Police arrested Partin, 50, at the school after receiving an anonymous call citing abuse. After attempting to prevent police from conducting interviews with students, Partin was charged with 1st degree sexual abuse and obstructing government operations. Source: The Anniston Star 1/21/96
Minister Admits To Sodomy. Although minister and school volunteer Marshall David Cumbie pleaded guilty to sodomizing a boy in '95, he is protected in a plea agreement from spending extra time in prison.
Charges stem from an incident said to have occurred on a camping trip in '95 to the Sardine area of Escambia County.
Cumbie, pastor of Bon Secour Assembly of God Church, was sentenced to a 10-year split sentence. The plea agreement contends that Cumbie spend 1 year in prison in a sexual rehabilitation program for the Baldwin County charge of 2nd degree sodomy, followed by 5 years supervised probationÑwhich is to be concurrent with an identical sentence for the Escambia county crime. District Court Judge Bradley Byrne ordered Cumbie take 2 polygraph tests yearly until his sentence is served, pay $1,500 to the Alabama Crime Victim's Compensation Fund and pay for his victim's counseling costs.
"I never suspected him," said the victim's mother. "But that's exactly what molesters work toward." Source: Mobile Press Register 3/7/96
Rabbi Israel Grunwald and Friedlander were arrested in December at Los Angeles International Airport. Charges against the New York rabbi have been dropped. Source: San Francisco Chronicle 1/20/96
Two Molest Suits Settled. The Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco has settled 2 molest suits against Monsignor Patrick O'Shea for an undiclosed amount. Nine men accused O'Shea of molesting them more than a dozen years ago. Source: San Francisco Chronicle 2/13/96; San Francisco Examiner 2/13/96
Charges Reinstated Against Priest. After 11 charges of oral copulation and lewd conduct with minors were reinstated against Rev. Gary Timmons, 3 new charges of committing lewd and lascivious acts with minors were filed.
The 11 charges had been dropped when a county judge ruled that the statute of limitations had expired. Prosecutors appealed, citing recent laws that would allow the charges to stand.
Timmons, who is free on bail, allegedly molested 2 boys, then 13, during camping trips in 1989. The civil lawsuit against Timmons and 2 other priests by 15 men who claim to have been molested as children was settled for $2.5 million. Source: San Francisco Chronicle 3/23/96; 1/20/96, San Jose Mercury News Service 3/24/96; 3/22/96
Court Rules Church Not To Blame. The 4th District Court of Appeals in San Diego ruled out negligence on the church's behalf in a molestation suit, stating the church is not responsibe for the priest's sexual past.
The ruling overturned a Superior Court judge's decision to let the case against the church go to trial. A civil lawsuit against Rev. Emmanuel Omemaga and the Catholic Church of San Diego was settled in late February for an undisclosed amount.
The visiting priest, 35, fled the country after confessing the molestation to a church official in '93. He faces 39 felonies, including forcible rape, oral copulation and unlawful intercourse with a minor.
The Philippine priest befriended the girl when he was an associate pastor at the Church of the Most Precious Blood in Chula Vista. He reportedly took the girl on outings that ended in sex in motel rooms or the church. Source: San Jose Mercury News Service 2/29/96
Bible Teacher Pleads Innocent. Director of the Children Seeking Christ Bible Ministry, Bert Gibbs, pleaded not guilty to 6 counts of molestation in December and was released on $150,000 bond.
Gibbs, 51, allegedly sexually abused 3 girls, ages 12, 14 and 17 between 1992-95. Gibbs taught bible classes out of his San Bernadino home for runaway and homeless children. Source: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin 1/7/96
Priest Cuts Deal. In a plea bargain okayed by a Superior Court judge, a Catholic priest accused of embezzling more than $150,000 in donations and bequests from St. Paul's parish will avoid time in prison.
Rev. Martin Greenlaw agreed to plead guilty to 21 felony counts of embezzlement, grand theft, money laundering and state tax evasion in exchange for a 1-year home detention sentence and restitution.
