Ex-Roman Catholic deacon indicted on child rape charge

George Brignac, 84, was charged by a grand jury Thursday with one count of aggravated rape. He was arrested in September.

The victim in the case came forward as an adult. He told The Associated Press in September that he hoped Brignac's arrest will “send a message to other pedophiles in the church that this should never happen again.”

District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro noted in Thursday's news release that Louisiana has no time limit for prosecuting such offenses involving a victim younger than 12.

“Now that victims have come forward in adulthood, with allegations deemed credible by police investigators, prosecutors and the grand jury, we will move forward aggressively to pursue justice on their behalf,” Cannizzaro said. “This is the first such case in New Orleans to produce an indictment so many years after the offenses were inflicted upon helpless children. There may be more to come.”

Ex-Roman Catholic deacon indicted on child rape charge

Suspect in fatal, fiery Siegen crash told police God told him to kill himself, records show | Crime/Police | theadvocate.com

The 18-year-old suspect in the fatal, fiery crash that killed a 51-year-old woman Monday night told police that he believed God instructed him to kill himself, which prompted him to plow into another vehicle at a speed of at least 90 mph, according to his arrest warrant.

Jack Jordan, 18, was arrested for intentionally crashing into Stephanie Payne's vehicle at a high rate of speed about 10 p.m. Monday on Siegen Lane. Payne, 51 of Greenwell Springs, died as a result of the crash.

"Mr. Jordan stated that God instructed him to kill himself, therefore he accelerated his vehicle to purposely strike another vehicle to end his life," his arrest report says. "He stated the last time he looked at his speedometer, he was traveling approximately 90 miles per hour."

Suspect in fatal, fiery Siegen crash told police God told him to kill himself, records show | Crime/Police | theadvocate.com

Another Southern Baptist minister charged with child abuse – Baptist News Global

Bad news continued for a Southern Baptist Convention spotlighted in recent months by major newspapers for out-of-control sexual abuse with Monday’s arrest of a Louisiana pastor accused of raping an 11-year-old girl over a two-year period.

Bellview Baptist Church in Westlake, Louisiana, fired 45-year-old John Michael Ward as pastor of the church since 2012 after his arrest by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office on 10 counts of first-degree rape, 40 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and two counts of child pornography.

John Ward

Bruce L. Baker, director of Carey Baptist Association, released a statement on behalf of the church saying both the association and the Louisiana Baptist Convention have reached out to help the congregation minister both to the victim and her family and the family of the accused.

Another Southern Baptist minister charged with child abuse – Baptist News Global

Calcasieu Parish man arrested on first degree rape, indecent behavior and child porn charges

 A tip led to an investigation and arrest of a 45-year-old Westlake man on multiple sex crime charges involving juveniles.

An anonymous called contacted the state Dept. of Child & Family Services’ tip line. On June 17, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested John Michael Ward.

 Ward reportedly admitted to detectives he had been molesting an 11-year-old girl since 2017 when she was 9 years old.  Ward reportedly also told detectives he videoed the victim while she was nude on two separate occasions, authorities said.

Calcasieu Parish man arrested on first degree rape, indecent behavior and child porn charges

Catholic school principal arrested after refusing to pay tab at strip club - Story | KTVU

A Louisiana Catholic school principal has been arrested after visiting a strip club while on a school field trip to the nation's capital.

Diocese of Baton Rouge spokesman Dan Borne says Michael Comeau was arrested early Thursday in Washington, D.C., where he was with students from Holy Family Catholic School, a K-8 school in Port Allen.

According to an arrest report, officers were dispatched to Archibald's Gentlemen's Club on a complaint about "an intoxicated man refusing to pay his bill." The Advocate reports the 47-year-old faces charges of public intoxication and possession of an open container of alcohol. It was unknown if he has an attorney.

Catholic school principal arrested after refusing to pay tab at strip club - Story | KTVU

UPDATED::St. Landry Sheriff: Priest accused of sexually abusing minor surrenders, confesses | News | theadvocate.com

UPDATE::  Former St. Landry priest sentenced to seven years hard labor for molesting teen

A former St. Landry Parish priest was sentenced to seven years of hard labor and three years of probation for sexually assaulting a teen boy.

