The Bishop of Lincoln has been arrested for sexual assault and suspended from the ministry following a safeguarding complaint.

The Right Reverend Stephen Conway, 68, was detained on Thursday amid an ‘ongoing investigation’ into allegations of sexual violence, Lincolnshire Police confirmed.

The force’s enquiries concern claims a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025.

He has since been released on conditional bail while the investigation continues.

It came after a complaint – the exact nature of which is unknown – was made to the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team (NST) in late January.

The body is in charge of managing complex safeguarding cases, which involve several dioceses, and any implicating senior clergy, such as bishops or deans.

The Diocese of Lincoln confirmed on Friday the bishop had been suspended from the ministry while the NST responds to the complaint.

This is according to protocol outlined in the House of Bishops Code of Practice, which also involves informing ‘the appropriate statutory authorities’.

The Right Reverend Stephen Conway (pictured), 68, was detained amid an ‘ongoing investigation’ into allegations of sexual violence, Lincolnshire Police confirmed

The Right Reverend Stephen Conway (pictured), 68, was detained amid an ‘ongoing investigation’ into allegations of sexual violence, Lincolnshire Police confirmed

It comes days after the newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally (pictured earlier this month), committed to taking safeguarding more seriously than the Church had done in the past.

It comes days after the newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally (pictured earlier this month), committed to taking safeguarding more seriously than the Church had done in the past.

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: ‘On Thursday, February 19, 2026, we arrested a 68-year-old man on suspicion of sexual assault.

‘The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation following an allegation that a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025.

‘The man has since been released on conditional bail.’

It came after a spokesperson for the Diocese of Lincoln said on Friday: ‘The Bishop of Lincoln, the Right Rev Stephen Conway, has been suspended from ministry while a complaint made to the National Safeguarding Team is responded to according to House of Bishops Code of Practice.

‘This includes referral to the appropriate statutory authorities.’

No details of the complaint were given.

The Bishop of Grantham, the Right Rev Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, will take up Conway’s duties during the suspension, they added.

The spokesperson continued: ‘Support is in place for those affected and there will be no further comment while the process is ongoing.

‘We understand that this will be a deeply unsettling time. The Diocesan Safeguarding Team is available for anyone who wishes to contact them.’

Conway was installed as Bishop of Lincoln in 2023, having previously served as Bishop of Ramsbury, in Wiltshire, and Bishop of Ely, in Cambridgeshire.

He has been a member of the House of Lords since 2014, as one of the 26 so-called Lords Spiritual.

These are places in the upper chamber reserved for CofE archbishops and bishops.

Archbishop Dame Sarah Mullally, has recently committed to taking safeguarding more seriously than the Church had done in the past, when she said it had ‘fallen tragically short’.

She told the General Synod last week: ‘Safeguarding is a fundamental, non-negotiable responsibility, sharpened by our past failings and shaped by the work we still have to do.

‘I am committed to bringing an approach of seriousness and focussed direction to all matters relating to safeguarding in all contexts in the church.’

Conway has been contacted for comment.

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Rev. Michael LaMarca is facing a second-degree harassment charge in connection with an incident that occurred in December 2025.

According to North Tonawanda police, on December 23, 2025, police responded to the home of the complainant, who said that while she was in church at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish earlier in the day and got into a verbal argument with LaMarca. She accused LaMarca of grabbing her by both arms and pushing her against a counter.

Police said the complainant reached out to file charges the next day and a warrant for second-degree harassment was applied for.

On January 9, 2026, LaMarca turned himself in to NTPD and was arraigned in the North Tonawanda City Court.

The Diocese of Buffalo reached out to 7 News with the following statement:

“The Diocese of Buffalo is aware of a matter involving Father Michael LaMarca. The Diocese is gathering and examining all available information. We understand that Father LaMarca was never arrested. Father LaMarca was served with a simple appearance ticket, and he pleaded ‘not guilty’ to a single non-criminal violation. The Diocese is committed to its teachings and to upholding Christiana and Catholic values. To that end, the Diocese will allow this matter to be handled in Court and will fully cooperate with law enforcement.”

