UPDATED::Ada County pastor charged with sexual abuse of 15-year-old girl | Local News | idahopress.com

UPDATE::  An extraordinary breach of trust:' Boise pastor pleads guilty to sexually abusing girl

A Boise man who ran a church out of his home has pleaded guilty to molesting a teenage girl whose parents had asked him to help her with her anxiety.

Bret Welty, 48, admitted to sexual abuse of a minor Dec. 4 as part of a plea deal in which prosecutors dropped a charge of lewd conduct with a child.

Welty was the pastor of the now-defunct Hard Rock Revival Church, which was attended by both the 15-year-old victim and her parents. Prosecutor Erin Pittenger said in court the sexual abuse happened Aug. 9, after the girl's parents had sent their daughter to stay at Welty's home for the weekend.

An Ada County pastor has been charged with two felonies after police and prosecutors say he inappropriately touched a 15-year-old girl staying in his home earlier this month.

Bret Welty, 48, is charged with sexual abuse of a minor younger than 16 years old, and lewd conduct with a minor younger than 16 years old.
,,,
Bret Welty is accused of entering the girl’s guest room the night of Aug. 9 and touching her inappropriately for 30 minutes to an hour, until interrupted by his wife, Fouts said in court.

“The defendant confessed to his conduct,” Fouts said. “He stated that he’d struggled with such behavior before, although not with victims of this age, this young age.”

Ada County pastor charged with sexual abuse of 15-year-old girl | Local News | idahopress.com

UPDATED::Caldwell couple arrested in child abuse case part of faith-healing church | Complete news coverage | idahopress.com

 UPDATE::  Father in Kester sex abuse case sentenced to up to life in prison

Lester Kester Jr., a Caldwell father convicted of sexually abusing his daughters and another female relative, will be in prison at least until he’s 80 years old.

Kester, two weeks shy of turning 49, was sentenced to up to life in prison Wednesday on five lewd conduct charges. Thirty-one of those years will be served before he’s eligible for parole.

“I think that reflects the sentence you’ve imposed on your own children,” said 3rd District Court Judge Bradly Ford during the sentencing.

UPDATE::  Kester mother sentenced for failing to report husband's sexual abuse of daughters 

The mother accused of failing to report her husband's sexual abuse of their children was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, but will first serve a rider program.

Sarah Kester, 51, hung her head as 3rd District Court Judge Christopher Nye ordered her to first serve a rider program. She could serve a decade in prison, with four of those years fixed if she fails the rider program, he said.
,,,

The daughters are now in their teens and 20s, and one talked about being a mother, herself.

“I'm being the mother she could never be, and we don’t need her in our life anymore,” one daughter said.

The youngest victim said Sarah Kester did everything a mom was supposed to do “except protect your daughters.”

UPDATE::  Idaho faith healer accused of molesting 5 children pleads guilty, faces prison

A 48-year-old Canyon County man accused of molesting five children over two decades has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

Lester Kester pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd conduct with a child younger than age 16 in court on Wednesday.

Kester was charged in July with four felony counts of lewd conduct with a child younger than 16. In October, he was charged with a fifth count of lewd conduct with a child younger than 16 for abuse of another child that came forward. He faced up to life in prison on each count, if convicted.

Third Judicial District Judge Bradly Ford accepted Kester’s guilty plea after explaining that Kester was waiving some rights. Ford asked Kester directly if he did, in fact, commit these crimes. 

,,,

Kester’s wife, Sarah, 50, was accused of knowing about the alleged abuse and not reporting it. She was charged with felony injury to a child. Sarah Kester pleaded guilty though an Alford plea last month. In an Alford plea, she does not admit guilt, but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a jury to convict her.

A Caldwell mother arrested last week told deputies her religious beliefs prompted her to pray for her husband rather than tell police about his alleged sexual abuse of their daughters.

Sarah Kester and her husband, Lester Kester Jr., are affiliated with the Followers of Christ Church. The church, which has a prominent following in Canyon County and in Oregon, faces criticism for refusing medical care for children and adults in favor of faith healing.