Michael Guidry, 76, pleaded guilty to molesting a juvenile in March. He faced a maximum of 10 years. 

"There are certain things in life that we just can't tolerate and one of those is the sexual abuse of children by priests," said 27th Judicial District Court Judge Alonzo Harris when he handed down the sentence Tuesday. "If you cannot trust the men of God for spiritual guidance, then who can you trust?"

The Lafayette Diocese priest accused of sexually abusing a teenager turned himself in Wednesday to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, 10 days after the diocese publicly disclosed the allegation.

Michael Guidry, 75, confessed to assaulting the victim, who was 16 at the time, after serving the boy alcohol, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The abuse occurred at Guidry’s home in Morrow, authorities said.

Guidry was released after posting $21,500 bond, according to Maj. Eddie Thibodeaux. Guidry faces one count of molestation of a juvenile and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

St. Landry Sheriff: Priest accused of sexually abusing minor surrenders, confesses | News | theadvocate.com

Louisiana News: Gretna Preacher, JOSEPH R. ALEXANDER Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $320,000 from Church | STL.News

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today that JOSEPH R. ALEXANDER, age 60 of Gretna, Louisiana pleaded guilty on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 to one count of a sixteen count indictment returned December 7, 2017. The government agreed to dismiss the remaining fifteen counts at sentencing, which was set for April 3, 2019 before Judge Sarah S. Vance.

According to the documents filed in open court, ALEXANDER was the minister at a Church of Christ congregation in Gretna, Louisiana. Starting in 2006 and continuing until December 2013, ALEXANDER stole at least $321,491 from the church in three different schemes. The first involved his writing church checks to himself to pay for personal expenses, but creating false entries in church ledgers which indicated the checks were being written to legitimate church vendors.

The second method involved his opening an online bank account without church permission and paying personal expenses from the online account. Finally, he forged a church elder’s signature on checks which required two signatures. He also used these funds for personal expenses.

Louisiana News: Gretna Preacher, JOSEPH R. ALEXANDER Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $320,000 from Church | STL.News

Gretna pastor vows to fight charges he pulled gun on transgender sex worker | Crime/Police | theadvocate.com

A Pentecostal pastor from Gretna said he plans to vigorously defend himself against allegations he illegally pointed a pistol to take back cash from a transgender sex worker following a botched tryst last month.

Wilfred Brown, who is 67 and describes himself as the pastor of Evariste Temple Church of God in Christ, faces counts of aggravated assault and soliciting prostitution in the Nov. 20 incident, while Brandon Smalls, 29 — who goes by the first name Kourtney — is accused of simple robbery.

Authorities investigating the case believe Brown was driving his car in New Orleans and picked up Smalls about 10:30 p.m. Brown stopped near Decatur Street and Esplanade Avenue “in an apparent attempt to solicit Smalls to engage (in) performing sexual acts,” according to a state trooper's report on the arrests.

Gretna pastor vows to fight charges he pulled gun on transgender sex worker | Crime/Police | theadvocate.com

ADDENDUM::TV Exclusive: Investigator details bust of pedophile ring tied to New Orleans Boy Scout troop

Mason Spong had no idea that the case he worked in 1976 as a young NOPD detective would change his life. "A man saw some sexually explicit pictures of young children and he reported it," Spong said. Spong says that tip would lead investigators to a pedophile ring connected to Boy Scout Troop 137.

"These guys moved in and were able to gain control of this Scout troop,” Spong said. “They took these kids across the lake to K Bar B Ranch and they had sexual acts over in St Tammany,…and this went on for a while, a couple of years before we even came on to these pictures that were turned over to us…

"…They were very young and very angelic children, very friendly, outgoing most of the times. The common denominator was a single parent home, basically poor."

Spong says men traveled to New Orleans to have sex with the boys - and the children were even taken across state lines.

"These adults had money to some degree, you know, they were middle class, and those pedophiles would come in from out of town and have that sexual contact here in New Orleans in the homes of these other pedophiles. That’s how it happened,” Spong said.

As part of his investigation, Spong met a little boy named Ricky.