"If an African American kid uses a gun and steals $1,000, he goes to prison," said David Millstein, chief of special prosecution's for the San Francisco district attorney's office. "But if you steal $100,000 with a pen, you can get away with it."
The Archidiocese of San Francisco said a tentative settlement of $208,000 in restitution was reached in the civil suit against the priest. Source: San Jose Mercury News Service 4/11/96
Child Care Worker Denies Charges. Former church youth leader Gary Youtsey, 27, was charged with 2 counts of statutory sodomy and 1 count of deviant sexual assault involving 2 girls under age 17.
Youtsey was placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the trial, from the child care center in Kansas City where he worked for more than a year. He was freed after posting 10 percent of a $150,000 bond. Source: Kansas City Star 2/28/96
The minister, who held power of attorney for the 90 year old couple, admitted to strangling the 2 founding members of his nondenominational Fountain of Life Church in Central City.
Investigators said the couple confronted Canning about missing bank funds and the secret sale of their home. Source: Orlando Sentinel 2/15/96
Man Sought For Molesting Daughter. Sunset Park Church of God member Bill Barnes, Jr., of Wildwood, is being investigated on charges that he molested his daughter.
Cheryl Barnes, 17, was discovered in a snowdrift in New York City in February. Police said she was wearing a bullet-proof vest and had been missing for a month. Classmate Martha Jean Snyder, 18, is currently married to Barnes. Source: New Era 2/12/96
Busted On The Internet. Retired bible school teacher Arthur J. Garrod, 66, was arrested April 11 for cruising the Internet for illicit purposes and solciting sex from an undercover agent who posed as a 15 year old girl.
He was the third person arrested in three weeks for illicit and lewd internet activities. He was released on $5,000 bail. Source: San Jose Mercury News Service 4/12/96
Priest Given House Arrest. After pleading no contest to charges of soliciting sex, Rev. George Cooley, was given home incarceration for 60 days, 3 years probation and 100 hours of community service.
Cooley, the associate pastor of Guardian Angels Parish in Mount Washington, admitted he offered a decoy prostitute $20 in exchange for oral sex. He served 1 year for a probation violation in '94 after being charged with impositioning and molesting 4 boys in 1983-84. Source: San Jose Mercury News Service 2/23/96
Black, 28, a recruiter and job trainer for the Boy Scouts of America regional office in Urbana had been a supervisor in last summer's Boy Scout camp in Fairmount. Black faces up to 85 years in prison and a possible fine of $2.25 million for 9 charges of collecting, distributing and receiving hundreds of images--via the America Online computer serviceÑof boys having sex.
Boy Scouts of America maintain a requirement that members and leaders be religious. Source: The News-Sun 1/2/96
Priest Had Sexual Relationships With At Least 10 Youths. Pickneyville Methodist Church pastor John A. Weller was sentenced to 3 years in prison for sexually abusing 2 teenage boys.
Weller was charged in November with 1 count aggravated sexual criminal abuse and 1 count criminal sexual assault. With good time credit he could be paroled after serving as little as 14 months. Source: Southern Illinoisan 1/6/96
Vogler resigned as head of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in December and said he will plead guilty to the federal charges. The maximum sentence for receiving child pornography is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Source: USA Today 3/13/96; The Evansville Courier 2/22/96; The Boston Globe 2/23/96
No violation was witnessed, but streetwalkers told reporters that Swaggart has solicited sex from them in the past. Source: National Enquirer 1/2/96
Barry William Katzer, 33, met the boy, 13, through a computer chat room on the internet. Source: The Washington Post 2/1/96
Priest's Term Suspended. Prince George Circuit County Court Judge William B. Spellbring suspended the 16-year prison sentence imposed on Rev. Thomas S. Schaefer last October for sexually molesting 5 altar boys from 1966-82. Spellbring dismissed jail time and ordered supervised counseling for Schaefer at a center, run by Servants of the Paraclete, for priests with psychological and substance abuse problems.
