Tag Archives: child abuse

Bay City, Michigan’s CBS affiliate reports: A Clare County pastor has been charged with criminal sexual conduct for his alleged sexual contact with a minor, according to the Clare County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office said it received a report of second-degree criminal sexual conduct on March 5 in the village of Farwell, located in Clare County. The victim, a …

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports: The former Maryville Apostolic Christian Academy middle school teacher convicted of sexually abusing a teenage girl who attended the school will serve six years in prison. Joseph “Kade” Abbott will not be eligible for parole and must register as a sex offender. Abbott was charged in 2023 with three counts of sexual assault by an …

The Associated Press reports: The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse dating back decades, in what an attorney said was the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese, it was announced Wednesday. After the announcement of the agreement in principle, Archbishop José H. Gomez [screenshot] said in …

Patch Rockville Centre reports: The Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre (DRVC) and its parishes have announced a proposed global settlement with hundreds of sex abuse survivors, who allege they were abused as children at the DRVC’s parishes, churches, and schools, lawyers for survivors announced on Thursday. The settlement is based on DRVC’s parishes filing for a $320 million bankruptcy, and …

Law & Crime reports: A Louisiana jury convicted a former “Survivor” contestant and pastor – who started a Christian school – of child cruelty on Monday. Jurors took just an hour to convict John Raymond, 62, in a St. Tammany Parish court after a six-day trial. The Slidell Police Department arrested Raymond in April 2022 on three counts of cruelty …

Florida Today reports: A former Palm Bay pastor who police said had ongoing sexual relations with at least two teen members of his congregation — including in the church bathroom, office and passenger van — has been sentenced to live out the remainder of his days in state prison. Roberson Douge, 44, who ministered at the Apostolic Church of Christ …

The Christian Post reports: A lawsuit filed against MorningStar Ministries earlier this month accuses founder Rick Joyner [photo], along with several top officials of the organization and multiple other staff members, of gross negligence for allegedly engaging in the cover-up of multiple incidences of sexual abuse in the ministry. The lawsuit names as defendants: Joyner, MorningStar Fellowship Church, Joyner’s second …

The Central Jersey News reports: A 61-year-old pastor at a Throop Avenue church has been charged with sexually assaulting a child. Roby D. Cruz-Hernandez, of the Somerset section of Franklin, a pastor at Iglesia Pentecostal El Mesias, was arrested at his home and charged with sexual assault, a second-degree crime, and endangering the welfare of a child, a third-degree crime, …

Oklahoma City’s Fox affiliate reports: The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) arrested a man in Duke for first-degree rape and child sexual abuse. According to OSBI, the bureau was requested on July 19 to assist in a case regarding sexual assault. Damion Surles, 40, was identified as the suspect who allegedly interacted inappropriately with a minor. Surles was arrested …

Charlotte’s NBC affiliate reports: A local religious leader is facing charges for not reporting crimes against children. The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office says an investigation began on May 30 for a string of sexual assault allegations involving minors that spanned over several years. Kenny Parker, the pastor of Straitway Baptist Church in Albemarle, was charged for three counts of failing …

From the Justice Department: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the arrest of JUSTIN HEATH SMITH, an adult film actor who uses the stage name “Austin Wolf.” SMITH is charged …

CBS News reports: The Diocese of Sacramento announced that they had officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It comes months after the diocese announced its intentions to file for bankruptcy in the wake of more than 250 lawsuits claiming sexual abuse by clergy and other staff. In a statement, Bishop of Sacramento Jaime Soto said the filing was the …

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports: A new memorial stone in Yakima’s Calvary Catholic Cemetery is meant to prompt “quiet reflection and prayer” for clergy sex abuse victims. It also has generated criticism from statewide victims’ advocates and a demand to update the list of diocesan sex offenders. Yakima Bishop Joseph Tyson [photo] dedicated the monument. The granite memorial, on the south …

Click Orlando reports: Orlando police responded to a preparatory school in Orlando on Thursday following reports of a pastor “whipping” students with a belt during class. News 6 found police outside the school near 1960 Bruton Blvd. responding to a call about a “general disturbance.” A parent told News 6 that his son was one of eight students struck by …

Tampa’s NBC affiliate reports: A Department of Corrections chaplain was arrested on multiple child sex charges, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). Robert William Austin, 58, of Sanderson, was allegedly sending explicit messages to a “14-year-old girl,” who happened to be an undercover detective, according to the CCSO. Austin allegedly knew of the “juvenile’s” age but continued to …

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports: A local Catholic priest called Westlake Police Department to report “a disturbing incident” involving Luis Jesus Barajas, 76, who was visiting the area and performing spiritual ceremonies in Spanish for Hispanic residents in the area. Barajas was driven to a home in Westlake on Oct. 10 to bless a 15-year-old girl who is undergoing chemotherapy. …

Springfield’s CW affiliate reports: A former pastor from McLeansboro has been sentenced to prison for grooming charges. On October 19, 28-year-old Garrett S. Biggerstaff was sentenced to a maximum three years in prison with the Illinois Department of Corrections for one count of grooming. Biggerstaff was also fined $10,000 and must make restitution to the victims in his case. The …

Cincinnati’s NBC affiliate reports: A pastor from Covington has been arrested and accused of sexually abusing a child at a church, according to Covington police. The investigation began when police received a report of sexual abuse from a child. An investigation revealed the abuse allegedly took place at the Ministerio Jesus Liberta Church in Covington late last month. During the …

The Beaverton Valley Times reports: A Beaverton pastor was jailed last week after being accused of inappropriately touching two young girls who were members of his congregation. A Washington County grand jury indicted Christopher Michael Pruitt, 39, of Beaverton on six counts of first-degree sexual abuse and two counts of third-degree sexual abuse Wednesday, Oct. 11. Pruitt allegedly touched two …

The Indianapolis Star reports: A former English teacher and volleyball coach at Fishers Christian Academy was arrested on Friday and is accused of sexual misconduct with a student, according to court records. Stephen Ayon, 34, is facing three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, three counts of child seduction and one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors. …