Arrest of Garrett Preacher

[whatthe]

I cant seem to figure out why there hasnt been anything in the paper about this except what was in the police blotter. This has been on the news channels but not in the local paper. People need to know about this expecially with him not being in jail at this time.

[michael medeski]

I cant seem to figure out why there hasnt been anything in the paper about this except what was in the police blotter. This has been on the news channels but not in the local paper. People need to know about this expecially with him not being in jail at this time.

i wonder what on earth a preacher, man of the lord, could have been arrested for?:hmmmm: i hope it's not what i think it is.

[james_t]

I cant seem to figure out why there hasnt been anything in the paper about this except what was in the police blotter. This has been on the news channels but not in the local paper. People need to know about this expecially with him not being in jail at this time.

It was in Saturday's Star, and in today's Clipper. They didn't mention it with the police blotter item because at the time they couldn't confirm he had been a pastor; they found that out Friday:

http://www.dekalbstar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=513:Accused-molester-is-former-pastor&catid=51:latest&Itemid=53


i wonder what on earth a preacher, man of the lord, could have been arrested for?:hmmmm: i hope it's not what i think it is.

Unfortunately, it probably was.

[michael medeski]

Unfortunately, it probably was.

jesus christ! what is it with them. punishment for a so called "man of the lord" should be ten fold. i say castration and then take their eyes out would be fitting. very sad. it gives a bad name to preachers and the like. when you hear of one being arrested, 99% of the time it is for that.

[HoosierHelen]

Michael,

I understand your anger towards anyone who commits this type of crime. When my children were young, I always said if something like that happened to them, I'm afraid they would be trying me for murder next. Thankfully, I wasn't put to that test.

That being said, if this fellow is found guilty and sentenced to any prison time, I sincerely believe he will be praying more than he ever has prayed in his life. So we probably don't need to do any surgery on him or poke his eyes out first. :)

I agree it is horrible for someone who is suppose to be teaching lessons of love, God and Jesus to children to commit such a crime. I hope any children involved are offered counseling and support.

[evilkumquat]

But... but...

I thought only atheists performed such awful deeds since only those who believe in god have any morals?

Yeah, I admit to a bit of schadenfreude on this. I mean, if the accusations are true, what a horrible crime for the victim of course... but I can't help but roll my eyes whenever a pastor, priest, preacher, reverend, etc., is accused or convicted of these things and yet so many churchgoers still claim a "holier than thou" attitude toward non-believers.

[blue adept]

jesus christ! what is it with them. punishment for a so called "man of the lord" should be ten fold. i say castration and then take their eyes out would be fitting. very sad. it gives a bad name to preachers and the like. when you hear of one being arrested, 99% of the time it is for that.

All I can say is, Typical. These jobs attract the wrong sort of person.

[ebbieday]

All I can say is, Typical. These jobs attract the wrong sort of person.

In these situations, I've always wondered, is this a man in the profession who took a wrong turn on the moral path...or is this a man with no morals who used the profession to get to his intended targets?

[evilkumquat]

In these situations, I've always wondered, is this a man in the profession who took a wrong turn on the moral path...or is this a man with no morals who used the profession to get to his intended targets?

That's very akin to my belief that Lincoln was off by a hair when he said "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

What he should have said was "Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible."

So yeah, I imagine the perverts are attracted to professions that fit their tastes: pedophiles to priesthood, foot fetishists to shoe sales positions, Alabamans to raising farm animals.

[james_t]

In these situations, I've always wondered, is this a man in the profession who took a wrong turn on the moral path...or is this a man with no morals who used the profession to get to his intended targets?

Could be either. Sometimes clergy just fall prey to temptations; sometimes there were things that from the beginning should have kept them out of the profession.

I have known some very good pastors who do their best to serve God and others, and I think there are a good number of them out there. Unfortunately, they don't make the headlines as much as the other kind.

[armyda]

From some of the News reports I've heard, this isn't related to his work activities. It is a bit closer to home.

[momof5]

From some of the News reports I've heard, this isn't related to his work activities. It is a bit closer to home.

I guess I don't understand the difference between his "work activities" and the fact that it is "closer to home". A person in the leadership role that he had is NEVER off the job.

[Graygleam]

I think we might consider all the Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, etc. whose names are not in the paper, because they are not doing anything wrong, just good. We won't hear much about them.

[james_t]

I think we might consider all the Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, etc. whose names are not in the paper, because they are not doing anything wrong, just good. We won't hear much about them.

According to the Bible if they're doing good you're not supposed to hear anything about it.

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:3-4)

[slotz10]

He will go to prison and if he is lucky the worse thing that will happen to him is slipping on the soap.
But, i am sure he won't even make it to the shower. The other inmates will make him pay for his gross sin.:y:

[TheBigB]

He will go to prison and if he is lucky the worse thing that will happen to him is slipping on the soap.
But, i am sure he won't even make it to the shower. The other inmates will make him pay for his gross sin.:y:

Why do you think he'll be in with the general prison population?