After her July 11 arrest, Sarah Kester told deputies from the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office that she didn’t tell police about her husband’s alleged abuse because it was against her belief system to involve agencies such as law enforcement, child protection services, or counseling services into personal or family matters, according to a sheriff’s office press release.
,,,
Instead of contacting law enforcement, Sarah Kester told deputies she tried to protect her children by praying for “the demon” to leave Lester and keeping her husband busy with other tasks, according to a press release from the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the release, Lester Kester Jr. told detectives on July 11 that he had been consumed by a “bad guy” or a “demon” and admitted to various forms of sexual contact with all four of his daughters until they were approximately 10 to 12 years old.

Caldwell couple arrested in child abuse case part of faith-healing church | Complete news coverage | idahopress.com

UPDATED::Retired priest arrested on charges of sexual exploitation of a child | Idaho Press-Tribune Local News | idahopress.com

 UPDATE::  Retired Boise priest appeals 25-year sentence for child porn, drug crimes 

The Rev. William Thomas Faucher is appealing the 25-year prison sentence imposed on him by 4th District Judge Jason Scott on Dec. 21.

UPDATE::  Boise priest who lived in ‘world of Satanism and pornography’ sentenced to 25 years in prison

The Rev. W. Thomas Faucher, a longtime priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise who pleaded guilty to five felony crimes, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Faucher, 73, was accused of amassing thousands of child porn images and videos on his home computer — and pleaded guilty in September to sharing some of those images online. He apologized in the courtroom ahead of his sentencing at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise on Thursday.

“This is the crime that has the potential for both immediate and long-lasting consequences,” 4th District Court Judge Jason Scott said. “... I think there is a legitimate risk to the community.”

UPDATE::  Retired Boise priest reaches deal in child porn case, says he had alcohol-induced depression

A retired Boise priest accused of possessing thousands of images and videos of children being sexually abused — and sharing some of them online with others — won’t go to trial in October.

After reaching a deal with prosecutors, the Rev. W. Thomas “Tom” Faucher pleaded guilty Friday to five of the 24 charges against him, including two counts of distribution of sexually exploitative material, two counts of possession of sexually exploitative materials and drug possession. The other charges were dismissed.

He will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Dec. 20.

Prosecutors will ask the judge to sentence Faucher to 30 years in prison, including 20 before he’s eligible for parole. The defense is free to argue for less, under the plea deal.

Faucher, who will be 73 next month, told the court that he sent an email that contained child pornography while in alcohol-induced depression and while being affected by dementia. He said he doesn’t remember sending the material, but said he takes responsibility for doing it.

UPDATE::  Priest’s chatroom conversations about killing, raping kids were ‘role play,’ attorney says

The Rev. William Thomas Faucher, accused of child porn and drug crimes, was role playing with a fellow author in some of the chatroom conversations in which he’s alleged to have said he wanted to rape and kill children, his attorney said in court Friday.

“This gentleman Mr. Faucher is talking to lives in Brazil. He initially contacted Father Faucher because he wanted his help writing a book,” said Faucher’s attorney, Mark Manweiler, at a hearing Friday at the Ada County Courthouse. “They discussed all kinds of fantastic scenarios, like two murder novelists talking — only the issue is child abuse.”

Manweiler said there was one conversation in which the other party said he was going to send him some child pornography, and Faucher told him he didn’t want it. He said Faucher deleted many files he received without opening them.

A retired Boise priest from St. Mary’s Catholic Church was arrested Friday on a charge of sexual exploitation of a child.

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced in a press release that 72-year-old W. Thomas Faucher was transported to the Ada County Jail Friday, following an investigation and arrest by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children unit.

Rev. John Worster, pastor at St. Mary’s, confirmed to the Idaho Press-Tribune that Faucher was on staff at St. Mary’s and retired in 2015. Worster said Faucher was still preaching intermittently, by invitation.

