Monday, August 13, 2012

Clergy Convictions 1.0

I’ve started a new feature here on Deep Thoughts. It’s called Clergy Convictions. A few of my readers have asked that I start tracking convictions in addition to arrests. Convictions are harder to track because the press does not cover them as well as they do arrests. I plan to post an updated list each Monday.

Local pastor, wife convicted of tax fraud. Pastor David Montgomery and his wife Bridget were convicted of tax fraud. they face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Montgomery was the pastor at Restoration Temple Church of God in Christ in the city of Humble. A word of advice to the members of this fine church. If your pastor drives a Bentley, you are doing it wrong.

Ex-pastor, Rev. James Richard Harris, guilty on all counts in case of sex acts. Pastor Harris attempted suicide during the trail. He screwed that up too and now faces 80-years in prison. See my post on Harris here: Pedophile pastor attempts suicide in court

Youth Pastor convicted of sex crimes receives sentencing date. Youth pastor John Astorga was found guilty on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. He faces 20 years in prison and will register as a sex offender.

Former Pastor Sentenced On Sexual Battery Charges. Pastor John t. Vine was sentenced to 22 years in prison for molesting a 12-year-old girl. Vine was the pastor at Faith United Church in North Nashville. Another victim has come forward with abuse allegations.

Former priest, scout leader pleads guilty to more sex charges. Pastor Ralph Rowe, an Anglican priest, pleaded guilty to seven more sex-related crimes. He had already been convicted of 50 other sex-related crimes.

South Boston pastor arrested on child porn charges. Reverend Andrzej Urbaniak entered a guilty plea to charges that he possessed and distributed child pornography. Urbaniak was a pastor at Our Lady of Czestochowa where he served the local Polish community.

That’s it for this week. If you would like to help, please send me an email.