The Catholic priest served less than 5 months before his sentence was reconsidered. Schaefer's age (70), poor health and time passed since the abuses occurred were cited as reasons for the judge's decision.
"Four and a half months is too short a time considering the damage he did to the victims and their families," said Beverly J. Woodard, chief of the circuit division for the state's attorney's office. "The victims made it clear to him the pain and suffering they've gone through."
Schaefer was 1 of 4 clergymen in the area charged with sexual abuse in Feb. '95. Rev. Edward T. Hartel, 59, was acquitted. Rev. Edward Pritchard, 51, pleaded guilty and was given probation. Rev. Alphonsus Smith, 71, was also given a 16-year prison sentence and has filed for reconsideration. Source: The Washington Post 3/7/96
Chapman, 70, was given probation 2 years ago for molesting a girl, 8, and ordered to stay away from children under 16. He also faces charges that he raped and molested a boy, 14, last year.
"The happiest sound I have ever heard was those handcuffs clanking on his wrists," the girl's mother told reporters. Source: Boston Globe 1/14/96
Jeanine F. Hemann, member and former part-time secretary for the church, said Schreffler fondled and inappropriately touching her on several occasions.
The pastor, the First Presbyterian Church, the United Presbyterian Church of the United States in Louisville, Kentucky and Heartland Presbyterian, which has control over First Presbyterian, have been named as defendants. Hemann is asking for "fair and reasonable" damages for psychological and physical injuries she suffered as a result of the alleged sexual assaults. Source: The Kansas City Star 1/30/96
The pastor of the All Faith Church Mission allegedly tried to lure a girl, 13, into a car as she was on her way to school. The girl fled to a nearby house and told construction crew workers about the man, who had drove off.
Baker was convicted of soliciting prostitution last August. He was given a 6-month sentence for indecent exposure in 1988. And in 1983, he was sentenced to 3 years in prison on an assault charge and 2 years for false imprisonment. Source: Omaha World Herald 3/27/96
The St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church pastor was indicted last February on charges of 4th degree criminal sexual contact with the girl and 2 other women. He was also charged with 2nd degree endangering the welfare of a child.
The incidents allegedly occurred in a confessional, a janitor's closet at St. Andrew's Elementary School and on the school playground. The suit which seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
At least 12 other women have come forward and accused the priest of molesting them between 1978-94. The statute of limitations has expired for incidents alleged by 8 of the women. Source: Sunday Times Union
The student, now 21, said the Bronx Catholic school principal, 48, lured him into a 5-year sexual relationship with gifts and a marriage promise when he was 12. Source: New York Post 2/24/96
Priest Has Trail Of Strange Behavior. Roman Catholic priest Rev. Eugene G. Emo, 60, was arraigned and released on $1,000 bail after pleading not guilty to a 2nd degree misdemeanor charge of sexually abusing an incapacitated adult.
Police were notified when the metally disabled man, 33, confided in a social worker.
Emo has been transferred 14 times and placed on administrative leave twice for similar allegations since his ordination in 1961.
The diocese of Rochester confronted Emo in '94 when a cleaning lady found handcuffs and photographs of young men in the church rectory. The priest was placed on limited assignment before being given a full-time chaplain post at Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
"If a priest breaks his vows with a woman, he's out of the priesthood," said David Scheible, a member of the St. Januarius parish council. "But if they play around with children or with another man, they just get transferred to another parish. This is a scandal in the church and in society today that's just beyond my comprehension." Source: Democrat And Chronicle 2/17/96, 2/22/96; Webster Herald 2/21/96
Woman Says Counseling Turned Physical. The DNA of a Queens priest is sought as evidence in a $375 million lawsuit filed by a disabled woman who claims she was sexually harassed by Our Lady of Hope Church pastor Nicholas Sivillo.
The Long Island woman said she sought spiritual counseling after developing multiple sclerosis. The priest allegedly plied her with wine and tranquilizers and told her that only he could help her because he was the lifeline to God.