TV Exclusive: Investigator details bust of pedophile ring tied to New Orleans Boy Scout troop

Fired Mandeville church staffer surrenders in Mississippi after being accused of abusing boy | Crime/Police | theadvocate.com

The man who was fired over the weekend from his staff position at a prominent Mandeville church has surrendered to police in Mississippi on accusations of sexually molesting an underage boy, authorities said Tuesday.

Travis Bush, 36, of Mandeville, turned himself in after investigators in Bay St. Louis obtained a warrant to arrest him.

Detective Sgt. Rachel Jewell of the Bay St. Louis Police Department said the crime that Bush is accused of committing implies that the victim was 16 or younger, but she declined to release any details.

Jail records show Bush was being held Tuesday in lieu of $100,000 bail and is due to appear in court for a hearing Nov. 16.

Fired Mandeville church staffer surrenders in Mississippi after being accused of abusing boy | Crime/Police | theadvocate.com

Jesuit High sex abuse settlements kept quiet; 1 victim speaks out for first time | News | theadvocate.com

Ricky Windmann wasn’t nervous when he accompanied janitor Peter Modica to his ground-floor maintenance office at Jesuit High School on an otherwise unremarkable day in the late 1970s.

After all, Modica – a former semipro baseball player – had let the skinny, light-haired boy play basketball on the school’s grounds several times, even though he wasn’t a student. He also bought Windmann a bike and stopped by the boy’s house, which was a couple blocks from the school’s Mid-City campus, to meet Windmann’s mother.

But any feeling of safety was replaced by paralyzing fear when Modica suddenly pulled Windmann’s pants down and forcibly performed oral sex on him. Windmann doesn’t recall his exact age at the time, but he said he believes he was in his early teens.

The janitor would go on to sexually abuse the adolescent several more times in the ensuing years – once in concert with a Jesuit priest and teacher, Neil Carr – only stopping when Windmann grew big enough to protect himself.

Six years ago, Jesuit’s leadership paid Windmann $450,000 to settle his abuse claim. The agreement came on the heels of the school’s settling two other sets of abuse claims from the same era involving Donald Dickerson, a Jesuit scholastic, and religious brother Claude Ory, according to interviews and records obtained by The Advocate.

Jesuit High sex abuse settlements kept quiet; 1 victim speaks out for first time | News | theadvocate.com

#19:: Caddo authorities identify Thursday morning shooting victim | Crime | ktbs.com

 

 https://transgriot.blogspot.com/2018/08/number-18-rest-in-power-vontashia-bell.html

An 18-year-old Shreveport man woman was found shot to death in the Cedar Grove neighborhood early Thursday morning.

Police responding to a call about shots fired found Delvantae L. Bell Vontashia Bell lying in the street near the corner of Harrison Street and Linwood Avenue. He She had been shot in the chest and wrist. He She was rushed to University Health Hospital in Shreveport but died of his her injuries.

No suspect has been identified.

UPDATED: Caddo authorities identify Thursday morning shooting victim | Crime | ktbs.com

Bogalusa pastor pleads guilty to stealing $95K in disability benefits | NOLA.com

A longtime pastor of a Bogalusa church pleaded guilty to the theft of more than $95,000 in Social Security disability benefits, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans said Thursday (July 26).

Jerry R. Newton, 54, of Slidell, is set for an Oct. 25 sentencing hearing before U. S. District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.

Newton, who served as pastor of Bogalusa Baptist Church since May of 2007, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds, Evans' office reported in a news release.

According to court documents, Newton applied for Social Security disability benefits, a process that requires the applicant to disclose any employment or income. Newton did not disclose to the Social Security Administration that he had a paid position with the church and owned two businesses when he applied for disability benefits. Newton owned Still Dreaming Graphics, LLC, and Kclean Sweep, a cleaning service, the U.S. Attorney's office reported.

Bogalusa pastor pleads guilty to stealing $95K in disability benefits | NOLA.com

Former Marrero pastor pleads guilty to molesting girls, gets 20 years | NOLA.com

A former Marrero pastor charged with raping and molesting several young girls in the 1990s pleaded guilty Monday (July 9), and is scheduled to be sentenced to 20 years in prison later this month.

