A Catholic Priest in Margaretville is facing 20 charges of sexual abuse, reports The Oneonta Daily Star. The priest, a Rev. James McDevitt is pastor of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and has pleaded not guilty. It is alleged that McDevitt committed sexual abuse on six males between the ages of 11 and 19. The alleged abuse included putting the boys across his lap and having them pull down their pants so he could spank them. These incidents allegedly took place between October and April, but with two of the victims it started three years ago.
The police investigated for a month before the arrest of McDevitt on July 9th. In a separate charge, in June McDevitt had been arrested for driving while intoxicated after a traffic accident. The investigation on Rev. McDevitt is continuing.
Clergy abuse is a horrific crime. Religious families entrust their children to their leaders, and sexual abuse is so unexpected that the emotional devastation can be overwhelming. If you or a loved one has been a victim of clergy abuse, you can get legal assistance from the clergy abuse attorney team at the Zalkin Law Firm. The attorneys understand the pain and outrage in such cases and can assist in fighting for compensation and justice for you or your loved one.
