(November 5, 2024) – The Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Boy Scouts were both notified that Mr. James Soltysiak was arrested and charged last week with second-degree rape, sexual abuse of a minor, and second-degree assault with a listed offense date of May 1, 2024. Mr. Soltysiak is being held without bond. Howard County Police have now released a statement regarding the charges.
For the past five years, Mr. Soltysiak volunteered with the Boy Scouts group that meets at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ellicott City, Maryland. Howard County Police have stated that the reported abuse is unrelated to his role at OLPH. It is essential to clarify that Mr. Soltysiak was not affiliated with Our Lady of Perpetual Help School.
The Baltimore Area Scouts Council indicates that when it became aware of allegations of criminal activity and unsuitable behavior for adult leadership, it took action to revoke Mr. Soltysiak’s membership and eliminate access to safeguard our youth members. Mr. Soltysiak is also no longer eligible to work or volunteer in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and that includes Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
Prior to this incident, Mr. Soltysiak fulfilled all the screening and training requirements to serve as a volunteer in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and successfully cleared all background checks.
Police are releasing this information due to his proximity to minors, and while there is currently no indication there are additional potential victims, please encourage anyone who has information otherwise to come forward. Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to protecting children and helping to heal victims of abuse. We urge anyone who has any knowledge of any child sexual abuse to contact law enforcement and if clergy or other church personnel is suspected of committing the abuse, we ask that you also call the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection at 1-866-417-7469. If you have any other information relevant to this matter, please contact the Archdiocese Office of Child and Youth Protection at 410-547-5348.