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A worship pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church was terminated after being arrested Monday night on multiple charges related to the sexual assault of a juvenile, according to a statement from the church.

Kentucky State Police troopers with Post 16 in Henderson arrested David A. Rodgers, 40, of Utica at 7:35 p.m. Monday following an investigation that revealed he had “engaged in a sexual relationship with a juvenile through a position of special trust.”

The church issued a statement on Tuesday concerning the arrest.

“On the evening of February 16, 2026, church leadership was made aware of sexual assault allegations against David Rodgers, who was serving as Worship Pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. We are deeply saddened and troubled by these allegations. The church takes all allegations of sexual assault extremely seriously, and we ask that you join us in prayerfully awaiting information regarding this ongoing legal matter.”

The statement also said, “Effective immediately the staff member has been terminated and prohibited from participating in church-sponsored functions.”

A citation obtained Tuesday morning by The Owensboro Times says that KSP “received a complaint about a sexual relationship between (Rodgers) and a juvenile at the time of the offense” and that Rodgers “came into contact with the juvenile through a position of special trust.”

The citation says during the investigation, Rodgers “was taken into custody, was mirandized and agreed to be interviewed. In the interview, (Rodgers) confessed to the listed offenses.”

Rodgers was charged with third-degree rape, second-degree sodomy involving a position of authority, first-degree sexual abuse, procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under the age of 12, according to KSP.

He is being held on $75,000 full cash bond with an arraignment scheduled for Wednesday morning.

KSP Public Information Officer Corey King told the Owensboro digital newspaper that KSP initially received the complaint around the start of January 2026, but the incidents are alleged to have begun about 10 to 11 years ago and continued for about four to five years.

The church leadership learned of the charges Monday night.

“We understand that for sexual assault survivors, this may initiate feelings of pain and past trauma,” the church said in a statement. “Please know we are praying for you and your continued healing.

“Pleasant Grove has always taken the physical, spiritual, and emotional safety of those on our campus, especially our children, with the utmost concern and that continues to remain of primary importance.”

Rodgers, who was ordained into the gospel ministry in 2008, was removed from the staff page on Pleasant Grove’s website early Tuesday morning.

He was lodged in the Daviess County Detention Center. The investigation remains ongoing.

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A 50-year-old man from Cambridge was placed under arrest on Friday as part of an ongoing investigation into child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Michel Pleau, who is currently a vice-principal for the Waterloo Region Catholic District School Board is facing numerous charges in connection to the investigation.

Regional police have confirmed that the offenses he’s been charged with do not involve any students from the Waterloo Region Catholic District School Board.

The school board has released a statement following the arrest, where they confirm none of their students are effected.

The statement goes on to read “As this matter proceeds through the legal system, we will continue to cooperate fully with police and remain focused on supporting our school community. The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remain our highest priority.”

Pleau has been charged with the following offences:

• Possession of Child Sexual Assault and Exploitation Material
• Making Child Sexual Assault and Exploitation Material
• Distribution of Child Sexual Assault and Exploitation Material
• Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child
• Invitation to Sexual Touching
• Luring a Child Under 16 Years

The investigation is part of a partnership between Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Cybercrime – Internet Child Exploitation Unit as well as the Greater Sudbury Police Service’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit, and had assistance from the Toronto Police Service as well.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 519-570-9777, extension 8492, or 705-675-9171.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service, Greater Sudbury Police Service, and Toronto Police Service are members of the Ontario Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet. This initiative is supported by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

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A Quebec priest has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor, police say.

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) said its major crimes unit arrested Léandre Lapointe, 63, of Beauceville, at his home.

A charge sheet shows that he is facing four counts of sexual exploitation and two counts of sexual assault of a teenager “while he was in a position of authority or trust.”

The court record alleges the abuse took place on several occasions between Oct. 1, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2011.

