More Disappointing News

[minister159]

This is from the NBC channel 4 local news website, Southern California.

 

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Church-Usher-Charged-With-Sexual-Abuse-of-Boy-Parishioners-217825121.html

 

{{ Added article source. Always post a link to your source in the News forum - Bob }}

 

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An usher at a Jehovah's Witnesses congregation in Sun Valley was charged Wednesday with sexually abusing four boys he met at the church.

 

Marcelo Lozano, 34, is expected to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon at Van Nuys Superior Court with nine felony counts, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Lozano, who was an usher for the church’s Spanish congregation, allegedly abused boys who ranges from 8 to 15 years old between 2006 and 2013.

 

He is charged with two counts each of aggravated sexual assault of a child, continuous sexual abuse and oral copulation of a person under 14. And he faces one count each of forcible lewd act upon a child, lewd act upon a child and sodomy of a person under 14 with 10 years difference.

 

Prosecutors will recommend that the defendant’s bail be set at $1.8 million, the DA’s office said.

 

Lozano faces a maximum term of life in state prison if convicted on all charges.

 

The Los Angeles Police Department is still investigating the case, the DA’s office said.

 

We know what he was thinking, and it's a sad situation for all of us.

Edited August 5, 2013 by Dismal_Bliss
Added missing link

[Blueyedchanel]

Those poor boys, they will be messed up for years.

[Jobritorie]

Not a happy situation.  I pray for the boys, their family, and the congregation.

[1gemstone]

We can't be too trusting.......(I hate saying this...because I hate when people said....we are imperfect, this is true) even on the inside. This young man may have been abused him self as a young child. We never know what demons some of us may battling constantly. We can only pray for that helper, Holy Spirit until Jehovah steps in and bring this system to it finish., I just can't imagine what those young people were  going through when this was going on; but I'm glad someone ask Jehovah for the courage to tell and get this this person out of the congregation and off the streets.. 

[Margaret]

I just wish parents would go to the police even before they tell the elders

[feather]

brother Ken 

  do you happen to have the link to the source of this story ~ I am unable to locate it

 

   thank you 

[Joey]

Here's one link.

This links shows how our brothers handled matters....

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_23771876

[Article quote]

Perez said the investigation is ongoing and they are looking for other possible victims that Lozano could have associated with over the years. Elders of the church came forward with information that led to Lozano's arrest, he said.

"We want to make sure there are no other victims out there," Perez said. "Anyone we could help or anyone that's hurting, we want to help them."

Edited August 1, 2013 by Peace

[GrumpysWife]

Sad to say these things do happen, even in our Organization. However the brothers take the information they get immediately to the authorities. Our children are precious to us and we need to protect them, the brothers are doing their best to do just that.

[Bluebell]

It seems that Satan is steering this up in the wake of the feelings against the catholic church with their records of abuse

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses%27_handling_of_child_sex_abuse

[GrumpysWife]

Yup, he is stirring the pot. Anything he can do to try to discourage us. But we're encouraged by the way our brothers handle these awful things. 

 

"Details of the Society's child abuse policies have been published in Jehovah's Witnesses' publications, although more specific guidelines are only made available to elders, or on request. Press releases issued by the Watch Tower Society's Office of Public Information confirm that if a person accused of molestation repeatedly denies the charges of his victim, and there is no other witness to the incident, "the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time", however would report to authorities if required" quoted from Wikipedia.

[pinkpopcorn]

I am happy that the organization is handling this by means of Caesar's law.

 

Yes, it is most likely that this man was himself abused.  But the moment he turned this onto another person he made himself a criminal. Unlike the Catholic or other churches, we now take steps to remove the wicked man from among us. This was not always the case because of being hampered by the 'two witness policy' which is absolutely scriptural.. But, Jesus has come to the rescue.  Now the victims of crimes can go to Caesar and to the spiritual elders without feeling that nobody will take action.

 

The Catholic church holds serious culpability for just moving guilty ones around which allowed the wicked one not be caught. Within that organization they give 'sanctuary' to criminals. I recall an article we had years ago that brought out how God does not harbor criminals behind closed doors.

 

Any elders here may wish to comment on this very touchy situation. It certainly is heinous. It just threw me right back to the darling young sister who was assaulted and murdered out West. Our hearts hurt so much for those left in the wake of such violence.

 

Come Lord Jesus! 

[Julsey]

Ugh!  This makes me ill.  Dragging Jehovah's name through the mud, and what it will do to those poor kids.

 

He may have been abused himself as a child, but he is a grown man now.  He may, as many do, even use this as a defense, but a lot of us had things perpetrated upon us when we were kids.  We chose not to play the victim and or use it as an excuse to hurt others. 

[Jewelz]

This subject is painful to my heart!

