The Police Report
August 20, 2015 in Sovereign Grace Ministries
Someone obtained a copy of the police report relating to Gene Emerson’s arrest on solicitation charges.
Here is the first page (click to enlarge): [WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT/LANGUAGE]
Here is the second page (click to enlarge):
and the third page (click to enlarge):
© 2015, Kris. All rights reserved.
No surprise. The CLC pastors took down the photos of father and daughter during the night under pressure as a result of bringing it to the public’s attention. They would be covering up everything related to Caffery if not for going public with the story.
Now we wait to see if they inform the church of his arrest and his role in Children’s Ministry. If so, it is because they are under great pressure to do so. From the beginning of the church in 1979, the CLC pastors have never informed the membership of known, suspected, or convicted sex abusers in their midst.
During the mandatory children’s ministry worker training, which consisted of pretty much every parent in the church, we were always told there may be and are those in the church who are prohibited from entering children’s ministry area due to sexual misconduct or other concerns. They also had the mandatory “two adults at all times” rule so a child could never be alone with an adult in CM…a true logistical nuisance. The security guards manning those doors had the names and photos of those prohibited from being near children. We as parents were constantly exhorted to never let our children run all over the building unattended because it is an open campus and anyone could be in the building. They had a prison ministry and guests from all walks of life.
I’ve never heard any reports of an incident occurring at CLC.
One point not necessarily highlighted in the discussion about how much detail to reveal was that, in this case, some extra information had to be told in order to show the connection between Caffery, his book, and SGM/CLC pastors. This isn’t simply an abuse case; neither is it simply an innocent case of pastors being caught off guard or even a case of leaders who have a history of covering up cases of abuse within the church** having to deal with it again. It’s a case of leaders who had some sense of the potential for danger ignoring the signs/lacking discernment or judgement and putting children at risk with their non-action. Again.
This is not just about alerting the world to Caffery, it’s about alerting people to CLC/SGM/SGC (and yes, SGM, though not directly involved now, was involved up until recently).
**By “abuse within the church” I do not mean that the acts of abuse necessarily occurred on church property or during church events. I mean church members abusing other church members, regardless of time or location.
Amen, Out There.
I have re-read Brent’s article and I would like to ask a question in order to learn the truth of this sad and sickening news.
Is it possible that no pastor (or anyone else) at CLC read the three sentences that express Larry”s “fears of sexual abuse,should he ever have a daughter”? Did they “speed read” and miss those sentences?
Brent’s article did not say what topics were covered in the counseling sessions with Kenneth Maresco. Am I wrong here? If no pastor at CLC was aware of Larry’s sinful desires, than Larry could have simply lied on his children ministry application and allowed to serve without knowing of his sinful desires.
I spoke with Larry on a regular basis for years. I enjoyed talking with him and would never have suspected any of this sinful behavior that has come to light. I remember him telling me of his book but I never followed up on that. I talked with him briefly three weeks ago, without any hint of what was to come about.
I am deeply grieved and upset by the abuse suffered by Larry’s daughter. As a victim of child abuse myself, I know first hand of the life-long consequences of this man’s actions. I pray that justice would be served to the fullest extent of the law and that one day Larry would come face to face with his sin in order to fully repent and ask forgiveness.
I pray for healing and much grace and love of the Lord upon Larry”s daughter and the rest of his family.
Also, CLC needs to discuss the potential for abuse more than once in a blue moon. I think that church needs at least yearly, all-member (18 and over) training (from outside experts) to ensure everyone is providing safe environments for children and to be alert and ready to report to authorities any abuses to vulnerable populations.
The following email was sent to CLC members:
March 29, 2016
Dear church family,
I am sorry to bring sad and disturbing news. We learned Saturday that a 66-year-old male member of the church was arrested earlier this month and charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor. We are grateful that law enforcement is involved. We are not naming the accused at this time to protect the minor.
We’ve been learning all we can so that we can communicate with you fully and accurately in the days to come. We want to reassure you that our child protection measures are robust, and we continue to work hard to ensure Covenant Life remains a place of safety for children.
So far as we know nothing related to these charges occurred at the church. However, if you have any information we encourage you to contact Montgomery County Police at 301-279-8000.
Sincerely,
Mark Mitchell
The mandatory meeting was every September.
Below was sent to members:
March 29, 2016
Dear church family,
I am sorry to bring sad and disturbing news. We learned Saturday that a 66-year-old male member of the church was arrested earlier this month and charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor. We are grateful that law enforcement is involved. We are not naming the accused at this time to protect the minor.
