Residents of New York City may have heard about a church deacon who reportedly went on Grindr to meet a young teen; an arrest occurred when the alleged hookup was about to happen. An undercover detective, posing as a 14-year-old “teen,” arrested the man. According to the NY Post, the deacon is a married father of four with Saint Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Woodside.
Alleged sex abuse
New York Child Victims Act sex abuse claims may take many forms, including against clergy members, teachers and people in prestigious positions. The deacon in this case reportedly began using Grindr in July of 2020 to have communication with the person he thought a teen. He is accused of trying to meet the teen for a get-together on one occasion and, when that did not work out, again arranging a meeting on Jan. 19, 2021, for oral sex.
Stepping into trouble
As the man stepped into the car that was the agreed-upon meeting place, he was arrested by the detective posing as a teen. The man was charged with one count each of attempted use of a child in a sexual performance, attempted criminal sexual act, attempted disseminating indecent material to a minor and attempted endangering the welfare of a child. He faces up to seven years in prison. The man’s release was on a $50,000 bond, according to authorities.
New York Child Victims Act sex abuse claims are very serious. If you or someone in your family has been a victim of child sex abuse, it is imperative to contact an attorney since time is of the essence. You may want to schedule a consultation and find out where you stand from a legal point of view, such as whether you might be eligible for monetary damages from the perpetrator.