I feel it's just the time period we love in. 1 Tim 3 1-5 Hence all the warnings on pornography and communicating with our children. Unlike the " other religions " the offenders are put out of the congregation and Jehovah will bring true justice for these young ones.

g 10/07 p. 3 - Awake!—2007

They need all the love and support their parents and our large family is able to give!

Time and Jehovah will heal all wounds.

Sadly we have ones who don't heed Jehovah's standards and bring horrible reproach on his name.

Although this corrupt system has failed to ensure that all children are given a loving home and a secure future, our Creator will soon eliminate every kind of perversity and promiscuity, including child prostitution. Soon, surprisingly for the world, Jehovah God will intervene in human affairs by means of his Kingdom. Corrupters and exploiters will not escape divine judgment. Only people who love their fellowmen will survive to live in God’s new world. “The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.”—Proverbs 2:21, 22.

Imagine the relief when both children and adults will be able to live without degradation and sexual abuse! Even the emotional and physical harm caused by exploitation and violence will be things of the past. Former victims of sexual exploitation will be able to live without disturbing memories or aftereffects. “The former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart.”—Isaiah 65:17.

Then, no child will be born to suffer mistreatment or sexual abuse. Happiness, love, and understanding will be no mere dream. About the inhabitants of God’s new world, Isaiah 11:9 declares: “They will not do any harm or cause any ruin.”

Indeed, what a joy it will be when poverty, drug abuse, unhappy families, and moral badness are no more! Peace, righteousness, and security will reign. “My people must dwell in a peaceful abiding place and in residences of full confidence and in undisturbed resting-places.”—Isaiah 32:18.

[nanceebgd46]

Here's one link.

This links shows how our brothers handled matters....

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_23771876

[Article quote]

Perez said the investigation is ongoing and they are looking for other possible victims that Lozano could have associated with over the years. Elders of the church came forward with information that led to Lozano's arrest, he said.

"We want to make sure there are no other victims out there," Perez said. "Anyone we could help or anyone that's hurting, we want to help them."

 

 

I only know the facts released in the newspaper....but, what are 10 yr old children doing at this persons house, without adult supervision.  A pedophile will ingratiate himself to all he meets....and he will try to come across as a really normal and nice guy....of course, he is anything but nice.  I agree to what a sister stated above....you can't be to trusting.....even in the christian congregation....we can't live our lives with rose colored glasses....even in the truth.  The world has/is degenerating into a massive cesspool....deviant behavior is being marginalized ......and many people are trying to push the societal dogma that......just about anything goes.  

 

Just think, this person was operating in the congregations for 10 years....using his evil tactics to get young boys in his grasp.....and now, after all the trauma done to the all  concerned, he states that he is not guilty.....that just about says it all.

[Jobritorie]

It is a sad situation when people use their position of trust to take advantage of innocent children.  This system is getting worse and worse by the minute.  I have worked with children for almost 15 years as a special education teacher and a behavior management specialist, it is unimaginable what our children are being exposed to.  That is why last Sunday Watchtower study was so timely.  Christian parents need to be prepared to hear what their children are communicating or even be aware of changes in attitudes.  What we were expose to as children is a hundred times worse then what are children are subjected to out in Satan's world.  Again may Jehovah bless those poor children, their parents, and the congregation. 

[Greenfield]

Another very sad case. Thankfully we know that things like this are always dealt with judicially in our organization - other churches take no action against average members.

Since false charges do happen through the scheming of adults, it is for our protection that the Bible stipulates that a confession or a second witness is required for someone to be disfellowshipped, no matter the offense. (A victim is of course a witness to the offense.) A second witness of the same kind of sin but a different specific incident is sufficient for judicial action and has been that way pretty much always. (Say two different people witness a brother smoking on separate occasions, or he fornicated with two different people at different times - you get the idea - obviously that is basis for action. People do not really commit any sin in front of a crowd.) As we see here, molesters often have victimized several persons anyway before it comes to light. Additionally, evidence found during a trial by the superior authorities can also be a second witness.

Even if there is only one witness, the elders watch closely, never taking even one accusation lightly. And the parents are always free to report to police no matter what, and elders do so as required by law.

Edited August 2, 2013 by Greenfield

[Dustparticle]

It is sad that this happens in the congregation. This should be lesson for all of us and that is don't do this. We must not forget that bad things happened in the first century congregations, so we should expect it happens in the 21st century congregations too. Also, there is nothing wrong if you a God gift to young ones, yet we need to have a distance with them.

[pinkpopcorn]

As parents we must educate our children from a tender age how to avoid this situation because none of us can be with them 24/7. We teach them to say NO! And give them the correct language to fend them off. We have help in the publications to be able to do so. It only takes a predator 30 seconds to assault a child that leaves lasting scars in their minds. And this can be anywhere in the whole world.