[JohnBoy44]

Why do you think he'll be in with the general prison population?

any presumption of innocence here?

[grey146]

convicted already by Medeski

[HoosierHelen]

convicted already by Medeski

I don't believe expressing outrage for a crime constitutes a conviction. He is correct it is one of the worst type crimes imaginable!

[JohnBoy44]

I don't believe expressing outrage for a crime constitutes a conviction. He is correct it is one of the worst type crimes imaginable!

So were the Mcmartin day care crimes that didn't happen.

[HoosierHelen]

So were the Mcmartin day care crimes that didn't happen.

Rape and Child Molestings go under reported just because of such attitudes JohnBoy. The VICTIMS are frequently considered guilty until there is a conviction. (and sometimes even after) In order to get a conviction against the perp, they undergo further humiliation and invasion of their privacy.

Let's let the courts do their thing and decide the case.

[michael medeski]

convicted already by Medeski

please show me where i said he was guilty. you are taking this a little personal. you wouldn't by chance be the preacher in question or releated to the guy. i was just showing my hatred to people that do things like that.

[michael medeski]

did everyone think this guy was innocent until he went to court?


In 1982, Jeffery Dahmer moved in with his grandmother in West Allis, Wisconsin,[13] where he lived for six years.[14] During this time, his behavior grew increasingly strange. Once his grandmother found a fully dressed male mannequin in his closet; Dahmer had stolen it from a store.[15] On another occasion, she found a .357 Magnum under his bed.[16] Terrible smells came from the basement; Dahmer told his father that he had brought home a dead squirrel and dissolved it with chemicals.[17] He was arrested twice for indecent exposure, in 1982 and 1986;[18] in his second offense, he masturbated in front of two boys.[19]

In summer 1988, Dahmer's grandmother asked him to move out because of his late nights, his strange behavior, and the foul smells from the basement. He then found an apartment on Milwaukee's West side, closer to his job at the Ambrosia Chocolate Factory.[20] On September 26, 1988, one day after moving into his apartment, he was arrested for drugging and sexually fondling a 13-year-old boy in Milwaukee named Somsack Sinthasomphone.[21] He was sentenced to five years probation and one year in a work release camp. He was required to register as a sex offender.[22] Dahmer was paroled from the work release camp two months early, and he soon moved into a new apartment.[23] Shortly thereafter, he began a string of murders that would end with his arrest in 1991.


like i said, if they would have castrated him and took his eyes after his arrest in 1988 he would not of had a chance to kill, molest and eat those other people. in the end he got what he deserved in prison. although most of this could have been avoided in the first place if there were stricter laws for people that molest kids. i don't think letting them out and having them register as a sex offender it enough. will that really stop someone from doing it again?

[evilkumquat]

i don't think letting them out and having them register as a sex offender it enough. will that really stop someone from doing it again?

Actually, the recidivism rate for sexual offenders is relatively low compared to other crimes, while cases like Dahmer are quite rare.

From http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/060516_predator_panic.html

Much of the concern over sex offenders stems from the perception that if they have committed one sex offense, they are almost certain to commit more. This is the reason given for why sex offenders (instead of, say, murderers or armed robbers) should be monitored and separated from the public once released from prison.

The high recidivism rate among sex offenders is repeated so often that it is usually accepted as truth, but in fact recent studies show that the recidivism rates for sex offenses is not unusually high. According to a U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics study ("Recidivism of Sex Offenders Released from Prison in 1994"), just five percent of sex offenders followed for three years after their release from prison in 1994 were arrested for another sex crime. A study released in 2003 by the Bureau found that within three years, 3.3 percent of the released child molesters were arrested again for committing another sex crime against a child. Three to five percent is hardly a high repeat offender rate.

In the largest and most comprehensive study ever done of prison recidivism, the Justice Department found that sex offenders were in fact less likely to reoffend than other criminals. The 2003 study of nearly 10,000 men convicted of rape, sexual assault, and child molestation found that sex offenders had a re-arrest rate 25 percent lower than for all other criminals. Part of the reason is that serial sex offenders—those who pose the greatest threat—rarely get released from prison, and the ones who do are unlikely to re-offend.

[HoosierHelen]

Actually, the recidivism rate for sexual offenders is relatively low compared to other crimes, while cases like Dahmer are quite rare.

From http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/060516_predator_panic.html


In the largest and most comprehensive study ever done of prison recidivism, the Justice Department found that sex offenders were in fact less likely to reoffend than other criminals. The 2003 study of nearly 10,000 men convicted of rape, sexual assault, and child molestation found that sex offenders had a re-arrest rate 25 percent lower than for all other criminals. Part of the reason is that serial sex offenders—those who pose the greatest threat—rarely get released from prison, and the ones who do are unlikely to re-offend.

Some interesting numbers there Evil that I was not aware of. My impression has been that repeat offenders were higher than this study. Perhaps the answer is best summed up in that last paragraph. 'Those who pose the greatest threat - rarely get released from prison.'