Lapointe appeared in court in Val d’Or and was released pending further proceedings.

“The offenses were allegedly committed in several areas of the region while the suspect was working as a priest,” including in the towns of Macamic and Val-d’Or, in Quebec’s Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, the SQ said in a news release on Thursday.

“The investigation suggests that there may be other victims.”

Police did not release any additional details.

People can report sexual offences to police by contacting the Criminal Information Centre online, calling 1-800-659-4264, emailing cic@surete.qc.ca, or visiting their local police department.

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A former deacon has been accused of sexual assault and sexual contact with a child during his time as a church leader in central Edmonton.

Frezghi Zerezghi, 48, has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. The latter charge means he is alleged to have touched a person under the age of 16 for a sexual purpose.

At the time of the assault, Zerezghi was serving as a deacon at an Edmonton church, according to a news release from the Edmonton Police Service.

Police have declined to name the congregation where Zerezghi served as church leader or provide more details on when he was removed from his post.

Police said the accused, during his time as a deacon, used a church in the area of 121st Avenue and 103th Street, just north of downtown, for weekly sermons.

Police said investigators have reason to believe others may have been victimized by Zerezghi and are encouraging them to come forward.

Anyone who believes they or their child may have been victimized by the accused is asked to contact Edmonton police.

Zerezghi was arrested on Dec. 12, 2025, but has signed a court undertaking and been released on conditions, police said.

He is due in the Edmonton Court of Justice on Feb. 24.

Court records show the alleged assault and sexual touching took place on November 29, 2025. The identity of the victim is protected by court-ordered publication ban.  According to court staff, he has no previous criminal record.

Police believe there may be more victims of church leader.

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ST. LOUIS (25News Now) – A man who has served as a leader in the Lutheran Church in Illinois was arrested and appeared in court on a charge of child pornography.

Michael William Mohr, 54, of Springfield, was charged by complaint on Wednesday with one count of producing child pornography, according to the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Mohr waived his right to a detention hearing and will be held in jail until trial.

In a release, according to an affidavit, a court-approved search of Mohr’s home in Springfield allegedly found storage devices that contained videos of three juveniles in a bathroom. In a search of a home used by Mohr in Vandalia, hidden cameras disguised as a wall clock and a Bluetooth speaker were also allegedly uncovered.

The DOJ said the investigation began after one of the juveniles told Vandalia Police that he allegedly discovered a camera disguised as an electronic device charger in a hotel bathroom the morning after Mohr performed a sexual act, according to the affidavit.

At the time of his arrest, Mohr was the president of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

In a Thursday letter to the church community, church leaders replaced Mohr with First Vice President Rev. Michael Burdick as the district’s acting president.

The synod said they are cooperating fully with law enforcement and working with affected congregations and parishioners.

The synod encourages anyone who has been harmed to contact law enforcement. Anyone with further information should contact FBI St. Louis Special Agent Trevor Welter at 314-589-2500.

149 congregations, 23 elementary schools and five high schools are listed as part of the Central Illinois District, according to the district’s website, spanning 50 counties across the state.

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The student, who tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection in October, described inappropriate physical contact by a teacher at the Solomon Schechter Day School, according to the Boston Globe.

Multiple investigations are underway, and a private school teacher in Newton, Massachusetts, has been placed on leave after a young child, who tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection, reported the teacher touched them inappropriately.

The Boston Globe reports officials at the Solomon Schechter Day School sent an email to parents on Jan. 15, saying a student at the lower school “described inappropriate physical contact by a teacher at the school during the previous school year.”

The student’s age was not disclosed by school officials, however the lower elementary school is attended by students in pre-kindergarten through third grade. Solomon Schechter‘s head of school, Rebecca Lurie, and the board of trustees’ president, Eytan Shamash, said the student was diagnosed with an STI in early October 2025, according to the Globe.

“This information was immediately reported to the police and child safety authorities, who opened investigations,” they said in the email. “Given the child’s age and the STI involved, abuse was determined to be very likely.”

