Another man has stepped forwarding claiming he was sexually assaulted at the age of 14 by 82-year-old Ralph Johnson, a former Episcopal priest. The victim, who also suffers from a mental condition, is now 23.
Johnson, who has yet to be arraigned, is facing is several new charges, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption of minors.
This is not the first time Johnson has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with a minor. Earlier this month he was charged with 45 counts of sex-related crimes, all of which stemmed from unlawful sexual interaction with a boy from 1992 to 1995. During this time Johnson served at the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York and was the rector at St. Anna's in Afton, New York. The victim in this case was between the ages of 11 and 15 when the abuse occurred.
Johnson is scheduled to be arraigned for the first set of charges on March 9. An arraignment has not yet been schedule for the second set of charges.
While ordained, Johnson reportedly served in parishes in Buckingham, part of the Pennsylvania diocese, and the Central New York Diocese churches of St. Anna's in Afton, Zion Church in Windsor, and St. Paul's in Owego.
But according to Bill Lewellis, communication minister of the Episcopal Church's Diocese of Bethlehem, Johnson was never authorized to serve as a priest in any of the 14-county northeastern diocese.
Regardless, what is certain is that if Johnson is found guilty of the charges he will be sentenced to a number of harsh penalties, including imprisonment, restitution to the victims, fines, probation, and registration as a sex offender.
The Zalkin Law Firm is committed to helping victims of priest abuse take legal action for the injustice that has been committed against them. Sexual abuse of any kind is a highly traumatic experience, and any person, whether a child or an adult, whose been sexually abused by a clergy member has the right to be compensated for their pain and suffering. If you or your child has been abused by a priest, contact the Zalkin Law Firm today to speak with an experienced clergy abuse attorney about your legal options.
