.

ORIGINAL STORY – Various law enforcement agencies are on the scene of S&S Landscaping on Olive Street in Findlay for an armed, barricaded individual. The situation began around 4:30 Monday afternoon.

In an interview around 6:15 with Findlay Police Chief Robert Ring, he indicated the man had a gun, was in a building on the site and threatening himself. Police are negotiating with the individual to surrender peacefully.

Chief Ring said that a domestic issue in Wood County triggered the standoff. Findlay Police were contacted by Wood County Sherrif’s office to assist as part of their investigation.

At the time of this interview, Chief Ring said no shots had been fired.

The Emergency Response Team, Crises Management Team, medics and negotiators are on the scene.

News Director, Matt Demczyk will update the story as it progresses.

UPDATE 6:15 P.M.  – The Findlay Police Department provided an update on the standoff at the Drury Inn & Suites on Trenton Avenue near Interstate 75.

At about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, the police department said the situation was continuing and people are asked to avoid the area.

Police responded to the hotel at around 9:30 Wednesday morning in reference to a domestic incident that began in St. Clair County, Michigan.

Police said a BOLO (be on the lookout) was put out for the suspect’s car which was seen at the hotel.

Officers attempted to contact the man and woman at the hotel but they refused to exit the room and barricaded themselves inside.

Negotiators from the police department have been in communication with both subjects and are still trying to resolve the situation.

STANDOFF UPDATE – As of 1:15 Wednesday afternoon the standoff continues at Drury Inn on Trenton Avenue.

WFIN spoke with a Captain who said this all started as a domestic situation in Michigan and a BOLO (be on the lookout) was put for the suspects car which was seen at the hotel here.

Get more in the video.

Findlay police confirm that negotiators are talking with a barricaded subject at Drury Inn & Suites on Trenton Ave. by I-75, trying to get him to come out.

We’re told it’s a domestic situation involving another person and it started around 9:30 Wednesday morning.

Nearby rooms on the floor at the Drury Inn have been evacuated, but the hotel has not been. Police have not said whether a weapon is involved.

Findlay City Schools are out for the summer and Findlay High School would be under lockdown if in session.

WFIN News is on the scene and will pass along more information as warranted.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol revealed at a news conference that a Bluffton Police Officer, Dominic Francis, was killed in the line of duty on Thursday morning.

A pursuit started in Marion County on U.S. 23 around 2 am when State Troopers observed an Infinity traveling at a high rate of speed. The pursuit continued to SR 15 and then on I-75 southbound. In an effort to stop the vehicle, Officer Francis attempted to deploy stop sticks when he was struck by the Infinity and killed. Three occupants in the Infinity traveled a short distance before exiting the car. One of the persons proceeded to steal a Toyota Prius at a residence near Bluffton. A second person was apprehended shortly after and a third person is still on the loose. That person is described as a young, thin, African-American male wearing black pants and a gray sweatshirt.

The Prius was eventually pulled over and stopped near Elyria. The person was arrested at that time.

Law Enforcement is asking the public if they see the suspect to call 419-423-1414 with information.

“This community lost a hero,” said Bluffton Police Chief Ryan Burkholder.

“He was an outstanding police officer and his heart was big.”

Burkholder said not only was Francis a police officer but he was very involved in the community as a teacher, coach and bus driver.

We will have additional information as we learn more.

Photo courtesy of the Bluffton Icon.

BLUFFTON — Deputies are on the lookout for three people who fled after a pursuit on Interstate 75 near Bluffton.

According to a press release from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, that agency and numerous other agencies are looking for the three people. Several roadways are closed in the Bluffton area, and law enforcement urges the public to stay out of the area.

Bluffton schools decided to close for the day, according to an alert from the school.

ODOT said Interstate 75  was shut down in both directions at State Route 103 in Bluffton.

If anyone sees any suspicious individuals in the area surrounding Bluffton, people are urged to call the sheriff’s office at 419-422-2424.

The statewide emergency drill previously scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled due to threat of potential severe weather across the state. The City of Findlay had planned to test the warning sirens as part of the Statewide Tornado Drill.

March 20-26 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Ohio.

Area residents are encouraged to still prepare for weather emergencies and to know the difference between storm watches and warnings.

For example:

A Tornado WATCH means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and near areas designated by the National Weather Service. Be ready to move to a place of safety if the watch is upgraded to a warning or if threatening weather approaches.

A Tornado WARNING means a tornado is imminent or has been sighted. Warnings indicate impending danger to life and property. Seek safe shelter immediately.

Watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service are automatically posted to the home and weather pages of WFIN.com, WKXA.com, and 1063TheFox.com. You can also sign up to receive text and email weather alerts by visiting GoFindlay.com.

The ENTIRE Village of Forest is on a WATER BOIL ADVISORY for the time being. Stay tuned for when the advisory is lifted.  Please tell your neighbors if you think they may not see the alert here.

Officials are asking residents to be patient and understanding as the maintenance crew is working diligently to get this fixed. You may have seen they were digging for a large share of the day trying to find the broken spot(s) at the corner of S. Patterson and W. Daisy streets.

Troy Roth, Findlay City Schools Superintendent, has sent a letter out to the FCS community cancelling classes for Friday, January 14 and Tuesday, January 18. In the letter, Roth states staffing shortages and student absenteeism. Monday, January 17 is a scheduled day off for students and staff to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 19. St. Michael the Archangel School  will also follow this schedule.

The letter goes on to say the buildings will be closed to thoroughly sanitize. Information is also provided regarding guidance for COVID protocols.

Letter can be read below.