RETIRED PASTOR ARRESTED FOR MOLESTATION
By WBNG News
Story Created: Feb 5, 2010 at 5:26 PM EST
Story Updated: Feb 5, 2010 at 6:43 PM EST
Gibson. PA (WBNG Binghamton) A retired pastor is accused of molesting a boy nearly 20 years ago in Susquehanna County.
Pennsylvania State Police charged 82 year old, Ralph Elwood Johnson of Gibson with having sex with a minor.
Johnson lives on Church Street in Gibson.
The victim says he was a teenager when Johnson forced sexual relations with him at his home from 1992 to 1995.
One of Johnson's neighbors says he's shocked to hear the allegation.
"I'm really surprised. I really am. This is the first time I've ever heard anything. Like I said, he's been a pretty decent neighbor," said Rudy Testa.
Johnson was formerly a pastor at St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Afton.
He is charged with 15 counts each of Involuntary Deviate Sexual intercourse, Indecent Assault, and Corruption of a Minor.
He was arraigned in Susquehanna County with bail set at $50,000.
A hearing is set for February 16th.
2 comments:
Please remember that one accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty. I have known Fr. Ralph Johnson as a good and God-fearing man for many years, and I know what a blessing he has been in my life and the lives of many others. By their fruit ye shall know them; Fr. Johnson produced a bumper crop in his lifetime. I pray God be with him in this difficult time.
Thus far three men have come forward saying they were molested by Johnson. Believe what you want, but it does appear that evidence is mounting that he was a pedophile. He wasn't deposed because he was a good and God-fearing man. He was deposed because the bishop of the DCNY had credible reasons to believe the allegations against Johnson.
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