MARYVILLE, TN – Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong announced Tuesday that investigators had arrested a Knox County employee and former youth deacon Monday evening, and that man is facing child sex charges.
The case centers on 64-year-old Donald Jeffrey Clark of Apple Creek Drive in Louisville. A spokesperson for Knox County confirmed he works as the finance systems and compliance director. The same official said he had been placed on administrative leave. Berrong’s announcement said Clark had been charged with two counts:
Sexual battery by an authority figure
Continuous sexual abuse of a child
“In December, investigators opened an inquiry on Clark after they received information from a parent that Clark sexually assaulted their teenage son for several years beginning in 2021,” Berrong said. “The investigation revealed that Clark sent the youth sexually suggestive text messages and sexually assaulted him on multiple occasions while Clark served as a youth deacon at a local church, though there is no evidence that any of the abuse occurred on church property.”
Clark was released from custody at the Blount County Correctional Facility on a $250,000 bond. He’s next due in court at 9 a.m. on April 13.
MACON, GA — The sheriff’s office said an administrator was charged in connection with stealing $500,000 from Riverside United Methodist Church, which closed in October 2025.
Months after a Macon church was forced to close its doors, new details are coming to light about what might have gone wrong behind the scenes.
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office said in a release that they arrested a woman in connection with stealing over $500,000 from Riverside United Methodist Church over the course of around four years.
They said Tiffany Alayn Watson, 39, was identified and eventually charged in connection with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the church.
The church, which was forced to close its doors in October of 2025, had new leadership brought in before closure, according to the sheriff’s office. That leadership questioned the debt, general financial operations and overall financial status of the church.
The sheriff’s office said these questions eventually led the South Georgia United Methodist Conference to issue a complaint to the sheriff’s office, which led to a RICO Act Violation investigation.
In the release, the sheriff’s office said that their Criminal Investigation Division found criminal activity from 2022 until 2025 when the church was closed. They learned that, during this time, over $500,000 was stolen from the church without permission and was “converted to personal use.”
They said they connected the transactions to Watson, the church administrator and co-director of the Riverside United Methodist Church Children Center, and listed her as a person of interest.
According to the sheriff’s office, they met with Watson on Tuesday morning around 9 a.m. After further investigation, she was brought to the Bibb County jail, where she’s being held without bond.
The said Watson was charged with computer theft, first-degree forgery, theft by conversion, theft by deception, financial identity fraud, fiduciary theft by taking, money laundering, evasion of income tax, penalty, interest or other and racketeering influenced and corrupt organizations.
The release noted the RICO Act Violation is still under investigation. Anyone with further information can contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500 or the Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.
As spring approaches, I want to take a moment to update you on important developments within SNAP since my last correspondence.
As many of you know, some longtime leaders recently chose to step away from SNAP. Strong relationships built over years of shared work and advocacy make moments like these especially difficult for many within our community.
I want to acknowledge their contributions with gratitude. Advocacy on behalf of survivors is never easy work, and each of these individuals gave time and energy to a mission that matters deeply. We sincerely wish them well in their future endeavors.
At the same time, I owe it to this community to be transparent. The Board, our Executive Director and I made every effort to find common ground. We did not refuse to meet, despite what has been reported. There were several attempts at mediation and facilitated dialogue. We showed up each time in good faith, committed to resolving differences and moving forward together. Despite those efforts, we were not able to reach a path forward.
That reality is disappointing and painful. But it does not change our responsibility to continue the work.
What defines SNAP is our community of more than 15,000 survivors, advocates and supporters around the world. The strength of this organization has never rested in any one individual, but in our shared commitment to SNAP’s mission—supporting survivors and holding perpetrators, and those who protect them, accountable.
And that mission continues to remain our focus.
We are not here to fight one another. We are here to confront child predators and those who enable them. When our attention turns inward, even for understandable reasons, it takes energy away from that work. Moving forward, we must refocus on what unites us—supporting survivors, exposing abuse, and demanding accountability.
We can respect the paths that have diverged while remaining united in purpose—because the work ahead of us is far too important to lose focus.
SNAP has existed for more than 35 years. Organizations with that kind of history do not remain effective by standing still. Change can be difficult—especially in a survivor-led movement where trust is hard-earned—but some degree of evolution is necessary to remain strong, credible, and capable of serving future generations.
We also live in a different world than when SNAP began. In a post-#MeToo and Epstein era, we have a deeper understanding of trauma and what meaningful support requires. Peer support remains essential, but it must be strengthened by clear policies, strong governance and access to trained professionals and specialists. Healthy organizations must periodically recommit to their mission and ensure that everyone is aligned with current standards, bylaws, and survivor-centered practices.
