OAKVILLE, ONTARIO — Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) have laid a sexual assault charge against an Oakville clergyman after receiving a complaint last month.

Police released a statement earlier today saying that authorities have charged a Catholic Priest employed in Oakville with sexual assault following a month-long investigation.

In early February 2026, HRPS say they began an investigation into “an allegation of sexual assault committed against an adult female while the victim was volunteering at an Oakville church.”

As a result of the investigation, Reverend Ranjan D’Sa (53) of Oakville has been charged with one count of Sexual Assault.

Reverend D’Sa has been a member of the clergy since 2010 and has been employed with St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church in Oakville since 2016. The Church’s website lists D’Sa as the serving Pastor.

D’Sa was released on an Undertaking with a future court date in Milton.

Sexual assault is any touching of another person without their consent where the touching is of a sexual nature, or where the sexual integrity of the victim is violated. A sexual assault can range from unwanted touching to sexual assault involving penetration.

Investigators say they are concerned there may be additional victims.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation, or anyone who has been victimized by D’Sa, is being asked to contact the HRPS Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 8970.

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EAST MEADOW, NY — A 43-year-old man accused of inappropriately touching a teen girl in East Meadow was arrested on Friday.

Selvin Bonilla Navarrete, of Westbury, was a church choir director at Iglesia Pentecostal Jesus Es at the time of the incident on Jan. 4.

Police say he drove the 14-year-old victim to parking lot at 1847 Front St. that afternoon and proceeded to touch her.

Navarrete has since been charged with sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

He is set to be arraigned Saturday at First District Court in Hempstead.

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SAN DIEGO, CA — Authorities tracked down the fugitive after he fled to the U.S. from Mexico

A former pastor from Mexico accused of sex crimes against a minor was among two fugitives captured by U.S. Border Patrol agents after fleeing to Southern California. Salvador Suazo-Garcia, who was wanted in Mexico for lewd and lascivious acts involving a child, was arrested in Lemon Grove on March 6. In a separate case, agents in Anaheim nabbed Silvia Del Rosario Torres-Castro, a Mexican national wanted for homicide.

Why It matters

The arrests highlight how some migrants labeled ‘non-criminal’ in the U.S. can still be wanted for serious crimes abroad. The cases also raise questions about border security and the vetting process for migrants entering the country.

The details

Suazo-Garcia originally entered the U.S. legally in May 2021, but his visa was later revoked over the child sex abuse allegations. Authorities tracked him down through cross-border intelligence sharing and arrested him while he was driving a truck. Torres-Castro entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 through the Imperial Beach area. Both fugitives were taken into custody without incident and later turned over to Mexican officials.

• Suazo-Garcia entered the U.S. legally in May 2021.
• Suazo-Garcia was arrested on March 6, 2026.
• Torres-Castro entered the U.S. illegally in 2023.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The details surrounding the alleged sex crimes and homicide in Mexico were not provided, so it is unclear what the next steps will be in those cases.

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PAISLEY, SCOTLAND — A Roman Catholic priest has been warned he faces jail after being convicted of sexually assaulting a man in the house at his church.

Father Stephen Baillie, who was the parish priest at St Joseph’s Church in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, abused his victim after they had been on a night out together.

Baillie, who has been a priest for 36 years, denied the single charge against him.

But he was convicted by a jury at Paisley Sheriff Court and warned he faces jail when sentenced next month. The Diocese of Paisley said Baillie has now been removed as a parish priest.

Baillie was released on bail until sentencing.

The sheriff said he was “duty bound” to obtain background reports because Baillie was a first offender and warned that the normal term for such an offence was a “pretty lengthy” term of imprisonment.

Sheriff McGinty said he would allow Baillie to put his affairs “in order” before passing sentence.

Baillie was also placed on the sex offenders’ register, with the exact period he spends on it to be decided when he is sentenced.

The priest has served at churches in Eaglesham, Clarkston, Paisley and Greenock.

The trial heard his victim was physically sick after Baillie attempted to perform a sex act on him after a night out in June 2024.

Baillie assaulted the man while he was “heavily intoxicated and unable to consent”.

The attack happened after they shared a bottle of wine over dinner at a restaurant in Clarkston and drank at a bar before going to Baillie’s home on Eaglesham Road.

The man told the jury that he had agreed to go to the house to call a taxi and Baillie had offered him more alcohol.

He said Baillie performed a number of sex acts on him while at the house – including when he said he needed to leave to get some air.