Retired priest arrested on charges of sexual exploitation of a child | Idaho Press-Tribune Local News | idahopress.com

Priest accused of rape won't face new trial for now - SFGate

A Mountain Home, Idaho, priest accused of raping an intoxicated man who was renting a room from him will not face a new trial for now, and the Diocese of Boise says he will not be given any new assignment.

The Idaho Statesman reports that the Rev. Victor Franz Jagerstatter's trial in 2017 was declared a mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous decision.

At the time, prosecutors said one juror refused to deliberate the verdict. After the mistrial, the alleged victim was deployed on military duty, and in July 2018, the charge was dismissed without prejudice, meaning there won't be an immediate retrial, but the possibility remains open.

Priest accused of rape won't face new trial for now - SFGate

ADDENDUM::Catholics perform exorcism on house lived in by Boise priest accused of crimes | Idaho Statesman

The house where a retired Boise priest lived for 15 years — until he was accused in February of sharing child pornography online and of drug possession — has been cleaned out, freshened up and blessed by an exorcist, according to the priest preparing the property for sale.

“We bless houses all the time,” said Father John Worster, pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church the past three years. “I had our diocesan exorcist and his prayer team come and pray over the house.”
,,,
The Diocese of Boise evicted Father W. Thomas “Tom” Faucher from the house at West Holly Hill Drive and Hill Road soon after he was arrested. Residents in the neighborhood, which has a school, expressed concern for the safety of their children.

Mark Manweiler, Faucher’s attorney, declined to comment Friday on the exorcism of the church-owned house.

Read more here: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/community/boise/article214943575.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/community/boise/article214943575.html#storylink=cpy

Catholics perform exorcism on house lived in by Boise priest accused of crimes | Idaho Statesman

Saeed Abedini, Boise pastor once an Iranian prisoner, arrested | Idaho Statesman

Saeed Abedini, the Boise minister held in an Iranian prison for nearly three years, was arrested by Boise Police on Sunday on a misdemeanor charge of violating a no-contact order.

Abedini, 37, appeared in court Monday where he pleaded not guilty and was assigned a public defender.

In January 2016, a judge told Abedini that the only contact he was to have with his estranged wife, Naghmeh, was via text or email for matters concerning their two children. At Abedini’s court hearing on Monday, an Ada County prosecutor said Abedini violated the no-contact order by sending derogatory, name-calling text messages to Naghmeh.
,,,
Abedini pleaded guilty in February 2017 to violating the restraining order. He also pleaded guilty in 2007 to domestic abuse.

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/article205819099.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/article205819099.html#storylink=cpy

Saeed Abedini, Boise pastor once an Iranian prisoner, arrested | Idaho Statesman

UPDATED::Priest River Times - Local News, Ritualized abuse case resuming

UPDATE:: Furtney seeks name change

A Priest River man awaiting trial on ritualized and sexual abuse charges is petitioning to have his named changed.

Dana Andrew Furtney seeks to change his name to Benaiah Joy Moses, according to a petition filed in Bonner County Magistrate Court.

Furtney said in the petition that he is pursuing the name change for “prophetic and spiritual reasons.” He cites two biblical passages — Revelations 2:17 and John 3:5-8. The latter passage refers to Jesus’ stating that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless “they are born of water and spirit.”

Criminal proceedings are resuming against a Bonner County man accused of ritualized and sexual abuse.

A preliminary hearing in the case against Dana Andrew Furtney is set for Dec. 6, court records show.

Furtney is charged with lewd and lascivious conduct, sexual battery of child involving lewd conduct and ritualized abuse.

The case against Furtney was put on hold earlier this fall when questions were raised about his capacity to understand the proceedings and assist in his own defense.

Chief Deputy Public Defender Susie Jensen moved for the mental health evaluation because Furtney’s strongly held spiritual beliefs, his belief that he has a personal relationship with God and that his actions were guided by God’s will, court records indicate.