This is not about changing who we are. It is about strengthening how we serve.
There are still countless survivors who do not know that organizations like SNAP exist. Many are still suffering in silence. We have a responsibility to be ready for them — to meet them with strength, clarity and compassion. That means continuing to modernize our organization so we can better reach, support, and advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse.
In addition to our network of grassroots donors, we have several foundations that support what we do. We have kept them informed. Their support and resources are helping us to achieve these changes.
That continued support is important. But more important than any single review is this: our mission remains unchanged.
We are here, because we were harmed.
We are here, because systems failed us.
And we are here, because we all deserve better.
That is what unites us. That is what drives us forward.
This has been a difficult chapter—but it is not the end of the story. We turn the page now with clarity, humility and a renewed commitment to the work that matters most.
I remain committed. The Board and the Executive Director remain committed. And SNAP remains committed to standing with survivors everywhere.
Rodney Gibson and Kawiana Young arrested for crimes against children. Photo courtesy of Richland County Sheriff’s Department
COLUMBIA, SC — A local pastor and his wife, a daycare operator, have been arrested in connection with alleged crimes against children, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies said Rodney Gibson, 50, and Kawiana Young, 50, were taken into custody following an investigation that began March 12, 2026, after a victim reported sexual abuse while in foster care at their home.
Investigators said the victim reported that Gibson sexually assaulted her numerous times beginning at age 15 and continuing until she aged out of foster care as an adult.
During the investigation, deputies learned that a minor child was currently living in the home. Authorities said they also uncovered allegations of physical abuse by Young against that child.
The child was first taken into Emergency Protective Custody on March 18. A family court judge later returned the child to the home following a March 20 hearing.
After additional interviews and evidence collection, investigators obtained warrants for both Gibson and Young. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Task Force arrested the pair on April 1.
Following the arrests, the minor child was again taken into emergency protective custody.
Neighbors near the 200 block of Fernview Drive said they noticed a large police presence in the area on April 1. Many say the arrests were surprising for the normally quiet neighborhood.
“This is a good neighborhood. We really don’t get that out here, so when you see all those police cars, everybody is going to be looking and seeing what’s going on,” said northeast Columbia resident Norris Canady.
Canady, who has four children, said the situation has made him more cautious about letting them play outside.
I got to keep looking out the window and make sure they stay in the yard and keep my eyes on them,” he said.
Gibson is charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct, second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, unlawful conduct towards a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Young is charged with unlawful conduct towards a minor.
Both were taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Gibson was later released on a $75,000 surety bond, and Young was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond on April 2.
Officials said Gibson is a pastor with Pathway 2 Hope Ministries and Young owns and operates DreamCatcher Child Development Center.
The ministries has been renting an event center in northeast Columbia for Sunday services over the past, according to the property owner. The property owner said she was not made aware of the arrests prior to today.
It is currently unclear how many children attend Young’s daycare or whether parents have been notified about the charges against her.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services confirmed that Young was previously licensed as a foster parent in the state from June 30, 2021, through June 5, 2025. During that time, placement records show she cared for six children in her home through the South Carolina Youth Advocate Program.
DSS said Young voluntarily relinquished her foster parent license in June 2025.
According to DSS, Gibson was not listed on the foster home license and there was no mention of him living in the home during the time Young was licensed. DSS records also indicated that Young reported she was not married and was not in a relationship while serving as a foster parent.
According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Gibson also has a prior conviction in Fairfield County from 1999 for possession of cocaine.
Because of their roles, authorities said both had proximity to other children and are asking anyone with information about potential additional victims to call 911 to report it or submit a tip anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Deputies say both had proximity to other children and are asking anyone with information about potential additional victims to come forward.
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Casper, Wyoming. (Joshua Wolfson/WyoFile)
CHEYENNE, WY — A former Wyoming Catholic youth minister and teacher in Casper sexually assaulted three boys while they took part in youth programs facilitated by a local church and the Diocese of Cheyenne, a lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges.
The civil complaint alleges that then-Wyoming Catholic youth minister Doug Hudson sexually assaulted the three boys in the 1990s. The complaint also lists the Diocese of Cheyenne, which oversees parishes throughout Wyoming, and Our Lady of Fatima Church in Casper as defendants, stating that they failed to “supervise and control” Hudson and protect the plaintiffs, which allowed for the alleged sexual assaults to occur.
A spokesperson for the diocese declined to comment on the lawsuit until diocesan officials have consulted with legal counsel. He said in an email to WyoFile that the diocese plans to respond publicly to the allegations “in the near future.”