Sherman R. Smith, 58, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree rape, according to District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro's office. Smith also pleaded guilty as charged to one count of aggravated incest, two counts of sexual battery and five counts of indecent behavior with juveniles younger than 13.

As part of a plea deal approved by the victims, Criminal District Judge Karen Herman ordered Smith's sentences to be served concurrently.

Former Marrero pastor pleads guilty to molesting girls, gets 20 years | NOLA.com

Bogalusa pastor accused of stealing $95,000 in disability funds | NOLA.com

Federal prosecutors have charged the pastor of a Bogalusa church with theft of more than $95,000 in Social Security disability benefits.

Jerry Newton, pastor of Bogalusa Baptist Church, did not disclose to the Social Security Administration that he had a job and owned two businesses when he applied for and received $95,316 in disability benefits, U.S. Attorney Duane Evans' office said in a news release.

Newton, 54, of Slidell, concealed his income from those sources while receiving the disability benefits, according to the news release. Evans' office said persons receiving disability are required to disclose to the Social Security Administration any employment income.

Bogalusa pastor accused of stealing $95,000 in disability funds | NOLA.com

UPDATED::Ronald J Harris: Louisiana pastor shot dead mid-sermon accused of raping confessed shooter's wife | Mail Online

UPDATE::  Karey not guilty verdict raises concerns in the community

The not guilty verdict for Woodrow Karey has come as a shock to many in the community, who wonder how someone can walk into a church, shoot someone in front of some 50 witnesses and be acquitted.

The killing at Tabernacle of Praise Church on Sept. 27, 2013, could have been different. Ronald Harris's daughter, Talisha Jacko, took a gun out immediately after the first shot.

"I did, I had a weapon on me at the time and I did try to fire it," she said. "However, it did jam up on me because I hadn't shot it in a while. But it did jam up on me. I was very devastated because, at one point, I did go through like, I could have saved his life and I failed him."

So, it could have been a much different outcome. Even if Pastor Harris did bad things to Woodrow Karey and his wife, it's hard for some to see how a jury finds him not guilty, when he admits walking in and killing the preacher in front of so many.

"He walked into a church that was having a revival and killed this man," said Cynthia Killingsworth, First Assistant D.A. for Calcasieu Parish. "We have lots and lots of witnesses that saw this."

She is concerned it sends the wrong message to the community.

See also:: Two Karey jurors discuss verdict

UPDATE::  Shooter takes the stand

A man on trial for manslaughter took the stand Tuesday in state district court and told a jury about shooting a pastor nearly five years ago during a church service, saying the pastor raped his wife and was “treacherous.”

Woodrow Karey Jr., 58, told jurors he walked into Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center during a revival service on Sept. 27, 2013, and shot Ronald J. Harris, 51, twice with a shotgun. 

The prosecution has said Harris was having an affair with Karey’s wife; the defense has said Karey’s wife was raped by Harris for years.

Too many unanswered questions, although no person has the right to be judge, jury and executioner,,,

Lousiana sheriffs revealed Monday that the pastor shot dead while singing to a service was accused of rape by his confessed shooter's wife.

Just two days before Pastor Ronald J. Harris Sr., 53, was killed while singing to a revival crowd of more than 65, former deacon Woodrow Karey's wife filed sexual assault charges against the pastor.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso said the charges were still being investigated Friday when the 'Karey walked into the Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center, and shot Harris at close range' before turning himself in minutes later.

Mancuso says the woman and preacher had exchanged text messages, and it's not yet clear whether a sexual assault took place.

Harris was preaching at about 8:20 pm on Friday when he was shot twice by the former deacon and fell to the floor.

Harris was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ronald J Harris: Louisiana pastor shot dead mid-sermon accused of raping confessed shooter's wife | Mail Online

Fired Navy chaplain seen having sex outside Algiers Point bar; pub owner recounts turning in tape | News | theadvocate.com

New Orleans may have a libertine reputation, but what happened last month just outside the Crown & Anchor bar in Algiers Point was too much for owner Neil Timms.

Right in plain view of his surveillance camera, he said, a Navy chaplain, Capt. Loften Thornton, and his female companion were having sex.