It appears to me that those left free without penalty for their actions do have a high repeat offence rate. I was just watching a story on MSNBC a little bit ago where the Catholic church in Ireland had hidden sexual offences against children being raised at that church for generations. Their victims are all old men and women now. They certainly suffered repeatedly in the hands of their molesters.

[michael medeski]

Actually, the recidivism rate for sexual offenders is relatively low compared to other crimes, while cases like Dahmer are quite rare.

From http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/060516_predator_panic.html

Much of the concern over sex offenders stems from the perception that if they have committed one sex offense, they are almost certain to commit more. This is the reason given for why sex offenders (instead of, say, murderers or armed robbers) should be monitored and separated from the public once released from prison.

The high recidivism rate among sex offenders is repeated so often that it is usually accepted as truth, but in fact recent studies show that the recidivism rates for sex offenses is not unusually high. According to a U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics study ("Recidivism of Sex Offenders Released from Prison in 1994"), just five percent of sex offenders followed for three years after their release from prison in 1994 were arrested for another sex crime. A study released in 2003 by the Bureau found that within three years, 3.3 percent of the released child molesters were arrested again for committing another sex crime against a child. Three to five percent is hardly a high repeat offender rate.

In the largest and most comprehensive study ever done of prison recidivism, the Justice Department found that sex offenders were in fact less likely to reoffend than other criminals. The 2003 study of nearly 10,000 men convicted of rape, sexual assault, and child molestation found that sex offenders had a re-arrest rate 25 percent lower than for all other criminals. Part of the reason is that serial sex offenders—those who pose the greatest threat—rarely get released from prison, and the ones who do are unlikely to re-offend.

i still would not want my kid to hang out with one regardless of how reformed he is. i think people that molest kids are just as messed up as people commit murder. there is something mentally wrong with them. i don't think a little prison time is going to change that.

[JohnBoy44]

On another occasion, she found a .357 Magnum under his bed.[16] ?

clearly a mouse gun, an inferior weapon. I prefer a desert eagle or a mossberg 500 "roadblocker". I see your point.

[evilkumquat]

It appears to me that those left free without penalty for their actions do have a high repeat offence rate. I was just watching a story on MSNBC a little bit ago where the Catholic church in Ireland had hidden sexual offences against children being raised at that church for generations. Their victims are all old men and women now. They certainly suffered repeatedly in the hands of their molesters.

Those offenders were never caught.

Being nailed makes all the difference in the world.

The Catholic church has a history of covering up their crimes.

[HoosierHelen]

Those offenders were never caught.

Being nailed makes all the difference in the world.

The Catholic church has a history of covering up their crimes.

Yes, that was the conclusion I came to after reading your posting. I would have never imagined there was such a small # of repeat offenses by these offenders who have been caught.

I'm sure my impression had been shaped by the extensive tracking and monitoring system that is in place for sex offenders as opposed to other criminals. Interesting.

[evilkumquat]

Yes, that was the conclusion I came to after reading your posting. I would have never imagined there was such a small # of repeat offenses by these offenders who have been caught.

I'm sure my impression had been shaped by the extensive tracking and monitoring system that is in place for sex offenders as opposed to other criminals. Interesting.

Don't forget that sex offenders are another great distraction for certain governmental officials.

Remember, no one likes rapists or child molesters, so these politicians can waste some time drafting more and more laws to punish these people instead of doing any real work. At the end of the day, they can brag "See what I did!" while continuing to ignore REAL problems facing the rest of us like health care, employment, infrastructure, etc.

Certain political parties that seize on such things like gay marriage, flag burning, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Ten Commandments, etc. are experts at it.

[mrs.bass46703]

i still would not want my kid to hang out with one regardless of how reformed he is. i think people that molest kids are just as messed up as people commit murder. there is something mentally wrong with them. i don't think a little prison time is going to change that.

I'm mentally ill and also a mom but that does not mean i'm capable of commiting murder or raping a kid sometimes mental illness has nothing to do with it. Sometimes these sickos just can't find a parnter so they get a kid they can control.

[michael medeski]

I'm mentally ill and also a mom but that does not mean i'm capable of commiting murder or raping a kid sometimes mental illness has nothing to do with it. Sometimes these sickos just can't find a parnter so they get a kid they can control.

remember mrs. bass there are different kinds of mental illness. i'm not comparing them to you.

[mrs.bass46703]

remember mrs. bass there are different kinds of mental illness. i'm not comparing them to you.

omg i hope not

[HoosierHelen]

Those offenders were never caught.

Being nailed makes all the difference in the world.

The Catholic church has a history of covering up their crimes.

And more charges involving an area church musical instructor and multiple incidents of child molesting (in this case involving the same child). When will we see an end to this?

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090521/LOCAL07/305219984/1002/LOCAL

[LuciusBeebe]

And more charges involving an area church musical instructor and multiple incidents of child molesting (in this case involving the same child). When will we see an end to this?

When people stop trusting strangers because they're involved with a church.