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+--- Thread: Elder shielded by Co-Elders & Pastor has been Indicted for Child Molesting (/showthread.php?tid=1287)
Elder shielded by Co-Elders & Pastor has been Indicted for Child Molesting - BASSENCO - 05-13-2011 08:06 PM
The elders from Valley Christian Church in Conway NH who covered up for an elder in the church that had molested a child were convicted this past December for failing to report the suspected sexual abuse of a child. According to them, the elder had confessed and repented, the family had been included in the repentance process, and so it was not law enforcement’s business. (According to the news report, when a member of the church urged the parents to go to the legal system, he was told to keep quiet.)
Judge Pamela Albee sentenced Pastor Timothy Dillmuth of the Valley Christian Church in Conway NH and elders Robert Gagnon and Richard Eland to 30 days in jail, all suspended, plus probation and a $2,000 fine each: a slap on the wrist for covering up for a child molesting elder.
Turns out the elder they protected has at last been indicted. According to the New Hampshire Union Leader (Pat Grossmith), “Joel Clement, 53, of 424 Allard Farm Circuit, North Conway, has been indicted on charges of felonious sexual assault for intentionally touching the breasts of a 12-year-old girl whether directly through the clothing or otherwise, according to the indictment.”
If Clement is found guilty, he could go to prison for 10-30 years.
RE: Elder shielded by Co-Elders & Pastor has been Indicted for Child Molesting - Elijah Craig - 05-14-2011 12:29 PM
Oh wait, 30 days suspended? Now if it was actually 30 days in jail, then I was going to say what they got was about what I'd expect from an obstruction charge in a sex abuse case. Not saying it'd be what they deserved, but our justice system is messed up.
RE: Elder shielded by Co-Elders & Pastor has been Indicted for Child Molesting - Innocent Lamb - 05-14-2011 04:13 PM
I agree that the sentence is a slap on the wrist. Hopefully the people involved were at least publicly embarrassed for their actions (but then again, they probably are more likely to consider it "suffering for Christ.") Maybe at least the fact that the judicial system actually took notice PERIOD will serve as a warning that this business of "he said he was sorry, so let's drop it" needs to come to an end.
RE: Elder shielded by Co-Elders & Pastor has been Indicted for Child Molesting - BASSENCO - 05-14-2011 07:27 PM
I doubt they were even embarrassed. But it is encouraging to see that, even with the best efforts of the other elders and pastor to shield him, the culprit was caught and indicted. My best hope is that the members of the church will realize what kind of men are in power in that church and will either vote them out or abandon the church for assemblies that are more obedient to God.