A leader of the Boy Scouts in Howard County has been taken into custody and faces charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor, as reported by law enforcement officials.
A 56-year-old man, James Alan Soltysiak, is currently in custody at the Howard County Detention Center without bond following allegations of sexually assaulting a teenager.
For the last five years, Soltysiak has served as a Boy Scout leader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ellicott City; however, authorities indicate that the allegations of abuse are not connected to his position there.
Authorities report that the individual involved revealed the mistreatment, which started in May, to a reliable adult in mid-October. An adult reached out to law enforcement, prompting detectives to initiate an investigation that culminated in Soltysiak’s arrest last week.
Soltysiak faces serious allegations including second-degree rape, sexual abuse of a minor, and second-degree assault.
Authorities report that, although there is no evidence suggesting additional victims, they urge anyone with relevant information to step forward.