At one point the victim vomited and was attacked while trying to clean himself up.

A statement on behalf of the Diocese of Paisley described Baillie as “a former priest of the diocese”.

It said the offence was reported directly to Police Scotland by the complainer, and the diocese was not approached prior to the police investigation.

“As the complainer was not identified as a child or vulnerable adult, the case does not fall within the church’s safeguarding procedures as defined under national safeguarding policy,” it said.

“The diocese nevertheless recognises that the conduct established in court represents behaviour incompatible with the standards expected of ordained ministry and commends the courage of those who came forward to report the matter and participate in what has been a long and painful process.”

It said a “canonical process” was underway to decide what action to take next and Baillie had been removed from his role as a parish priest after his conviction.

“The diocese continues to work to foster a culture of care, through a shared commitment to creating and sustaining safe church environments,” the statement said.

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SOUTH INDIA — Protestant bishop orders CCTV monitoring of all pastoral counselling in a Church of South India diocese

A Protestant bishop in the southern Indian Kerala state has directed all his priests to conduct their pastoral counseling sessions under camera surveillance following the arrest of a pastor accused of assaulting a 19-year-old girl who had approached him for counseling.

Bishop Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian of the Church of South India’s Madhya (Central) Kerala diocese issued the direction after police arrested Father Santosh Mathew, vicar of the Church in Idukki district, on March 15.

The 53-year-old pastor had been absconding ever since the victim’s family complained to police of sexual assault against him last month.

A police team tracked Mathew to the Catholic Marian pilgrimage center in Velankanni in neighboring Tamil Nadu. A court in Kerala remanded him to 14-day judicial custody.

According to the police complaint, the crime took place on Feb. 7 when the victim, along with her mother, approached Mathew for counselling. He asked her mother to pray inside the Church and took her to the presbytery where he sexually assaulted her, it said.

“Our bishop has instructed that all counselling sessions should be held under the watchful eyes of CCTV cameras,” Father Jiji John Jacob, the diocesan treasurer, told UCA News on March 18.

Jacob clarified that the CCTV recording will be strictly for safety and evidential purposes, and no conversion will be recorded. “The privacy of those seeking counseling will also be protected,” he added.

Meanwhile, the accused pastor has been suspended following his arrest. “We are also holding an internal probe against him to know the truth about the charges against him,” Jacob said.

Father Aniyan K. Paul, the diocesan clergy secretary, said the CSI has a zero-tolerance policy for the sexual abuse of women.

“The diocese will not protect the pastor if he is found guilty,” he noted.

A Church official who did not want to be named told UCA News that the priest had a clean record.

“We will wait for the police to complete the probe, which should reveal the truth behind the serious allegations,” he added.

He said several people within the diocese and in the parish believe the priest has been deliberately trapped in the case to settle personal enmity and family feuds.

The CSI was formed in 1947 after India’s independence from Britain as a union of Protestant denominations. Its counterpart in north India is known as the Church of North India (CNI).

With about 4 million members, CSI is the second-largest Christian denomination in India. It has 24 dioceses, including one in neighboring Sri Lanka.

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BIRMINGHAM, AL — Leaders of The Ramp, a church based in Hamilton, issued a public statement addressing allegations of past misconduct involving a former staff member, saying the matter has been reported to authorities and is under investigation.

The Ramp describes itself on its website as, “The Ramp is a global ministry with a passion and mission to awaken a generation, equip them for their purpose, and send them out to change their world.”

According to the statement, an individual recently came forward alleging they experienced inappropriate sexual contact by a staff member approximately four years ago, when they were a minor. The church identified the staff member as Samuel Bentley.

Church leadership said the allegation was discussed with Bentley, who admitted to the claim. He was subsequently terminated from his position, and the organization’s board of directors was notified. The matter was also reported to appropriate authorities.

A few days later, Bentley disclosed a second incident involving another minor, which was also reported, according to the statement. Leaders said they are cooperating with law enforcement.

The statement noted that, based on current information, the reported incidents did not occur on church property or in connection with Ramp University.

In response, The Ramp announced it has canceled upcoming events, including College Days and Spring Ramp, and is instead holding gatherings focused on prayer and reflection.

Leaders said their priority is supporting those affected and reaffirmed a commitment to safety, accountability, and transparency. The statement also noted that the individuals involved have requested to remain anonymous and asked the community to respect their privacy.