"He said it was God's will that we would be together. No one could love me like he could. When sexual intercourse began, he would say it wasn't just him, it was God that was entering me," the victim testified.
Prosecutors are now seeking to compare Sivillo's semen with sample taken from a towel the woman says the priest used after having sex with her. Source: Daily News 1/16/96
James Adams was arrested in '94 after the discovery of a videotape depicting the abuse.
The suit filed in January by the children's mother against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, church president Gordon B. Hinckley and 4 other officials as defendants claims James Adams told at least 3 church officials, one of whom is Adams' father and bishop of the Beckley congregation, that he raped and sodomized his children. State law requires clergy, teachers and health care providers to report suspected child abuse to authorities. The church has made statements that it was not their duty to report the abuse.
"Apparently, the church doesn't believe protecting children from sex abuse is a compelling interest," said attorney Michael Sullivan.
Adams pleaded guilty and was sentenced in February to 76-185 years in prison and fined $30,000. Source: Charleston Daily Mail 1/17/96; The Charleston Press Gazette 2/21/96
Wearsch, 33, an associate pastor at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Medina, was 1 of 4 men arrested in an October sting operation. He was charged and found guilty of public indecency, a 4th degree misdemeanor, and fined $150 fine plus court costs. Source: Columbus Dispatch 2/23/96
Family Blames AIDS Death On Monks. An Ohio family filed a civil suit against the Columbus Diocese, claiming the church is responsible for the AIDS-related death of their mentally retarded son.
The lawsuit contends that Joey Busam contracted the virus from monks who raped and sodomized him while he lived at the church-funded home for retarded adult men. Source: Des Moines Sunday Register 3/3/96; Wisconsin State Journal 3/3/96; U.S. News & World Report 3/11/96
Riley, 79, received 10 years on each of 2 counts of lewd molestation and 1 count of forcible sodomy. He was acquitted on a 2nd sodomy charge. The incidents occurred in March 1995 when the girl and her sister, 3, stayed overnight with the preacher. Source: Tulsa World 1/11/96
The lawsuit claims the Diocese of Providence knew that Lepire was sexually assaulting and abusing the preteen boy repeatedly in the church and rectory.
The suit names Lepire, pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Coventry, the diocese, Bishop Louis Gelineau, former Auxillary Bishop Kenneth Angell, St. Mary Church in Cranston and Americo Lapati, former pastor of St. Mary, who is now deceased. Source: Hartford Courant 1/12/96
More Victims Accuse Priest Of Sex Abuse. Two men have filed a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse against Roman Catholic priest Rev. Michael LaMountain.
The men say LaMountain, 46, repeatedly molested them when they were teenagers. The cleric was suspended in '94 after similar allegations surfaced. The suit contends the diocese was aware of the incidents but took no action. Source: Boston Globe 12/20/95
The child psychologist and deacon of Parkdale Baptist Church was first accused of sexual abuse in 1985 by a 6 year old patient. No action was taken when the boy's mother told other parents, the church and even schools officials about the abuse. Plaisted was acquitted in 1986 when he told a jury that the child was a habitual liar and a pyromaniac who derived sexual excitement from setting fires.
The "respected" psychologist was eagerly supplied with young patients referred by the Corpus Christi school district and local pediatricians. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison last January for a federal offense of transporting a minor across state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity. Nearly a year later Plaisted pleaded guilty to 5 counts of aggravated sexual assault against 4 girls and was sentenced to 40 years in state prison.
Court records indicate Plaisted was so brazen that he escorted girls into church and fondled them under his coat during the sermon. Source: Houston Chronicle 1/14/96
A girl, 12, told police that her stepfather, 25, had been sexually assaulting her for 2 years. Police reports state the mother sent him to the House of God church to pray after each incident and that the pastor of the year old church allegedly knew of the abuse. Source: Milwaukee JournalÐSentinel
Salvation Army Director Jailed For Sex With Teen. Former Janesville Salvation Army Community Center director Gregory A. Tabbert was sentenced to 30 days in jail after pleading no contest to 2 counts of 4th degree sexual assault involving a minor.