We’ve been learning all we can so that we can communicate with you fully and accurately in the days to come. We want to reassure you that our child protection measures are robust, and we continue to work hard to ensure Covenant Life remains a place of safety for children.
So far as we know nothing related to these charges occurred at the church. However, if you have any information we encourage you to contact Montgomery County Police at 301-279-8000.
Sincerely,
Mark Mitchell
If they learned it on Saturday, did they learn it from Brent, or did they learn it from the same source as Brent?
Thursday, March 31, listen to the Kojo Nnamdi Show (WAMU 88.5 in DC area).
https://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2016-03-31/scandal-roils-a-suburban-church-behemoth
Guests include Pam Palmer, Mark Mitchell, and Tiffany Stanley.
Mark Mitchell makes two claims.
First, “We’ve been learning all we can so that we can communicate with you fully and accurately in the days to come.” The CLC pastors have made countless promises iike this one, only to break them. I have no confidence there will be a full accounting which includes the admittance of fault.
Second, Mitchell “reassures” the church that “our child protection measures are robust.” If their measures were robust, the pastors would never have allowed Caffery to serve in children’s ministry where he could potentially abuse or build relationships with children he could potentially exploit outside of children’s ministry.
Given the policies of CLC, Caffery could have been convicted of his crimes and the church would never be told. Just like with David Adams. Off to prison, but it is kept secret.
I am grateful that CLC told their members about the arrest.I understand that they want to protect the minor involved but shouldn’t they have mentioned that the individual worked in children’s ministry? Even if it appears that nothing happened at CLC ? Not sure how I feel about that.
The pastors did tell the church voluntarily. They were forced to say something once the story was out.
Sorry. The pastors did NOT tell the church voluntarily.
They would never have told CLC about the arrest otherwise.
I just read the updated version of “Another Covenant Life Church Member Arrested for Sexual Abuse” by Todd Wilhelm on Thou Art the Man. It is excellent.
https://thouarttheman.org/2016/03/28/another-covenant-life-church-member-arrested-sexual-abuse/
I might be wrong, but the fact that CLC had some sort of watchlist of several people who were not allowed to be near children strikes me as pretty odd. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good thing…but is it at all typical to have that many members known for problems relating to potential child abuse? Those of you who are part of other churches’ children’s ministries, have you ever encountered this?
I’ve volunteered in children’s ministry over the years, most recently at a large church, one large enough to probably be considered a megachurch. And I have to say, although the megachurch’s training was strict and the application process pretty arduous (I had to supply names of people both within and without the church who had known me for at least 5 years…and someone from the church’s children’s ministry actually did contact each of my references), we NEVER had a list of church regulars who were not allowed in the children’s area.
I’m not saying there weren’t people with problems who were lurking under the radar at this church (arguably more dangerous, of course). But it seems like CLC must have attracted more than its fair share of potential child abusers, to have reached a place where a list and such formal policies existed. (And again, to be clear, I’m NOT saying I don’t think this list is a good idea or that the precautions aren’t good…just that I’m pretty sure this kind of thing is rather unusual for a church to do.)
I’ll say it since the pastoral staff at CLC decided that promoting themselves was more important than saying what should have been said first and foremost.
Dear CLC Attenders,
The individual who was arrested and accused was a children’s ministry worker here at our church from 1996 until present. We beg you to talk to your children to find out whether your child/children were ever approached or harmed, in any way, by this man or anyone else in the church. In two nights we will be bringing in an expert on how to talk to your children about such things. If you have found that your child has been subject to anything inappropriate, we encourage you to contact the appropriate authorities. We will have a list of local therapist who are specialized in helping children walk through abuse issues.
In Christ’s Love,
the pastors of CLC
PS. Their self serving “We’ve been learning all we can so that we can communicate with you fully and accurately in the days to come. We want to reassure you that our child protection measures are robust, and we continue to work hard to ensure Covenant Life remains a place of safety for children.” is what I was referring to as their own promotion, rather than worrying about and communicating about any potential problems between this alleged molester and the children they have given him access to for 2 decades.
These “men” make me sick. WHEN will they change and start caring more for their sheep than their reputation?
PLEASE, parents of CLC, TALK TO YOUR KIDS TO SEE IF THEY HAVE EVER BEEN TOUCHED OR APPROACHED. PLEASE.
Stunned..excellent rewrite. When we heard of Morales and others mentioned, I spoke to our children immediately and asked them if anyone at CLC had ever approached them in an inappropriate way. And, I mentioned names while I was at it. Social workers name names so, why shouldn’t parents?
