Assaults and Sexual Crimes 05/13/2023

(May 11) US Catholic Cleric Backed Out Of $1M Settlement With Sexual Abuse Victim | LA

A US Roman Catholic cleric who admitted in criminal court to sexually abusing a child before his ordination backed out of a seven-figure settlement agreement with his victim after learning he would have to register as a sex offender, the Guardian has confirmed.

The deacon in question – attorney Virgil Maxey “VM” Wheeler III – died earlier this year after writing a will expressing his desire to donate much of his money to prominent institutions, mostly in the Louisiana community in which he worked. His victim is now calling on the beneficiaries to reject those gifts from his abuser.

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(May 9) Former Olive Branch Pastor Accused Of Sex Crimes Against Teenage Boys | Olive Branch, MS

A Mississippi pastor has been placed on a leave of absence after being arrested and accused of molesting several underage boys as far back as 2015.

Just last week, a handful of complaints accused 44-year-old Daniel Harris, a pastor at Olive Branch Christian Church, of committing sex crimes against teenagers while they were being tutored.

Harris was arrested and charged Thursday, May 4.

Disturbing details reveal the alleged incidents that happened between Harris’ home and the church.

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(May 9) Diocese Of Oakland Files For Bankruptcy After Over 330 Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits | Oakland, CA

The Diocese of Oakland has announced it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in light of over 330 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse.

In a press release, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland says that the lawsuits have come after a new California statute allows claims that have expired to be filed. RCBO says that most of the claims are from the 1960s, '70s, and '80s by priests who have either died or are no longer active.

The release states that filing for Chapter 11 will allow "for the evaluation of the merits of each claim and gives claimants a say in the outcome and visibility into the proceedings and RCBO's finances."

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(May 6) Catholic Diocese offers $250,000 to girl who was raped during Mass in Stark parish restroom

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has offered to pay $250,000 to a girl who was raped in a restroom at Little Flower Catholic Parish during a Holy Thursday Mass last year.

The girl was 7 years old at the time. Her attacker, Benjamin Perkins of Lake Township, was arrested that night.

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(May 5) Secret No More: 3 Priests From Sex Abuse Report Identified

he Banner has uncovered three of the ten clergy members whose names were redacted from the Maryland attorney general’s report on child sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

When the mother in suburban Atlanta remembers those days, the warning signs were there.

There were fights when she drove her son to classes for his first Communion. He begged her not to leave him. The family felt unsettled by a Christmas letter from the priest they hardly knew.

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