The Hamilton Police Department released a statement addressing the matter Wednesday, March 18. The police department said it is currently not involved in the investigation.

The Hamilton Police Department is aware of the statement released by The Ramp regarding allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a former staff member. This investigation is being handled by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA SBI). At this time, the Hamilton Police Department is not involved in this matter. Any reports or concerns related to this matter should be directed to ALEA SBI, which is the lead investigating agency.

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A former Gilman School pastor has been indicted by the State of Maryland on charges that he sexually abused a minor.

Laurence LaPointe, a pastor for the Corpus Christi Parish in Willimantic, Connecticut, has been charged with committing a third-degree sex offense with someone under 14 years old and causing abuse to a minor under the age of 18.

The offense dates range from 1975 to 1977, according to court documentation.

The Diocese of Norwich, which is over the Corpus Christi Parish, has placed LaPointe on leave, as of March 6, due to an investigation by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, according to a news release from the diocese.

The investigation found that LaPointe may have abused another minor in Connecticut in the early 1970s. The Diocese of Norwich said LaPointe’s indictment of Maryland was unknown to the diocese until March 11.

According to The Diocese of Norwich, LaPointe has denied all allegations.

Bishop Richard F. Reidy, with The Diocese of Norwich, said the seriousness of the allegations against LaPointe warranted him being put on leave.

“The clergy abuse crisis has caused profound harm to victims, their families, and the Church,” said Bishop Richard F. Reidy. “The Diocese of Norwich maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any cleric, employee, or volunteer found to have abused a minor.”

LaPointe is is scheduled to appear in Baltimore Circuit Court on March 26. No attorney was listed in the documents.

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office could not immediately be reached for comment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Laurence LaPointe, a former Gilman School pastor, has been indicted by the State of Maryland on charges of sexually abusing a minor dating back to 1975-1977.
• The Diocese of Norwich has placed LaPointe on leave due to an investigation by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, which found potential abuse of another minor in the early 1970s.
• LaPointe has denied all allegations, and is scheduled to appear in Baltimore Circuit Court on March 26 with no listed attorney.

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Korey LaVergne, 37, of the Lafayette diocese, charged with three counts of felony indecent behavior with a juvenile

A Roman Catholic priest in the south-west Louisiana diocese where the US church’s clergy abuse scandal effectively started decades ago has been formally charged with three counts of felony indecent behavior with a juvenile.

A bill of information from the district attorney for Acadia parish charges 37-year-old Korey LaVergne with three counts of felony indecent behavior with a juvenile who was 15 at the time of the alleged offenses.

Court documents charge LaVergne with “willfully, unlawfully, knowingly and intentionally [committing] lewd or lascivious acts upon [the] juvenile” – or in the presence of the minor – on or about 1 January 2024. The charges contend that LaVergne had the “intention of arousing or gratifying the sexual desires of either person”.

A document dated 11 March filed by LaVergne’s attorneys state that the clergyman opted to waive his formal arraignment and in writing pleaded not guilty to the charges outlined in the bill of information.

LaVergne is a priest for the diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Another Lafayette diocese priest named Gilbert Gauthe brought the Catholic clergy abuse crisis to the US’s collective conscience by pleading guilty in 1985 to molesting several boys he encountered through his ministry.

He served 10 years in prison and now lives in Texas, and he has continued to be named in civil lawsuits from victims seeking damages from the Lafayette diocese over their abuse at Gauthe’s hands.

LaVergne’s formal charges came after he was arrested in mid-January on the same three counts referred to in the bill of information.

At the time, records showed that LaVergne, the pastor at the St Edward Catholic church in the community of Richard, posted bail of $15,000 less than 90 minutes after being jailed. That secured his release from custody while the case proceeds.

A week after his arrest, the Guardian obtained the investigators’ initial report on the case, which stated that LaVergne had been jailed after local authorities were told that the clergyman had “inappropriately touched a child” over the course of a year.

The Lafayette news station KADN reported on 16 January that another priest had reported the allegations against LaVergne to authorities prior to his arrest.

A pretrial hearing in the case has been tentatively scheduled for 12 June after LaVergne’s attorney filed a series of standard court motions, records show.

Neither LaVergne nor his attorney immediately responded to requests for comment from the Guardian on Friday regarding the formal charges.

LaVergne faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Generally, under Louisiana law, indecent behavior with a juvenile can be punished with up to seven years in prison.

The state defines the offense as “any lewd or lascivious act … in the presence of any child under the age of 17”. The law also states that messages – including texts – and actions alleged to constitute grooming can fall under the offense.

