Hermosa Beach Priest Held After New Sexual Assault Charge Filed

A second sexual assault charge has been filed against a Greek Orthodox priest who police say made sexual advances on several teen-agers whom he counseled at a Hermosa Beach church youth group.

The felony sex charge was filed Thursday in South Bay Municipal Court against Stanley Adamakis, 47, for allegedly fondling a 16-year-old boy who belonged to the youth group at St. Cross Episcopal Church in Hermosa Beach.

Adamakis was housesitting at the boy’s home on Aug. 28 when he allegedly crawled into bed with the teen-ager and began to caress him, police said. Adamakis was charged earlier this month with making similar advances on a young man, age 18, while he was housesitting at another home on Dec. 17. He is also charged with two misdemeanors for allegedly providing alcohol to the two teen-agers.

The Greek Orthodox priest, who faces defrockment, was convicted in 1986 of molesting two Torrance brothers, ages 12 and 13. He served 78 days in County Jail and was placed on five years probation.

Adamakis, who had been free on $17,500 bail on the December allegation, surrendered Thursday in Torrance Superior Court for allegedly violating his probation. He is being held without bond pending a hearing before Judge Cecil J. Mills, who could sentence Adamakis to up to 10 years in prison for violating his probation.

He faces seven years if convicted on the new charges, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Ron Geltz.

Adamakis was brought to St. Cross and permitted to counsel teen-agers by a longtime friend and the church’s second-ranking official, Father Richard E. Wescott.

Wescott resigned Tuesday, saying he felt responsible for what had allegedly been done by Adamakis, even though he said he did not know about his fellow priest’s criminal record.

Detective Tom Bohlin of the Hermosa Beach Police Department said he learned about the sexual assault on the 16-year-old from another member of the youth group.

The boy did not come forward himself because he felt “shocked, embarrassed and confused,” Bohlin said.

The boy and his family were vacationing last August when they left their house in Adamakis’ care, Geltz said. The teen-ager flew home before the rest of his family, and Adamakis picked him up at the airport, Geltz said.

Adamakis and the youth allegedly drank beer together before going to sleep in separate beds. The priest allegedly crawled into the bed and began fondling the teen-ager the following morning, Geltz said.

Adamakis and his lawyer have declined to discuss the charges.