Assaults and Sexual Crimes 03/17/2023

(March 16) Albany Diocese Files For Bankruptcy As Hundreds Of Sex Abuse Suits Pile Up | Albany, NY

The Roman Catholic Diocese in Albany has reportedly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to contend with the financial fallout of hundreds of child sexual abuse lawsuits it faces.

“The decision to file was not arrived at easily and I know it may cause pain and suffering, but we, as a Church, can get through this and grow stronger together,” Bishop Edward Scharfenberger announced Wednesday, according to a Times Union report.

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(March 16) Former Youth Director At Pella Church Charged With Sex Abuse | Pella, IA

A former youth director at a Pella church faces multiple sex abuse charges.

Court records show Travis Albers inappropriately touched a minor. The arrest comes after an investigation late last year.

The Consistory of Trinity Church says the accusations do not involve any current or previous youth group members.

The Consistory fired Albers after his arrest on March 5.

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(March 16) Ex-Pastor Of Des Moines Church Charged With Sexual Exploitation | Dea Moines, IA

A former pastor at a Latino church in Des Moines has been arrested for allegedly trying to force a woman in his congregation into an intimate relationship.

Jose Artero, 47, is charged with assault with intent to commit sexual abuse and sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist. In Iowa, the law considers religious leaders as counselors. He was booked into the Polk County Jail Wednesday afternoon.

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(March 15) Former Minister Sentenced To 45 Years For Sexual Abuse | Kansas, TX

Joshua Burton Henley, a 34-year-old former minister for Churches of Christ in Kansas, Texas, Tennessee and Indiana, must serve 45 years in federal prison for sexual abuse.

U.S. District Judge Stanley Thomas Anderson finalized Henley’s sentence March 3 on eight convictions, including producing sexually explicit images of a minor, transporting and possessing child pornography, transfering obscene material to a minor and transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity.

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(March 12) Northeast Ohio Pastor Indicted For Sex Abuse Involving Minors | Geauga County, OH

A pastor in Northeast Ohio is currently facing charges after being indicted on Friday for sex crimes in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas.

Geauga County Prosecutor James Flaiz said 37-year-old Dennis Laferty, of Thompson Township, was indicted following alleged sexual abuse of minors between Nov. 30 2019 and Jan. 30 2023.

Flaiz confirmed to 19 News Laferty is a pastor of the Thompson United Methodist Church.

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