WyoFile attempted to contact Hudson through multiple phone numbers listed online under his name and through other people. Some calls were disconnected. WyoFile left voice messages at two numbers. A reporter called another, but the person who answered hung up when the reporter asked if the number belonged to Hudson. Other people that WyoFile asked didn’t have Hudson’s contact information or declined to share it.
Hudson’s court summons lists a North Carolina address, although WyoFile found records that appear to show a person with his name moved from North Carolina to Kentucky in 2024.
The allegations
As minors, the plaintiffs had taken part in Our Lady of Fatima Church’s youth programs, where Hudson worked as a youth minister under the Diocese of Cheyenne, the complaint states. All three allege that Hudson sexually assaulted them during one of these programs.
The Diocese of Cheyenne and Our Lady of Fatima Church provided Hudson with housing on its Casper campus for conducting youth activities and services. Two of Hudson’s accusers say he assaulted them at that home, the complaint states.
Plaintiffs allege that the Diocese of Cheyenne and Our Lady of Fatima Church knew Hudson was inviting minors to his house on campus. They also believe the diocese and the church were aware that Hudson had organized at least one off-campus overnight trip for youth activities and services.
At the time, Hudson was supervised by Father Pietro Philip Colibraro, the lawsuit states. The Diocese of Cheyenne acknowledged a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse, reported in 2005, against Colibraro that involved an adolescent male. Colibraro, who died in 2017, became co-pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church in 1990, then sole pastor of the church in 1997. He stayed there until his retirement in 2001.
According to the complaint, Colibraro was warned that Hudson was “plying adolescent males with alcohol.” The lawsuit doesn’t say who warned Colibraro or how this information came to light.
The lawsuit alleges Hudson sexually assaulted plaintiffs Anthony Jacobson and Ryan Axlund in 1995 and 1997, respectively, at the house provided by the Diocese of Cheyenne and the church. At the time, they were both minors.
According to the complaint, Hudson had “plied” each of them “with copious amounts of alcohol, including Southern Comfort” and assaulted them when they were intoxicated. Both “passed out from the alcohol intoxication,” the lawsuit states.
The complaint alleges Hudson sexually assaulted another plaintiff, James Stress, in 1996 or 1997 at a hotel during an off-campus overnight trip. According to the complaint, Hudson was assigned through the church’s youth ministry to be Stress’ personal counselor. The minister was also Stress’ teacher at Saint Anthony Tri-Parish Catholic School.
At the hotel, Hudson gave Stress “copious amounts of alcohol” and sexually assaulted him while he was intoxicated, according to the lawsuit. Stress eventually blacked out, the document states.
The complaint seeks damages of at least $50,000 per plaintiff to pay for their “bodily injury,” including past and future medical expenses and “mental pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.”
Statute of limitations
While allegations of sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic leaders have occurred across the country, prosecutors in many states have run out of time to press charges.
Wyoming, however, is one of a handful of states that doesn’t have a statute of limitations for child sexual abuse crimes, meaning criminal charges can be brought at any time in the future. For civil litigation, like the case against Hudson, accusers can file a complaint within eight years after a minor turns 18, or within three years after the “discovery” of injury caused by childhood sexual abuse, whichever is later.
While he didn’t speak specifically about his clients, Dallas Laird, one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, said that sometimes people “don’t discover what happened to them until they wonder why their life has gone the way it has, and they go to therapy.”
The lawsuit states that Jacobson and Axlund discovered in March 2024 and Stress discovered in April 2024 that Hudson had allegedly sexually assaulted them. It does not provide additional details about those discoveries.
According to Laird, one of the plaintiffs made a complaint to Casper police “when he found out what he thought happened to him.” A spokesperson for the Casper Police Department didn’t confirm or deny this, stating in an email that Wyoming law bars the department “from disclosing any information that may reasonably identify a victim or suspect in a sexual assault investigation until that investigation has been formally filed in district court.”
Laird, who lives in Casper, said he had never talked with Hudson before. “But I hope to be able to take his deposition at some point,” he added. Two Cheyenne attorneys, James and Michael Fitzgerald, are also representing the plaintiffs.
Laird said he advised his clients not to speak with the press.
The new allegations add to a list of abuse accusations against Catholic leaders and staff in Wyoming, perhaps the most infamous being former Wyoming Bishop Joseph Hart, who faced multiple sexual abuse allegations found credible by the Diocese of Cheyenne. People first came forward with allegations of abuse in 1989, but Hart, who died in 2023, steadfastly maintained his innocence, and a Vatican investigation later exonerated him of multiple allegations.