 

We should always accompany our children, even teens, to any public restroom, even at the KH because children are vulnerable. If a person is harboring wicked thoughts about hurting another person, most likely they will carry out their wicked deeds unless our children are protected. It is so hard having children in this world when we know that the wicked one is out to get any and all he can to be hurt. Satan loves to 'scramble our brains' so that we will be messed up to ever serve Jehovah. So, right now, being captives to the wicked hoards of demons, we must act defensively.

 

I would also like to add that Satan and his demons have been acting this way for centuries. The whole reason the demons came here was for deviant sexual pleasure. And we know that ALL whom THEY CHOSE were their victims. It is just as bad now as in the days prior to the flood. Maybe worse. So none of this should shock us. We must be proactive and always on alert, especially with our precious children.

Edited August 2, 2013 by pinkpopcorn

[Joey]

That is so true Chris,demons did come here for deviant sexual pleasure. Now with them cast down here to the earth look at how deviant society has become.(Rev.12:9)

I look forward to this earth being cleansed of all this wickedness.

Psalm 37:10,11

10+ And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more;

And you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be.

11+ But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth,

And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.

[ReadYourBible]

When I first started learning about Jehovah and his people, I wondered about how issues like this were dealt with.  It stands to reason that if you have 8 million sinners in the congregation some of them will be pedophiles, and they will use it to their advantage -- it's their sin that they're working on, and frankly I have a rough time loving these ones.  I hate what they do to children, and how they use the love and unity we have in our congregations to manipulate the situation to their advantage.

 

Statistically speaking a pedophile will have roughly 100 victims before he/she is ever caught.  So it is with due concern that the congregation seeks out others who may have been violated.  

 

We have quite a few articles about protecting children, and as a parent myself I was probably too over protective. 

 

"Sexual molesters exploit a child’s ignorance. Learn From the Great Teacher addresses the subject in a wholesome, dignified manner. Informing children about sex does not take away their innocence, whereas failing to do so can lead to their being robbed of it."

 

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2005243?q=protect+children&p=par

 

This weeks topic of justice in the Jeremiah book helps me to keep this in perspective.  For all those who have been violated by ones within the congregation, and those who have been violated by others in this same fashion Jehovah SEES and he KNOWS despite whatever activities are hidden and he will cleanse the congregations and judge righteously those who commit these heinous acts.  NOTHING is hidden from him.  

 

With the skill of a surgeon who uses as scalpel, he will cut ones off as he sees fit and I truly look forward to the days when true justice is meted out.  

 

I pray that in all congregations holy spirit roots out those that are practicing these deeds, and they are quickly caught before they can do more harm.

Edited August 2, 2013 by cerebral ecstasy

[Allabord4Jah]

One good thing, he wasn't "transferred" to another Kingdom Hall anywhere in that State of other States.   It's a  sad reminder that we are living in Satan's ghetto.   My prayers and my thoughts are with all those who suffered in his hands, the congregation and the elders who protect the sheep of their fold.   Those plagues that Jesus forewarned us about may include something like this. 

[Brother_Bliss]

I just wish parents would go to the police even before they tell the elders

 

And the parents are always free to report to police no matter what, and elders do so as required by law.

 

I can understand why a parent would seek counsel from the Elders first. However, in a matter as serious as this, is should be clearly expressed that the parents best option would be to go to the police. If a police investigation determines that a brother or sister is guilty of harming an innocent child in this most disgusting manner, it should hold enough merit to warrant a disfellowshipping.

[GrumpysWife]

I very much agree with you Bob. And parents should not disregard their children when they speak of something they think might have happened to them. Especially younger children. They don't know the proper words to express  what happened, so we as parents should investigate when they talk to us and not make light of their story. Children don't normally talk about these things.

[Jewelz]

I want to add that as a child I was threatened if I told my parents would be harmed. I tried to talk about it with a teacher but was not heard. A few years later another young girl spoke up and the " pedofile " was moved to another school.

The child feels guilty as this is not a normal act and the proper words aren't found in their language to describe it and its not a story young ones make up as its too humiliating. Elders can be supportive to the family but the legal authorities NEED to know to put these animals where they can't harm anyone else!

Years of therapy later the memories still bother me!

[sis little]

Those poor boys, they will be messed up for years.

No actually for the rest of their lives, i unfortunately have had too deal with this sad but true situation.  The public puts out there bad for us and that is because we are Jehovah's witnesses, this type of mess has been going on for eons and we can't control what we do not know.  I hate the fact that these brothers at one time has brought that type of reproach on Jehovah's organization though, but this is satan's world and he gets a fantastic kick out this and others mines he has blinded.  In the end Jehovah will take care of the lowly ones.  The end of all of this is yet too come.  Amen