A girl, 14, told authorities she and Tabbert, 28, began "dating" in January. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 2/8/96
Preacher Charged With Fondling. Criminal sexual charges were filed against Rev. Timothy L. Schoeneck, 33, after he confessed to police in March that he molested 2 St. Paul boys.
The Lutheran minister was charged with 1st degree sexual assault of a child and 2nd degree sexual assault of another child for alleged incidents that occurred more than 3 years ago. He was released on a $5,000 recognizance bond. Source: Kenosha News 3/25/96
Priest Released After Serving Short Term. The Diocese of La Crosse announced in March that Rev. Bruce Ball will not be reassigned with the Roman Catholic Church.
Ball was released from the Oshkosh Correctional Facility after serving a 5-year term for sexually exploiting a boy in '91 when he was pastor of St. Mary Help of Christians at Colby. Charges of sexual assault of a child and 2 counts of child enticement were dismissed. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wright pleaded guilty to 13 counts of indecency with 2 minor sisters, 3 counts of gross indecency with a boy under 16 and 1 count of indecently assaulting a woman, 18.
Wright admitted having naked mutual masturbation sessions in the church with the boy, then 14, and to ordering the girls to masturbate him. Source: Courier Mail 12/15/95
Sanders, 68, is charged with 4 counts of indecent assault, 1 count of gross indecency and 1 count of buggery. Three men allege that Sanders molested them between 1974Ð78 when they were seminary students, ages 12Ð14. He was released on his own recognizance after posting $2,500 bond. Source: The Province (Vancouver) 2/8/96
Children From A Shameful Legacy. Duplessis Orphans Committee founder and leader, Bruno Roy, is one of the leading voices in a movement by survivors of the Quebec mental hospital to win redress for the abuse and deprivation they suffered. Bruno--an illegitimate child placed in the orphanage at birth--was quickly classified as mentally retarded when the Roman Catholic-run institution received a $3 million grant in 1954 to transform the Mont Providence orphanage into an asylum overnight.
Hundreds of men and women who grew up in the orphanages-turned-asylums have horror stories that nuns and priests beat, suffocated and confined children in cells or straight jackets as methods of punishment. Many were wrongly classified as mentally retarded or clinically insane and committed to mental hospitals run by the religious order.
Justice Minister Paul Begin announced to the Duplessis committee in February that no criminal charges would be laid in the cases of 321 Quebec orphans who say they were sexually or physically abused between 1945-60 in 6 institutions. Charges cannot be acted upon because 52 of the alleged abusers are dead and 42 others cannot be found or positively identified.
Joseph Martin spent nearly 20 years at St. Jean de Dieu (renamed Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine) hospital. He said he was sodomized so often that he has had to have reconstructive surgery to repair his rectum. Martin lost an eye while at St. Jean, a monitor pierced it with a knife when he threatened to report the man for raping another boy.
Alice Quinton recalls having to clean the cells of the most violent patients. When she was 17, a urine soaked cloth was placed over her face for several hours while confined in a straightjacket and bound to a matress. Source: The Weekend Sun (Vancouver) 1/6/96
Priest Jailed For Sex Acts. Catholic priest Rev. James Scoles, 63, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for sexually abusing 4 altar boys while serving as priest at St. Basil's parish in Brantford from 1971-82 and at Holy Rosary in Milton, Ontario in 1983.
Scoles pleaded guilty to 3 counts of indecent assault and 1 count of sexual assault. Source: The Spectator 2/10/96, 2/13/96
The General Synod member was sentenced to 3 and 1/2 years in jail for assaulting 7 boys.
Prosecutors said Knight preyed on boys after encouraging them to stay overnight at his home. The victims' mothers approached church officials about the allegation in 1985, but did not inform the police under the assumption the church would take care of it. The Guardian 3/9-10/96