Furtney, however, has now been deemed fit to proceed in the criminal case, court records show. He remains held at the Bonner County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Priest River Times - Local News, Ritualized abuse case resuming

Lopez gets up to 16 years for sexual abuse of child | Local News | rexburgstandardjournal.com

A man previously deported from the United States was sentenced to 4 to 16 years in prison following a hearing in Madison County District Court on Monday afternoon. During the court hearing the judge found the defendant guilty of sexually abusing a child under the age of 16.

Fernando Lopez-Susano, who was living in the United States illegally, and his attorney, Jay Kohler, came before Seventh District Judge Greg Moeller for sentencing. Lopez pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse charge via an Alford plea last year. In an Alford plea a defendant maintains his innocence but acknowledges that there is enough evidence to convict him.

Lopez originally faced a charge of lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16 as well as the charge of sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16. He later pleaded guilty to the latter charge in exchange for the first charge being dropped by the Madison County prosecutor.

,,,

Kohler presented Moeller with several certificates that Lopez received while in prison. The certificates are from the 12-step Addiction Recovery Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that Lopez regularly attended. Kohler also gave Moeller several letters from an LDS bishop, LDS Sunday School teachers at the jail and LDS missionaries who had interacted with Lopez.

“It’s relevant from our perspective that (Lopez) has not sat in jail watching the clock. He has taken steps to better himself and is making an effort to involve himself in some degree of Christianity,” Kohler said.

Lopez gets up to 16 years for sexual abuse of child | Local News | rexburgstandardjournal.com

Ex-wife says Idaho lawmaker molested 2 girls | The Spokesman-Review

The ex-wife of a former Idaho Republican state lawmaker who shot and killed himself this week says he was under investigation for molesting two girls, including a young female relative who was abused for more than 10 years.

Brandon Hixon, 36, was found dead in his home in southwestern Idaho on Tuesday from a single gunshot wound, the Canyon County Coroner’s office said.

Former colleagues at the Idaho Statehouse have offered kind words about Hixon, but his ex-wife Danielle Eirvin Hixon said the suicide robbed her family’s hopes of finding justice and closure through the legal system.
,,,
“Brandon made people believe that he was a stand-up, morally correct person,” said Hixon, who was married to the former lawmaker for 10 years until their divorce in 2016. “But behind the house walls, he would cheat on me and molested children.”

Ex-wife says Idaho lawmaker molested 2 girls | The Spokesman-Review

Man charged with sexual abuse after police say he inappropriately touched 9-year-old girl | East Idaho News

A local man has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor after allegedly touching a 9-year-old female relative inappropriately.

Findlay Jenkins, 67, was taken into custody after the mother of the girl told police that Findlay had touched her daughter inappropriately while they were living in his home. He was booked into the Bonneville County Jail and released on Dec. 26.

According to court documents, the victim told her mother Jenkins touched her in her private areas under her clothing five or six times. She said he would stop when she told him to but he told the girl not to tell anyone what happened.

Man charged with sexual abuse after police say he inappropriately touched 9-year-old girl | East Idaho News

Idaho man convicted of rape says he was following God's will | Blackfoot Journal | idahostatejournal.com

An eastern Idaho man has been sentenced to five to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing a minor after saying he was following God's will.

The Post Register reports 7th District Judge Joel Tingey found 48-year-old Michael Mercado guilty of rape where the victim is 16 or 17 years old and issued a sentence Monday.

Police arrested Mercado earlier this year after his relationship with a then 17-year-old teenage girl was discovered by his ex-wife.

Idaho man convicted of rape says he was following God's will | Blackfoot Journal | idahostatejournal.com

Idaho ranks worst in nation for faith healing deaths - KIVITV.com Boise, ID

More children die due to faith-based medical neglect in Idaho than in any other state. Today, advocates for children discussed ways to develop legislation to change that.

Rita Swan, national expert and founder of the group "Children's Healthcare is a Legal Duty," also known as "CHILD," was in Boise Friday, Sept. 22. She discussed the Gem State's ranking as the worst in the nation in terms of faith healing deaths.