Meanwhile, Wyoming’s current bishop, Steven Biegler, announced in 2018 that an examination initiated by the diocese and conducted by an outside investigator concluded Hart sexually abused two boys in Wyoming. A month later, the diocese reported a third abuse allegation against Hart that it deemed credible.
NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A Pasco County pastor, who once served as a local deputy, has been arrested on multiple allegations of molestation, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office told 8 On Your Side that they had investigated reports of 56-year-old Angelo Musicaro, pastor of Worship-Life Church in New Port Richey, “being inappropriate” with four children on multiple occasions between 2021 and 2026.
Unsealed criminal complaints revealed some details of the allegations.
In one case, a child victim told an investigator that she frequently visited Musicaro’s house between 2021 and 2025. The alleged victim said he touched her inappropriately underneath her clothing on five separate incidents, according to a criminal complaint.
“Subsequent to your affiant’s investigation, a forensic interview was conducted with the juvenile victim,” the affidavit said. “The forensic specialist conducting the aforementioned interview confirmed positive findings of sexual abuse for this victim and several other juvenile victims who were also victimized by the defendant.”
In another criminal complaint affidavit, a victim said she was instructed by Musicaro to undress and commit a lewd act with the defendant in 2021. The document states that another child was present and saw this happen.
According to the affidavit, there were three other instances in 2022, 2023, and 2024 where the victim alleged that Musicaro inappropriately touched her.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said Musicaro previously worked as a PSO deputy from Oct. 10, 1997, to Oct. 29, 2010. During this time, he worked as a school resource officer from July 1, 2002, to Feb. 27, 2006, and later on, he worked as a civilian employee for the sheriff’s office.
“The victims in this case are safe and receiving the necessary resources,” the sheriff’s office said.
While the sheriff’s office said the incidents are believed to be isolated, they did ask anyone who may be or know a victim to call the PSO Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 or report tips online at PascoSheriff.com/tips.
8 On Your Side has made contact with Worship-Life Church, and leadership believes the allegations are untrue.
“I know this man. I’ve been with him for years. I’ve seen the good, the bad, the ugly, and there’s no way I believe this in any way,” said JayCee Gilbert, a pastor at the church.
“Pastor Angelo has a huge heart. We’ve gone on mission trips together. He is authentic. He is someone this community has rallied behind in the eyes of the Lord,” said Stephen Salanitri, a volunteer and pastor at the church.
Musicaro has been charged with four felony charges relating to child molestation. He is in custody, and has been given a no contact order for all the alleged victims.
BALTIMORE, MD — One of the insurers in the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy case has agreed to pay to settle some claims, according to a court filing.
WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates has learned Hartford Insurance Group will pay $100 million to settle claims from some victims, documents show.
The group will also buy back all of the insurance policies from the archdiocese.
Attorneys for the committee representing the survivors said the move is a big step forward.
“It is significant,” said Jonathan Schochor. “It is not going to get it done — not even close to getting it done. It is significant for an insurance carrier to step up and do what they need to do.”
In a statement, Christian Kendzierski, executive director for the archdiocese, said: “The archdiocese continues to be committed to the process and working with the Survivors Committee and others to achieve agreed-upon resolution of these reorganization proceedings.”
Matthew Sturdevant, a spokesman for The Hartford, said they don’t comment on active proceedings “beyond what is available in court records.”
Pastor Ryan Pena, previously of the Church of Acts, was arrested and charged with Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child (SBG San Antonio)
SAN ANTONIO, TX — A local pastor has been arrested and charged with Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child after two women came forward against him.
On April 3, 2026, Pastor Ryan Pena, who had previously been associated with the Church of Acts, was arrested and charged with Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child after investigators in California reached out to the San Antonio Police Department.
According to arrest records from Bexar County, the two victims, now adults, are family members of Pena. The victims told investigators they had been brutally assaulted as far back as 2008.
Both victims recalled graphic descriptions of abuse that started when they were as young as 6 to 8 years old, all the way until the victims were in their late teens.
The victims both reported that they had previously disclosed the incidents to family members but did not contact police at the time because they were trying to move on.
However, in March of 2026, both victims told police they were ready to press charges. An investigator interviewed the defendant at his home, where he was informed of his rights.
The defendant acknowledged awareness of past allegations, appeared hesitant to speak, and suggested the victims’ claims were based on dreams or mental health issues.
He also attempted to discredit one victim’s family. The interview ended when the defendant requested an attorney.
After taking both the victim’s allegations and the suspect’s statements into account, detectives with the San Antonio Police Department secured a warrant for Pena’s arrest.