@Pam Palmer – I don’t know that I expressed what I was trying to say in the best way. I was thinking that, through these awful experiences, you found a new mission in life – probably one you never would have wanted. I can definitely understand why you would respond that way as a parent. Even though I have no children, I can just imagine how I might respond in that circumstance.
FormerCLCer: {{{Hugs}}}
Stunned: YESSSSSSSSSSSS excellent. thank you. the snakes at CLC should have sent this out.
36 Years, I think your question is one of the most important points. From my reading, it would appear that this man was in long term counseling with KM. Given the fact that he shared so openly in the book, I made the assumption that he was open with
KM, as well. (Sorry about my posting problems.)
Wait – there is a post I missed earlier (Jennifer Cahalane), and no one else has commented so I wonder if you all missed it to. Pam Palmer, Mark Mitchell and Tiffany Stanley will be on the Kojo Nnamdi show tomorrow at 12:30pm (WAMU 88.5) to talk about “Scandal Roils a Suburban Church Behemoth”. He has been covering local issues for years/decades on his show. WAMU is public radio, and hosts NPR news in the mornings and evenings.
Here’s the link again to the show’s description:
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2016-03-31/scandal-roils-a-suburban-church-behemoth?_ga=1.187986155.27513748.1421375845
Was this show planned before the recent arrest? Or is it because of the recent arrest? If it was planned before the arrest…what timing.
I think Kojo plans his shows early as possible so I think the new case must have blown-up in the interim..of course, it will likely be discussed since his show is live. Good for him!
Can the radio program linked above by ‘OutThere’ be heard in the Philadelphia area?
When going to the link, a church is pictured and it says below it “A Sovereign Grace Ministries Church Louisville, Ky”, but it is obviously a much larger church pictured.
I don’t believe that Caffery served in Children’s Ministry this year. I suspect he did previously..maybe many years ago?!?
Does anyone have any definitive idea of if/when he served in Children’s Ministry at CLC?
Why oh why do Sovereign Grace Church pastors and leaders continue to spurt the word ‘robust’ when addressing various conditions and ministries within their church? Seriously?
Definitely, clearly, certainly, CLC and CLC Children’s Ministry is NOT strong and healthy and full of vigor. Corruption maintains a foothold there. Why does it remain? I wonder….
Ex-CLCer, your testimony shatters CLC’s duplicity, religious posturing, and manipulative spinning. Thankyou for speaking out so articulately – your story, you lived it. Recording details and facts,your testimony is another stake in the ground representing the triumph of
truth. As we say in the west, ‘you’re welcome at my campfire any time!’
Persona wrote an insightful reveal of Sovereign Grace Churches operational procedures: “I am convinced they (CLC pastors) covered up the whole case to keep the church ‘untarnished’ by the examples of the child molestations, and ‘unsubmissiveness’ of Dave’s wife. The pastors measured all such cases in THEIR value to teach the church the ‘proper’ way to approach sin.”
Contrast this legalistic operational procedure with the beautiful life-giving example Stunned wrote of — a pastor who ‘loved God, loved people, and knew God loved people.’ This pastor heard the hearts cry of anguished abuse, and committed to seek out truth. The perpetrator was identified and brought to justice. Because the pastor genuinely loved people, he availed healing and restoration to those who had suffered at the hands of the perpetrator. He gave them a voice and the balm of being heard and believed.
Now recently, another sex-abuse report oozing from CLC. I could regurgitate. With projection. Upon reading the linked excerpts from Caffrey’s book and also the report that Caffrey was in counseling with CLC pastors for several years, it is astonishing his mental and spiritual imbalance was not at least a red flag to them. Nor was he withheld from helping in Children’s ministry (due to his fear he would sexually abuse a little girl). Quoting ‘Out There’:”…It’s a case of leaders who had some sense of the potential for danger;ignoring the signs/lacking discernment or judgement and putting children at risk with their non-action. Again.”
The evidence is in — CLC, operating in the Sovereign Grace Churches operational procedures shows a foothold of sexual perversion in the door. Again, why does this foothold remain?? Why does sexual perversion have a strong hold to an open door there?