"It was the fact that it was a chaplain and it was in public" that upset him, Timms said.
So he handed over video of the tryst to authorities at the nearby Marine Forces Reserve base in Algiers. The chaplain was fired a few days later, officials said.
,,,
Timms said he reviewed his security video, realized the act had been recorded and notified the Federal City base. He said he believed the encounter was consensual but was still alarmed that it involved a military chaplain.

In a statement Wednesday, the Corps said that Lt. Gen. Rex McMillian, the Marine Forces Reserve commander, fired Thornton on March 20 "due to a loss of trust and confidence." The statement did not specify what triggered the dismissal, citing an ongoing investigation.

Why is this such an issue,,,

 Navy Fires Chaplain for Public Sex One Day After Rejecting Humanist Applicant

Last month, the Navy denied the application of Jason Heap, a well-qualified counselor who sought to become the military’s first Humanist chaplain, after pushback from dozens of Republicans in Congress. What we didn’t know until now was that just a day earlier, the Navy had fired Capt. Loften Thornton for having sex with someone on the street in front of a British-themed pub. The whole incident was caught on camera.
,,,

That said, here’s a case of a religious chaplain presumably failing to live up to both divine and military standards. The Navy fired him, yes, but they also reject secular counselors partly on the basis that they’d somehow degrade the status of the position.

Shouldn’t everyone in that role be judged on their ability to help the troops who need it?

Fired Navy chaplain seen having sex outside Algiers Point bar; pub owner recounts turning in tape | News | theadvocate.com

#8::Authorities identify person killed in shooting at motel on Airline Highway

 

https://transgriot.blogspot.com/2018/03/number-7-rest-in-power-and-peace-amia.html

 

Police are investigating a deadly shooting that took place early Monday morning.

Officers responded to the Shades Motel on Airline Highway around 1:15 a.m. At the scene was a man with apparent gunshot injures, according to police. The man died at the scene.

Police say there are no suspects at this time.


Authorities identify person killed in shooting at motel on Airline Highway

According to Transgriot,  "[h]er name is Amia Tyrae Berryman,,, [a]nd as you probably guessed, local media stating WBRZ-TV 2 misgendered her."  

Man accused of killing young daughter charged with murder; he says God ordered it | Courts | theadvocate.com

The issue of mental competency has been brought forth in this case from last month,,,

The man accused of stabbing and strangling his 18-month-old daughter last year, telling police afterward that God had ordered him to do it, was charged by a grand jury with first-degree murder Thursday, opening the way for a possible death sentence if he is convicted.

Mark Hambrick, 46, was charged with both murder and second-degree cruelty to a juvenile in connection with the Oct. 17 death of his daughter Amina.

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Keva Landrum-Johnson set his bail at $1.5 million.
First-degree murder carries a punishment of either death or life imprisonment in Louisiana. District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro said he has not decided which penalty to seek.

Man accused of killing young daughter charged with murder; he says God ordered it | Courts | theadvocate.com

See also::  Public defender budget dispute halts arraignment for Mark Hambrick, man accused of killing toddler

With no lawyers to defend him, a man charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing and suffocation death of his 18-month-old daughter did not enter a plea at his arraignment on Wednesday.

A lawyer said there are no funds available to provide the defense team needed for Mark Hambrick, who is accused of killing his toddler inside his Bywater home on Oct. 17.

Prosecutors charged Hambrick with first-degree murder last week. The charge carries a potential death sentence, which means that Hambrick is entitled to a defense team of at least two attorneys and two investigators under court precedent.
,,,
In a warrant for his arrest, police said that Hambrick told them that “God told him to murder his child so the state of Louisiana can kill him so he can be resurrected.”

Bossier pastor arrested for possession of meth

A former Bossier Parish pastor has been arrested after admitting to police he had meth at his Bossier City home.

Andy C. Harris, 56, of 2406 Benton Road in Bossier City, was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

Harris was the senior pastor at The Church of the Cross, an Assemblies of God congregation perhaps best known for the 199-foot exterior cross it erected in 2009 on its property along U.S. 80 in Haughton.

Bossier pastor arrested for possession of meth