Couple allegedly finds priest receiving sexual act from reg. sex offender in Ohio park
A 75-year-old Monsignor Anthony Spinosa, the rector of the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, was taken into custody last Thursday after he was allegedly caught engaging in sexual activity with a registered sex offender in Perkins Park in Warren, Ohio.
A couple who had been walking their dog in Perkins Park went to law enforcement on July 31 after they allegedly noticed 54-year-old Kenneth Kopp down on his knees as he was performing a sex act on Spinosa. The couple reportedly noted that Spinosa was smoking a cigar at the time.
When speaking with police, the couple claimed one of the suspects invited them to join them and said the couple could watch them if they provided payment. A police report reviewed by WFMJ reportedly states that the alleged incident occurred "in broad daylight" and approximately 100 yards from a playground where children were present.
Police said they found Monsignor Spinosa smoking a cigar in a black SUV in the park, and he reportedly told officers that he didn't know Kopp and wasn't with him at any point, although one of the witnesses remained adamant that they had seen Kopp performing a sex act with Spinosa.
Spinosa was taken to the Trumbull County Jail and was later released after posting a $2,000 bond. He was ordered to stay away from Perkins Park, according to the report.
Spinosa is expected to appear in court on September 14, and his attorney, Jeffery Goodman, asked that prosecutors provide all evidence, including any video that may be available, per the outlet.
https://local12.com/news/nation-world/mo...ull-county
Tennessee pastor, wife found guilty of sexually abusing a 5-year-old, other victims
A Rutherford County jury has found a traveling pastor and his wife guilty of child sex crimes after a two-week trial.
Benjamin Garlick, 35, was convicted on seven counts of aggravated rape of a child, six counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of violating the Child Protection Act. The jury also found Shaantal Garlick, 32, guilty of two counts of facilitating aggravated rape of a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect.
Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell sentenced Benjamin Garlick to life in prison without parole for the aggravated rape charges. He will find out his punishment on the other charges Nov. 10, which is also the day Shaantal Garlick will be sentenced.
Police first launched the investigation into Benjamin Garlick’s actions on Aug. 15, 2023, after allegations of sexual abuse against a 5-year-old that happened over several years. The investigation revealed two more victims were abused.
Police also found that Shaantal Garlick knowingly neglected the child, harming the child’s health and well-being, while assisting in the commission of the sexual abuse.
https://mynbc15.com/news/nation-world/te...er-victims
Youth pastor charged under new KY grooming law following allegations of inappropriate behavior with teen
Citing Cadiz Police Department Chief Tyler Thomas, WKDZ reports that Jeremiah Swaw, 38, of Cadiz, was arrested Monday following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior with a 16-year-old girl.
After police questioned Swaw, he was charged with grooming. The charge was established during the legislative session and went into effect on July 1 after being signed by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
According to the law, grooming is defined as “means a course of conduct directed at a minor that is intended to establish an emotional connection with a minor through manipulation, trust-building, or influence to facilitate future acts of sexual conduct or normalize or desensitize the minor to acts of sexual conduct.”
Swaw was employed as a Next Generation pastor at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Hopkinsville, according to a statement from the church. The victim was a member of the church, WKDZ reported.
https://www.wbko.com/2026/08/20/youth-pa...with-teen/
A 75-year-old Monsignor Anthony Spinosa, the rector of the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, was taken into custody last Thursday after he was allegedly caught engaging in sexual activity with a registered sex offender in Perkins Park in Warren, Ohio.
A couple who had been walking their dog in Perkins Park went to law enforcement on July 31 after they allegedly noticed 54-year-old Kenneth Kopp down on his knees as he was performing a sex act on Spinosa. The couple reportedly noted that Spinosa was smoking a cigar at the time.
When speaking with police, the couple claimed one of the suspects invited them to join them and said the couple could watch them if they provided payment. A police report reviewed by WFMJ reportedly states that the alleged incident occurred "in broad daylight" and approximately 100 yards from a playground where children were present.
Police said they found Monsignor Spinosa smoking a cigar in a black SUV in the park, and he reportedly told officers that he didn't know Kopp and wasn't with him at any point, although one of the witnesses remained adamant that they had seen Kopp performing a sex act with Spinosa.
Spinosa was taken to the Trumbull County Jail and was later released after posting a $2,000 bond. He was ordered to stay away from Perkins Park, according to the report.
Spinosa is expected to appear in court on September 14, and his attorney, Jeffery Goodman, asked that prosecutors provide all evidence, including any video that may be available, per the outlet.
https://local12.com/news/nation-world/mo...ull-county
Tennessee pastor, wife found guilty of sexually abusing a 5-year-old, other victims
A Rutherford County jury has found a traveling pastor and his wife guilty of child sex crimes after a two-week trial.
Benjamin Garlick, 35, was convicted on seven counts of aggravated rape of a child, six counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of violating the Child Protection Act. The jury also found Shaantal Garlick, 32, guilty of two counts of facilitating aggravated rape of a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect.
Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell sentenced Benjamin Garlick to life in prison without parole for the aggravated rape charges. He will find out his punishment on the other charges Nov. 10, which is also the day Shaantal Garlick will be sentenced.
Police first launched the investigation into Benjamin Garlick’s actions on Aug. 15, 2023, after allegations of sexual abuse against a 5-year-old that happened over several years. The investigation revealed two more victims were abused.
Police also found that Shaantal Garlick knowingly neglected the child, harming the child’s health and well-being, while assisting in the commission of the sexual abuse.
https://mynbc15.com/news/nation-world/te...er-victims
Youth pastor charged under new KY grooming law following allegations of inappropriate behavior with teen
Citing Cadiz Police Department Chief Tyler Thomas, WKDZ reports that Jeremiah Swaw, 38, of Cadiz, was arrested Monday following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior with a 16-year-old girl.
After police questioned Swaw, he was charged with grooming. The charge was established during the legislative session and went into effect on July 1 after being signed by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
According to the law, grooming is defined as “means a course of conduct directed at a minor that is intended to establish an emotional connection with a minor through manipulation, trust-building, or influence to facilitate future acts of sexual conduct or normalize or desensitize the minor to acts of sexual conduct.”
Swaw was employed as a Next Generation pastor at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Hopkinsville, according to a statement from the church. The victim was a member of the church, WKDZ reported.
https://www.wbko.com/2026/08/20/youth-pa...with-teen/
teachings of the Bible are so muddled and self-contradictory that it was possible for Christians to happily burn heretics alive for five long centuries. It was even possible for the most venerated patriarchs of the Church, like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, to conclude that heretics should be tortured (Augustine) or killed outright (Aquinas). Martin Luther and John Calvin advocated the wholesale murder of heretics, apostates, Jews, and witches. - Sam Harris, "Letter To A Christian Nation"
