Assaults and Sexual Crimes 04/07/2023

(April 6) Catholic Church In Maryland Slammed After Sex Abuse Report | Baltimore, MD

While the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore has long touted its transparency in publishing the names of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse, a report released this week by the Maryland attorney general’s office raises questions about the integrity of the church's list.

Following the report’s long-awaited release Wednesday, victims and advocates called on the Baltimore archbishop to address discrepancies — their latest demand for transparency in a decadeslong fight to expose the church’s coverup tactics.

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(April 6) Chalmette Pastor Rearrested, Accused Of Sex With 2nd Teen Victim: State Police | Chalmette, LA 

A Chalmette pastor arrested in March after he was accused of sexually abusing a teenager, now faces new allegations after State Police investigators identified a second victim.

The Rev. Milton O. Martin III was arrested Wednesday and booked with indecent behavior with a juvenile, said Trooper Kate Stegall, spokesperson for the agency. He is accused of having "sexual relations in 1991 with a 14-year-old," Stegall said.

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(April 6) North Las Vegas Pastor, Wife Indicted For Alleged Sexual Assault, Child Abuse | Las Vegas

A North Las Vegas pastor and his wife have been indicted by the Clark County Grand Jury accused of sexual assault and child abuse on or between 2012, and 2014, the Clark County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday.

Bobby Cornealius Smith a pastor at New Beginnings Church in Las Vegas was accused of sexually assaulting multiple victims over 10 years ago after one person reported it to police in August 2022.

A grand jury has now indicted him on one felony count of attempted sexual assault, 9 counts of sexual assault, and one count of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.

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(April 5) CA Student Minister at Acts 29 Church Arrested on Child Sex Assault Charges | CA

A student ministry pastor at a California church affiliated with the Acts 29 Network has been arrested on three charges of child sexual assault.

Michael Sasser, 40, was arrested on March 23, after turning himself in at the Modesto Police Department in central California. He is being held on three charges, including forcible sexual penetration, continual sexual abuse of a child, and lewd and lascivious acts with a child.

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(April 5) Modesto man with church youth group tie charged with molesting family member | Modesto, CA

A Modesto man who has served in a leadership role over student ministries at his church has been charged with molesting a family member.

Michael Sasser, 40, was charged last month with three counts of sexually abusing a child, including the continual sexual abuse of a child.

According to the criminal complaint, the crimes are alleged to have occurred during a period of months in 2022 when the victim was 14 years of age or younger.

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