Elder shielded by Co-Elders & Pastor has been Indicted for Child Molesting

[BASSENCO]

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.