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Suffolk County police arrested a North Bay Shore man accused of sexually abusing a pair of kids multiple times spanning nearly two decades.

Officers took Bernardo Amaya, 75, into custody at his home around 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Investigators accused him of inappropriately touching an 8-year-old girl in August.

As part of the investigation, Suffolk County police Special Victims Section detectives also said Amaya inappropriately touched a child in May and June of 2007 when the child was only four years old.

Police said Amaya came in contact with the victims at his North Bay Shore home at 1753 Pine Grove Blvd., where a family member was a childcare worker.

Amaya worked as a bus driver for Educational Bus Inc. in West Babylon.

Educational Bus Transportation spokesperson Lloyd Singer told News 12 in a statement: “Educational Bus Transportation takes this matter very seriously. We are currently reviewing the situation and will cooperate fully with law enforcement. The driver in question has been removed from service pending the outcome of the investigation. The safety of the students and communities we serve remains our top priority.”

Police said Amaya also works at Saint Luke’s Roman Catholic Church in Brentwood. News 12 reached out to the church for comment this morning, but has not yet heard back.

Police charged Amaya with two counts of 1st degree sexual abuse and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

He’s scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip today. Detectives are asking anyone who believes they could have been a victim of Amaya to contact the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6184.

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The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Cyber Security Authority and National Security, has arrested a pastor in connection with offences involving a minor, including defilement and the production and possession of child sexual abuse materials.

The Director General of CID, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, made the announcement during a press conference on Monday, March 9, providing details of the joint operation and the ongoing investigation.

The suspect, Ebenezer Kondua, aged 45, is the lead pastor at Mahanaim Christian Centre in Ankaful, Cape Coast.

He was apprehended in Waraba, a suburb of Iguasi, during a joint intelligence-led operation in the early hours of March 6, 2026.

Investigations revealed that the suspect operates a Facebook profile under the name Reverend Dr. Kondua, where he presents himself as a trained gynaecologist and international marriage counsellor.

Evidence indicates that in August 2021, he invited a then 13-year-old junior high school student into his home under the guise of providing spiritual counselling and behavioural correction.

From that point, he allegedly subjected the minor to repeated sexual abuse over an extended period.

“The suspect repeatedly subjected the survivor to sexual abuse and recorded videos of the acts on his mobile phone,” COP Donkor said.

“In some instances, he forced the survivor to hold up materials, display an adult pornographic website, and state on camera that she was accessible on that platform with apparent intent to distribute such content online.”

The abuse was uncovered when the survivor confided in her school headmistress. A complaint was subsequently filed with the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Cape Coast, and a formal case was referred to the Cape Coast Circuit Court.

During the arrest, authorities recovered various items from the suspect’s home, now undergoing forensic analysis.

These include one HP laptop, three external hard drives, five pen drives, a mobile phone, a tablet, electronic vibrators, assorted contraceptives, lubricants, a used pregnancy test, and two ladies’ panties.

With the technical assistance of the Cyber Security Authority, forensic investigators found evidence of child sexual abuse material production and discovered three private pornographic website accounts on the suspect’s digital devices.

The suspect was previously charged with defamation of a female child under 16 and child pornography offences.

Upon his re-arrest on March 8, 2026, he faced a new charge of possessing an indecent image or photograph of a child, under Sections 62 and 63 of the Cybersecurity Act 2020, Act 1038.

He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear in court on March 27, 2026.

COP Donkor emphasised that the arrest reflects Ghana’s ongoing commitment to child protection, particularly in the online environment.

“This case underscores the commitments made at the highest levels of our institutions—the Ghana Police Service, the Cybersecurity Authority, and National Security—to ensure that every child is safe and protected online,” she said.

The Director General highlighted the importance of combating online child sexual exploitation (OCSE), which includes grooming, sextortion, production and distribution of child sexual abuse materials, and live-streamed abuse.

She noted the pivotal role of the CID and the Child Protection Digital Forensic Laboratory in investigating such crimes, alongside efforts by the Cybersecurity Authority and international partners, including UNICEF.

“The Ghana Police Service, the Cybersecurity Authority and National Security want to assure the public that this case is being handled with the utmost seriousness and that all necessary legal actions will be taken to ensure justice,” COP Donkor stated.

“Our commitment remains unwavering to utilise technology and collaboration to make Ghana’s digital space safer for every child.”

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