The teacher was placed on leave on Oct. 31, the Globe said. School officials have not named the teacher, and it’s unknown how long they worked at the school.

“As the family of the student diagnosed with the STI shared additional information, including a report of inappropriate touching by a teacher, we took immediate action and placed the teacher on leave the same day, October 31,” the school told the Globe in a statement Wednesday. “This information was also reported to police and child safety authorities, and their investigations are ongoing. Thus far, the investigations have not resulted in a finding that abuse took place at the school.”

Rachel Stroup, a lawyer for the teacher, told the Globe that her client “vehemently denied the allegations against him and we expect the evidence to show that he did not engage in any misconduct with any child at the school.”

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A Pacoima pastor has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a minor and is accused of using his position in the church to manipulate them, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

The pastor was identified as 32-year-old Pinon Hills resident Junior Andrew Bennett, who goes by “Prophet Junior Bennett” and is the the head pastor of Breakthrough Church in Pacoima, investigators said. Pinon Hills is a community in San Bernardino County north of Wrightwood.

Bennett was arrested on suspicion of sodomy of a minor, lewd acts with a child and oral copulation of a minor on Jan. 14, after authorities received reports of child abuse, according to the sheriff’s department.

Investigators believe Bennett used his position as a pastor to manipulate and then sexually assault minors, the sheriff’s department said. Authorities also believe there may be more victims.

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Jail records from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department show that Bennett was released on bail on Jan. 30.

Social media accounts in Bennett’s and Breakthrough Church’s names indicate that Bennett founded the church and is still active as the church’s pastor.

Bennett and Breakthrough Church had no comment on the arrest when reached on Wednesday afternoon.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department asks anyone with information about the investigation to contact the Victor Valley station at 760-552-6800 or sheriff’s dispatch at 760-956-5001.

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• 70-year-old Reymundo Almaraz was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old male at a Lubbock TruFit gym in June.
• The victim reported being trapped in a dressing room and assaulted after witnessing the suspect acting suspiciously in the locker room.
• Almaraz, a former local ministry leader who recently retired, is no longer in custody following his arrest on Thursday.

A 70-year-old man has been arrested on sexual assault charges following an investigation into a June incident at a Lubbock gym involving a teenager, according to the Lubbock Police Department.

Lubbock pastor arrested

The backstory:

Reymundo Almaraz was taken into custody after multiple members of the public identified him as the suspect in the assault at the TruFit gym located near 82nd Street and Slide Road.

Police records show that officers were dispatched to the gym around 10 p.m. on June 30. When they arrived, investigators learned the victim, a 17-year-old male, was on his way to the hospital for treatment.

The teenager told investigators he was at the gym working out with his girlfriend when he went to the locker room to use the restroom. While waiting for a stall, the victim reported seeing Almaraz in his underwear, appearing to watch or record another teenager in the locker room.

According to the police report, the situation escalated after the victim entered a bathroom stall. Almaraz allegedly entered the adjacent stall, repeatedly placed his leg under the partition, and demanded to be let into the victim’s stall.

The victim told police that after he eventually exited the stall, Almaraz cornered him in a dressing room, blocked the door with a chair, and locked it. The report states Almaraz held the teenager in place, made several sexual demands, and sexually assaulted him.

Investigators say the victim attempted to resist, at which point Almaraz allegedly slammed the teenager against a bar in the dressing room and struck the boy’s knee with his own. The victim told police he eventually kicked Almaraz away, providing an opening to escape the room and run to the main gym area to find his girlfriend.

Authorities released details of the assault to the public shortly after the incident, leading to Almaraz’s identification and subsequent arrest.

Almaraz was arrested on Thursday. He is no longer listed as being in the Lubbock County Detention Center.

According to a ministry leader at Emmanuel Worship Center in Lubbock, Alvaraz “retired some time in the summer.” FOX Local has requested a statement from the church via email, but did not receive a written response.

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