Kris points out the oddity of CLC having some sort of watchlist of several people who were not allowed to be near children *observing that it seems like CLC must have attracted more than it’s fair share of potential child abusers to warrant a type of watchlist.* I believe this is an important point. Scripture explains to us that we are engaged in spiritual warfare (thus the spiritual armor to confront evil).Religious operational procedure cannot spiritually see or discern, or even respond in common sense…I continue to ask why there is a foothold of sexual perversion. Why, in a sense, is there ‘permission’ for this stronghold to be camouflaged as it continues? Layer by layer the root leaving the door ajar will be exposed. Light and truth are uncovering until the ‘why’ and ‘how’ is exposed.
Oswald – you should be able to listen to it online at WAMU.org (top center: “Listen Live”). If you can’t listen to it live, then go to WAMU.org, click on “programs,” and select “the Kojo Nnamdi show.” You will see the various archived shows available for listening (if it is not available immediately, it will be by at least the next day).
This latest tragic news will absolutely bring about a dramatic change to CLC, perhaps even close the doors, as many will leave, never to return. This will happen, I am sure, IF the allegation that the pastor(s) knew of Larry’s evil sexual desires and still allowed him to serve in children’s ministry.
I say IF because I have questions:
It sure seems as though Larry would have shared his evil temptations in counseling with Kenneth, but did he? Do we know that he did?
The pastor said he read Larry’s book and made a recommendation to leave out chapter 8. But was this because he read the sentences where he expresses his fear of sexually abusing his daughter, should he ever have one? Or some other reason? Did the pastor read the whole book? Did he skim through it? Did he miss those sentences?
Who provided the details of this tragic event to Brent in regards to the pastoral/children’s ministry “backstory” ?
These questions will be presented to the leadership of CLC and truthful, detailed answers must be given without reservation.
(Also, Brent commented that Larry’s picture was removed from the CLC directory to add to the cover-up. I say, if these allegations towards the pastors are true, than what else can they cover up? We all know Larry has been a member of CLC for years, picture or no picture. I think, at this point, that the picture was removed to protect the identity of the victim.)
There is plenty of time between now and Sunday morning to address this entire topic in full detail, using appropriate language, and sharing the whole truth of child sexual abuse as it relates to CLC. The time has come. We must NOT start a new teaching series until this entire topic is addressed. We must not wait for questions – it is no mystery what the questions are, and they need to be answered in detail, truthfully, and without consulting any lawyers. The whole truth.
I am continuing to pray for God’s will to be done here at CLC. This is a defining moment in the church’s history. May God be glorified as we move forward.
Waters, great to “see you”! I was just thinking of you this week and wondering how you and your family are. If you’re able, please, let us know.
Here is the live link to the show:
Listeners can call in with questions.
http://wamu.org/?_ga=1.197449263.1438283607.1459187134
THE KOJO NNAMDI SHOW
12 P.M. – 1 P.M. (ET), MONDAY – FRIDAY
1-800-433-8850 • kojo@wamu.org
In an update to his most recent post, Todd Wilhelm provides an excellent response to the CLC Pastor’s claim that not releasing the perpetrators name is in the best interest of his alleged and potential victims:
“The idea that Covenant Life Church is not releasing the perpetrator’s name because they want to protect the victim’s privacy is an appalling lie. The alleged perpetrator’s arrest is a matter of public record on the MD court case website. How are church members supposed to know if their kids have been associating with an unnamed pedophile? How are CLC members realistically expected to report any information on an unnamed pedophile to the Montgomery County Police?
Covenant Life Church is a mess. They cannot even get a simple letter notifying members of a dangerous pedophile in their church right. I think it is most likely that they knew on the 16th when Caffery was arrested; but even if they didn’t find out till Saturday, why did it take 4 days to send out a statement that essentially said nothing? And we are to believe they have “robust child protection” policies?”
https://thouarttheman.org/2016/03/28/another-covenant-life-church-member-arrested-sexual-abuse
IF the CLC Pastors truly care about protecting children, they should immediately shut-down all their programs aimed at individuals under 18 until they know more about this most recent arrest for pedophilia affecting their Church.
That is what any other responsible organization would do.
End of story.
That’s right, I forgot, The Kojo Nnamdi Show is a call-in show! Hopefully Brent is aware and can call in…
You can also send emails. Below is contact info:
1-800-433-8850 • kojo@wamu.org
Or you can go to their contact page and send an email from that page:
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/contact
I just sent in this question to the talk show host:
My name is Brent Detwiler. I helped started SGM in 1982 and served on the Board of Directors
for 25 years. I left in 2009 as a matter of conscience having been unsuccessful in bringing about ethical reforms centered around C.M. Mahaney who was the President and Chairman. For over tens years, I addressed destructive patterns in his life. In July 2011, I went public with those concerns in what are called “The Documents.” Since then I have continued to address the corruption that has come to characterize this evangelical ministry.