"Before Idaho had even become a state, the territory enacted a law requiring parents to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter and medical attendance to their child," Swan said.

But religious exemptions were added to the law in 1972.

Idaho ranks worst in nation for faith healing deaths - KIVITV.com Boise, ID

Medicaid, Faith-Healing Work Groups to Be Named Friday | Idaho Government and Politics | magicvalley.com

H/T::Breaking Their Will: Religious Child Abuse and Neglect

Idaho’s child-neglect laws currently exempt parents from prosecution if a child gets sick or dies when the parents are trying to treat them through faith healing. Boise Democrat John Gannon first introduced legislation in 2014 to modify the law in cases where serious injury or death could result, after the higher-than-normal number of child deaths among the faith-healing Followers of Christ denomination, which has some adherents in Idaho, hit the news. His bills haven’t gotten a hearing, with some Republicans saying they oppose changing the law on religious freedom grounds.

Medicaid, Faith-Healing Work Groups to Be Named Friday | Idaho Government and Politics | magicvalley.com

Man sues Mennonite church over alleged abuse - Coeur d'Alene Press: Local News

A lawsuit filed Wednesday claims a child was sexually abused by his father, while leaders of a Mennonite church in Bonners Ferry failed to protect the boy.

The lawsuit was filed late Wednesday by attorneys with the Coeur d'Alene firm of James, Vernon and Weeks. It states Clayton Peaster was 11 when the alleged molestation occurred. He is now 27.
 
The defendants named in the suit are Mt. View Mennonite Church, Inc., the National Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, and Clayton’s adoptive parents, David Peaster and his wife, Cynthia Peaster.

During a press conference held Thursday at the firm’s office, Clayton’s attorney, Craig Vernon, said the child was adopted by the Peasters who both belonged to Mt. View Mennonite Church. The Kansas-based Church of God in Christ Mennonite, commonly known as the Holdeman Mennonites, is the parent organization of Mt. View.

Vernon went over details of the suit, which alleges that David Peaster sexually molested Clayton and an older boy several times over a four-year period. The suit claims during that time, Clayton told a deacon in the church that he was being molested.
,,,
Clayton’s attorney said they are not only suing for an amount to be determined at trial, they are also suing the church for non-economic damages. Vernon said they want the court to force the Holdeman Mennonites national church to establish a policy requiring the church to report all sexual abuse allegations to the police rather than trying to deal with those crimes internally.

Man sues Mennonite church over alleged abuse - Coeur d'Alene Press: Local News

Gay marriage opposition kills IRS tax conformity bill – LGBTQ Nation

Idaho lawmakers have sent a tax conformity bill back to the drawing board because it would have removed an unenforceable rule banning joint returns from same-sex couples.

Members of the Idaho House of Representatives voted 54-15 Thursday to send the bill back to committee. The legislation is brought annually to make the state’s tax code conform with changes to federal tax code. This year’s version sought to remove a requirement for same-sex couples to file separate state tax returns. That requirement is now void because the U.S. Supreme Court rules last year that states can’t enforce gay marriage bans.

Gay marriage opposition kills IRS tax conformity bill – LGBTQ Nation

UPDATED::Children's home 'house parents' accused of sexually abusing girls

UPDATE::  Child porn charges pending for former house parent

An Eagle couple who admitted to sexually abusing at-risk girls placed in their care through a church program will face additional charges, prosecutors confirmed Monday.

Michael and Jennifer Nicole Magill, 31 and 32, were originally set to be sentenced Friday on charges of sexual battery on a minor and sexual abuse of a child. But Prosecutor John Dinger said he asked for the hearing to be set over because he plans to bring child pornography charges against the couple.

Dinger said a forensic review of the couple's computer uncovered child porn investigators believe was created by Michael Magill.

UPDATE:: Couple pleads guilty to sexually abusing children at Eagle church ranch

A married couple from Eagle, who worked as house parents at a local Christian church ranch, have pleaded guilty to sexually abusing children, according to Idaho court records.

