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Russian Orthodox Priest Charged with Child Sex Abuse

An artist’s rendering of Matthew Williams in court. Credit: PokrovTruthSubstack

On Thursday, the 29th of January 2026, suspended ROCOR (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia) Fr Matthew Williams made his first court appearance of the year in Abingdon Virginia, for multiple child sex abuse charges.

According to the website of the Sullivan County Online Court Record System, the next court appearance on sexual abuse charges of suspended ROCOR (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia) priest Matthew Williams will be on 10th of March 2026 at 9:00am at the Circuit Court of Sullivan County, 140 Blountville Bypass, Blountville, Tennessee.

See link to court system entry here: https://sullivan.tncrtinfo.com/crCaseForm.aspx?id=5A1E43AF-BFC5-4F4F-A85B-212D1F881A84&dsid=8b75b879 and click on “Charges” tab.

The charges he is facing here are 2 counts of

  1. Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure

In Tennessee, Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure (TCA § 39-13-527) is classified as a Class C felony. Convictions for this offense carry severe penalties, with a mandatory prison term ranging from 3 to 15 years.

Key Details on Sentencing:

  • Imprisonment Term: 3 to 15 years in state prison.
  • Fine: Up to $10,000.
  • Probation: Alternative sentencing with probation is not an option.
  • Registration: Mandatory lifetime registration as a sex offender.

Read the latest

Abuse survivors testify in Albany diocese bankruptcy case

Impact statements from survivors of alleged sexual abuse by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany will be given in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sept. 10.

Multiple survivors came forward in 2022 when New York’s Child Victims Act made it possible for them to file lawsuits years after the abuse occurred by temporarily lifting the statute of limitations.

The diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2023, which put many of the cases on hold. An attorney for some of the alleged victims spoke with NEWS10 one day after the filing.

At that time, attorney Cynthia LaFave told NEWS10 the diocese controls more than $600 million in assets. She believed the bankruptcy filing was meant to delay unsettled cases because legal action against the diocese could not move forward until the bankruptcy proceedings were resolved.

Any statements being made on September 10, however, will not be considered evidence in the bankruptcy case, according to court documents. They are meant to give survivors an opportunity to be heard.

The bankruptcy filing also meant litigation over the Saint Clare’s Hospital pension was paused. Hundreds of hospital workers lost their pensions in 2018 and joined a lawsuit from the New York Attorney General’s Office to try to force the diocese to re-establish the retirement fund.

Any survivors who wish to make a statement may do so. Statements must be made in-person at the James T. Foley United States Courthouse on Broadway in downtown Albany. If a survivor does not want to present their statement, it can be read by counsel at the hearing.

Court documents state the hearing will extend to September 11 and September 12 if necessary to give all survivors who wish to give a statement the opportunity to do so.

Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of the Albany diocese will be in attendance.