Here is my question for Mark Mitchell who was once a friend and colleague.
In August 2007, Nathaniel Morales told executive pastor Grant Layman (Mahaney’s brother in law) that he had sexually abused two boys in Covenant Life Church. Layman talked to fellow pastors Joshua Harris, Corby Megorden, Robin Boisvert, and Kenneth Maresco about this abuse. Layman also talked to them about his knowledge of Morales sexually abusing boys in another denominational, The New Testament Church, before coming to Covenant Life Church and for which he was excommunicated. In August 2007, these five men were asked by Scott Bates (father of two victims) and his daughter, Rachael Paci-Bates to make sure Morales’ criminal behavior was not continuing. This is all part of the sworn testimony in the two trials of Morales in May 2014 and for which he was sentenced to 40 years. These five pastors, Layman, Harris, Megorden, Boisvert and Maresco knew that Morales was a long time serial predator with multiple victims going back to 1980 and yet they conspired not to report him to law enforcement for fear of a lawsuit according to independent investigator, Lars Liebeler. No clergy exemption for not reporting applied under these circumstances. They were required to report but agreed not to report. Your guest, Mark Mitchell, has categorically denied any such conspiracy. Please ask him to justify the cover up these crimes by the five leading pastors in Covenant Life Church given these facts. By the way, Morales went on to abuse boys for the next 20 years including two steps sons until he was arrested in 2011 because the pastors never reported him.
And I read Judith’s emails too early in the morning – she provided those details, as well.
I sent in this clarification to Kojo.
I need to clarify my last sentence. Pastors Grant Layman and Chris Glass were told about Morales’ abuse of boys by Rachael Bates Paci in June 1991 according to her sworn testimony in the first Morales trial. She was 17 and asked them to stop it. No clergy exemption applied. They did not report. As a result, Morales went on to abuse from 1991-2011. Twenty years.
I wonder if the ‘retirement’ of Chris Glass and the year-long shut-down of the CLC high school ministry at the time, was a result of the Morales case, which the Pastors kept hidden from the congregation? If so, then that would be evidence of at least one case of cover-up.
Also, as I listened once again to Terry Mayo on Kojo’s show, it appears to me that she is speaking-up primarily clear her husband’s name, not so much to really fight the changes in the law. I am thinking she should try to do so by other means so she doesn’t add to the grief of those who have been abused at a tender age. Her husband is an adult and therefore in a better position to tolerate insult. And, perhaps he should be speaking-up for himself in a better forum for such things?
Persona,
Do you remember what year the high school ministry was shut down?
Thanks
Brent
Listening to the interview I noted that the pastor who spoke seemed (to me) to express only sadness via his voice when it came to those he said were falsely accused but I heard no such emotion in his voice when he spoke of the proven victims of the abuse. Please, relisten to it and see if I am not the only one who picked up on this. Words can say one thing, but voice can say another.
Brent: 1998-99?
Thanks
Persona, thanks for mentioning about Dave is an adult and should stand his own. I just don’t understand why none of the accused will defend themselves, I do hear them saying how much trauma they are going through. Do they know there is a court system that could help them if they are innocent? It just seems like they are guilty and CLC’s lawyers won’t let them speak. This has been bothering me a long time. any input would help. If somebody accused me and I knew I was innocent, believe me I would get all the legal help I could to fight back.
Stunned, Mark seemed more ‘concerned’ with things that happened to the church than things that happened to the youth in his church to me. I found it very convenient that he made mention that he planned to write another letter to the congregation ‘as soon as he got back to his desk.’ Well, he seems swift when he wants to defend and cover-up his church policies but, he and the other pastors seem to drag their heels when it comes to protecting vulnerable youth in their church. When are they going to admit they have failed at making ‘robust’ measures to ensure their church is safe to attend? Kojo would never have invited him on the show if that was abundantly evident.
I, also, found it interesting that a few times it was mentioned (by a woman caller, I don’t recall if by MM), that the church “hired an independent investigator.” Please, I beg people to understand that words actually have meaning! If they are being paid, they are no longer independent! They have, quite literally, become dependent on the church for a paycheck the second they are hired. There is NO SUCH THING AS AN INTERESTED PARTY HIRING ANYONE AND THAT ANYONE BEING INDEPENDENT! This is completely illogical.
PS. From my understanding, this “investigation” which was referenced a few times did NOT include speaking to the very victim whom was referenced. Not a great investigation if that’s the case.