Michael P. Magill and his wife, Jennifer, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor 16 or 17 and sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16.

_____

 

An Eagle couple is facing felony charges after sheriff's officials say they sexually abused two teenage girls in their care.

Michael Paul Magill, 30, and Jennifer Nicole Magill, 32, were house parents at the Christian Children's Ranch on Duck Alley Road in Eagle when the alleged abuse occurred. The victims, a 17-year-old and a 14-year-old, were placed in the Magills' care through that group.

According to the Christian Children's Ranch website, the organization provides homes for at-risk or homeless children. House parents live on the 80-acre ranch and care for up to 10 children at a time "in a loving and structured environment," according to the site.

Sheriff's officials say the Magills, who worked as youth group leaders and camp counselors, may have additional victims.

Children's home 'house parents' accused of sexually abusing girls

February 2-5, 2016::End of the day round-up

Oregon woman fights Idaho faith healing laws

A former church member, Linda Martin, is trying to convince lawmakers in Idaho to do what Oregon did.

“These are not things children die of in our time, this is what children died of back in the 1800s, not in the 2000s,” says Martin. Martin grew up in Idaho as a member of the Followers of Christ. Now, she lives in Oregon, but often travels to Boise to lobby lawmakers to remove faith healing protections that prevent parents from being prosecuted for the death of a child.

This is her third attempt to reach lawmakers like Lee Heider. The Republican is chair of the Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee.

“If someone approaches me wanting to carry that legislation, then yes, I’ll hold a hearing. I can’t guarantee the outcome of the hearing. I can’t tell you what the other members of my committee would choose to do with that legislation but if someone chooses to do that I would be the first to stand up and give them the right to bring that legislation forward,” Heider says.

Huckabee Drops Out Of GOP Race

BREAKING: Rand Paul Suspends Presidential Campaign

CNN: Rick Santorum Suspending Presidential Campaign

Tony Abbott's speech to far right group in US not 'intentionally secretive'

"For us, it was never intended to be a public event.

"It was a dinner ADF was having and Tony Abbott aligned on some of these issues, and I think they thought he would be an interesting fella to hear from, so they invited him to come."

Mr Abbott is also reportedly scheduled to meet News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch in New York.

The ADF is surprised by the media interest in their event.

"It is going to be in New York, we have invited variety of people," Mr Trent said, declining to detail who would attend.

"It's a private gathering and Tony Abbott will be there."
,,,
Mr Abbott's sister, same-sex marriage campaigner Christine Forster, said his decision to address the group was "disappointing".

Kevin Andrews skips Parliament to address conservative lobby group in Washington on defence

Established in the 1970s, the Foundation was a key policymaker for Republican president Ronald Reagan and was a loud supporter of the original Iraq war. In recent years it has campaigned aggressively to defund Obamacare.

The Foundation's current president is former Republican senator Jim DeMint, a leading figure in the Tea Party movement and a pro-lifer who opposes same-sex marriage.

According to the Foundation's invite, Mr Andrews will cover Australia's key defence challenges, including in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

"Australia is in a unique position, straddling the line between Asia and the West. It faces global security and defense challenges from the perspective of an Alliance partner with the United States. It, also, focuses on the challenges that confront both nations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region – especially the China Seas – and the Middle East," the Foundation said in promoting Mr Andrews' presentation.

The Foundation lists its mission as "to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."

Trump Touts Endorsement From ‘Reverend Jerry Fallwell Jr.,’ Who Is Not A Reverend

While Falwell is certainly a prominent figure in the evangelical community, he is not actually a reverend, a title specific to members of the clergy who have completed religious training.
,,,
Fallwell, who helped parlay his late father’s televangelism career into running one of the biggest Christian colleges in the country, fits into a category of religious figures known as “entrepreneurial evangelicals.” Falwell appreciates a good business sense and has been candid about his admiration for Trump.

