Trusted youth minister held as molester

August 4, 2007

Adapted from the Philadelphia Daily News

By most accounts, the man was a model youth minister at his church. Parishioners young and old were naturally drawn in by his warm and friendly personality and delightful musical talents.

He was so well-liked—and trusted—at the church that some parents let their kids hang out and even sleep over at his house.

But that goodwill was replaced by fury and outrage when he was arrested, accused of molesting five teens over the past year.

One of his alleged victims flagged down a bike cop to share anguished details of the assaults, prompting four other victims to come forward, a special victims unit policeman said.

The alleged victims are all boys, ages 13 to 16. They told investigators that the assaults occurred inside the church—where the man sometimes taught a kung-fu class—and at his home a block away, the policeman said.

The 39-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, corrupting the morals of a minor, simple assault, indecent assault and recklessly endangering the welfare of a child.

News of the arrest shook the close-knit church to its very foundation.

More than two dozen congregants gathered in the church's humid, stifling basement recently to express their concerns and seek some sort of explanation from the church pastor.

The meeting started off calmly, as residents greeted each other with smiles and embraces. The pastor said a short prayer and delved into the uncomfortable topic at hand.

The pastor said he learned of the molestation allegations from a volunteer youth worker who had been informed that three teens claimed to be victims.

"We took immediate steps to ensure that no youth were with [the youth pastor] that evening," the pastor said, adding that the accused has been fired.

The 39-year-old had been a member of the church for several years but was hired as a youth minister early this year, the pastor said.

His duties included working with the choir, organizing movie nights and counseling some teens, said a fellow youth minister, who didn't want to be identified.

Before he was hired, the pastor said, the church completed a state criminal background check and a child-abuse clearance.

The pastor admitted during the meeting that the 39-year-old had previously been convicted of receiving stolen property. He had also been arrested on drug charges, court records show.

Ironically, the pastor said, the former youth minister attended a recent seminar the church held on sexual abuse prevention.

Church officials last night promised counseling for everyone in attendance, but the meeting soon dissolved as tension, frustration, and emotional pain took hold.