Ryan Pena has been arrested and charged with SEX ABUSE OF CHILD CONTINUOUS: VICTIM UNDER 14. He was released from custody after posting a bond amount of $150,000.
Accused child abuser, pastor Lawrence Turnbull, in 2017. (Photo from Facebook)
ST. THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS — Federal prosecutors charged a St. Thomas church leader with transporting a teenage girl for illicit sexual contact, the U.S. Justice Department announced Friday.
Lawrence Turnbull, 65, a senior pastor at St. Paul Baptist Church, allegedly brought the girl to Lindqvist Beach and other locations, where he ignored her pleas to go home. He allegedly kissed and fondled her against her wishes between October 2023 and June 2024, according to court records.
Court records only described the victim as being a girl under 18, and Turnbull as her pastor.
Turnbull was charged with two counts of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, three counts of first-degree unlawful sexual contact, coercion and enticement, and child abuse on March 6. Court records were sealed until April 1
U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Teague scheduled a June 1 trial. If convicted, Turnbull would face a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, and could be sentenced to life. Prosecutors may also seek forfeiture of two vehicles Turnbull allegedly used to transport the girl, a silver, four-door, 2018 Toyota Corolla and a brown 2012 Lincoln MKZ, according to court records.
Turnbull was released on $50,000 bail and ordered not to return to the church or be around children, according to court records.
In 2018, Turnbull told a Baptist magazine that about 100 people attended his church and that he believed God had sent the 2017 hurricanes as a way to spread the Christian gospel.
House Rep. Carol McEntee speaks in support of “Annie’s Law” to her fellow House Judiciary Committee members at the Rhode Island State House on March 12.
The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill on a 9-to-1 vote on Thursday, April 2, setting the stage for a House debate and vote as early as next week. The only nay vote was cast by Rep. David Place, R-Burrillville.
What does the bill do? It allows victims to sue so-called “non-perpetrators” who did not commit the abuse but made it possible by action and inaction, such as moving offending priests from parish to parish. It also removes the expired time limits on lawsuits filed by victims against the church and other “institutions” for a two-year period. This “revival window” would end on June 30, 2028.
If this seems familiar: The House approved a version of the bill in 2025 on a 67-to-5 vote, with Republican Rep. Brian Newberry, a lawyer, raising the only arguments against it during debate. He said it would open Rhode Island to the potential loss of insurance companies that no longer are willing to write policies in states that “revive” decades-old claims.
This was Senate President Valarie Lawson’s response on Thursday when asked the prospects for passage this year: “I spent my career in the classroom. There is no greater responsibility for those entrusted with the care of children than ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
“Attorney General Neronha’s report documents the extensive, horrifying abuse that took place across Rhode Island and the repeated failures of the Church to protect innocent children. The Senate Leadership met today with two individuals who have shared their stories with the committee in the past, Ann Webb and Hub Brennan.
“Their voices, and the voices of all abuse victims, are foremost in our minds as we consider these bills,” Lawson said. “The Attorney General’s report provides valuable context for the Senate Judiciary Committee as they consider this year’s proposals.”
Senate leaders have, in the past, cited cases where a court struck down a revival window. According to a footnote in Neronha’s report, the advocacy group Child USA has reported that Arkansas, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Guam, Maryland, the Northern Mariana Islands and Vermont have temporarily or permanently provided their own revival windows.
Church warns revived lawsuits could bankrupt the diocese
No one from the diocese testified in person about the bill at a hearing in March.
“Nearly forty Catholic dioceses across the United States have gone into bankruptcy as a result of the passage of legislation similar to H. 7200,” Healey warned.
Without doing anything to protect “young people today,” he wrote, “The most obvious practical result of bills such as this is to generate lawsuits against the church and other institutions both public and private. This will result in millions of dollars in legal fees for plaintiffs’ attorneys.”
But the lead sponsor, House Judiciary Chairwoman Carol McEntee, whose sister was abused as a child for years by their parish priest, said: “This is Rhode Island’s Epstein files.”
She said her bill seeks belated “accountability for powerful men … who take advantage of children for their own pleasure and never are held accountable. Never.”
Other bills aimed at helping RI victims of clergy sex abuse
Two other bills that Neronha recommended were also approved by the Judiciary Committee and sent to the full House.
In second-degree sexual assault cases, there is typically no sexual penetration but something else the attorney general’s investigation documented – the “touching or fondling the genitals of a person, including over their clothes.”
A third bill approved by the committee would extend the state’s mandatory reporting of abuse and neglect requirement to charter schools, parochial schools, after-school programs, camps and various other programs involving children.