In a statement announcing his decision to endorse the hotel mogul, Falwell referred to Trump as “a successful executive and entrepreneur, a wonderful father and a man who I believe can lead our country to greatness again.”

Former Pentagon chief Robert Gates: Republicans’ grasp of national security is at a child’s level

"The level of dialogue on national security issues would embarrass a middle schooler,” Gates said of the Republican contenders at a Politico Playbook event in Washington on Monday . “People are out there making threats and promises that are totally unrealistic, totally unattainable. Either they really believe what they’re saying or they’re cynical and opportunistic and, in a way, you hope it’s the latter because God forbid they actually believe some of the things that they’re saying.”
,,,
Gates, promoting a new book, A Passion for Leadership, said “one of the greatest, most appealing aspects of Ronald Reagan was his optimism about this country and about the future, and these guys all make it sound like we’re going down the drain.” All the candidates, he argued, should “try to communicate better to the American people that these are complicated, difficult problems that are going to be difficult to solve and are probably going to require some sacrifice”.

Conversion Therapy Event at BYU-I Axed - The Daily Beast

Michael D. Williams, the Rexburg, Idaho-based counselor in question, told The Daily Beast “that I do not act on behalf of the [LDS Church], but as a member of the congregation who has taken a good look at much of the research regarding same-sex attraction [SSA], and who has assisted a number of young adults—male and female—to overcome unwanted SSA both here and in California.”

Williams did not immediately respond to further questions about the event, nor did he provide evidence of the supposed efficacy of his treatments. But a few hours later, he emailed to say, “Due to negative publicity the presentation has been called off.”

“I regret that the fears of some who’ve experienced repression and bigotry have resulted in others not being allowed to learn alternative viewpoints and options,” he said

No media outlets had reported on the event at the time of cancellation but The Daily Beast had made press inquiries to BYU-I and the Mormon Church. A BYU-I spokesperson later told The Daily Beast that the event was planned and subsequently cancelled by a local student congregation, not the university itself.


On his professional blog, Williams has authored several anti-gay and anti-transgender posts. In one, he refers to Leelah Alcorn—a transgender girl who committed suicide in December 2014, prompting the Obama administration to officially oppose conversion therapy—as a “troubled young man” and repeatedly uses male pronouns to refer to her. Williams predictably opposed President Obama’s new stance on conversion therapy.

In another post, in which Williams predicts that the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Obergefell will have “dire consequences,” he claims that “[h]omes with same-sex ‘parents’ are remarkably unstable” and that the term “same-sex marriage” is “a misnomer and oxymoron.”

Conversion Therapy Event at BYU-I Axed - The Daily Beast

Coeur d’Alene man jailed, suspected of raping and abusing underage boys - Spokesman.com - Oct. 26, 2015

 

A long-haul truck driver from Coeur d’Alene who also served as a church youth camp counselor is suspected of raping and abusing underage boys in Spokane and Kootenai counties over the past decade.

Kevin G. Sloniker, 30, faces felony charges of rape and lewd conduct involving two underage boys and is a suspect in the sexual abuse of at least eight other boys, according to court documents. He’s being held in the Kootenai County Jail on $1 million bond.

Sloniker met and befriended some of the boys in his role as a youth camp counselor at Immaculate Conception Church in Post Falls, according to investigative reports filed with 1st District Court in Kootenai County.

Coeur d’Alene man jailed, suspected of raping and abusing underage boys - Spokesman.com - Oct. 26, 2015

Christian couples warns gay waiter he’ll burn in hell, tips 20 percent – LGBTQ Nation

Britton Weaver of Boise, Idaho recently served a middle-aged couple lunch, and remembers them as pleasant and respectful.

That is, until the bill came.

“They signed their receipt not as their first or last name; they signed it as Straight,” said Weaver.

The pamphlet titled What you miss by being a Christian with headline “HELL!” made their intention clear.
“I got a little offended. I got a little angered by it,” said Weaver.

Christian couples warns gay waiter he’ll burn in hell, tips 20 percent – LGBTQ Nation