Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss
Priest pleads guilty to child porn charges
247 views
Skip to first unread message
MelanieJulaSakoda
Jun 11, 2014, 2:33:31 AM6/11/14
to
Priest pleads guilty to child porn charges
Author: Kyle Odegard
Date Published: 06/10/2014
Publication: Albany Democrat-Herald (Albany OR)
Link: http://democratherald.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/priest-pleads-guilty-to-child-porn-charges/article_8bc5109a-f0fb-11e3-b2ef-0019bb2963f4.html
An Albany man who was a priest with a Lewisburg Orthodox church was sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison as part of a plea deal for child pornography charges on Tuesday.
Stanley Brittain, 39, pleaded guilty in Linn County Circuit Court to four counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse during Tuesday's hearing.
Prosecutor Michael Wynhausen said Brittain trafficked online in child pornography, and had hundreds of images and movies, some with victims of abuse who were babies or toddlers.
An investigation in Oklahoma child pornography suspect led authorities to Brittain, who was arrested by Albany police in April.
Wynhausen spent minutes giving graphic details about some of the child pornography. "This is just a fraction of the images," he said.
But Wynhausen also acknowledged that Brittain told police about several individuals throughout the country who also dealt in child porn.
"There were arrests made as a result of his information," Wynhausen said, including five in Oregon.
Defense attorney Arnold Poole said at least two suspects had been arrested in Linn County.
Poole added that Brittain was trading child porn as a way to get more methamphetamine and feed his addiction to the drug.
During Brittain's time in jail, and as the methamphetamine flushed out of his system, "He became more and more appalled at the evil he was supporting," Poole said.
"I'm as disgusted as anyone. Sickened, even," Brittain told the court.
"I'm very, very sorry," he added.
Brittain, who must register as a sex offender, also was found in violation of his probation for a driving under the influence of intoxicants conviction.
He could get a 20 percent reduction in his prison time for good behavior, according to the terms of his sentence.
Brittain, who also was known as Father Isidore, was an unpaid staff member at St. Anne Orthodox Church, near Corvallis, and loosely affiliated with that facility, according to Albany police.
At the time of Brittain's arrest, police said there was no evidence he was grooming potential victims from the congregation.
Kyle Odegard covers public safety for the D-H. He can be contacted at 541-812-6077 or kyle.o...@lee.net.
Author: Kyle Odegard
Date Published: 06/10/2014
Publication: Albany Democrat-Herald (Albany OR)
Link: http://democratherald.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/priest-pleads-guilty-to-child-porn-charges/article_8bc5109a-f0fb-11e3-b2ef-0019bb2963f4.html
An Albany man who was a priest with a Lewisburg Orthodox church was sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison as part of a plea deal for child pornography charges on Tuesday.
Stanley Brittain, 39, pleaded guilty in Linn County Circuit Court to four counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse during Tuesday's hearing.
Prosecutor Michael Wynhausen said Brittain trafficked online in child pornography, and had hundreds of images and movies, some with victims of abuse who were babies or toddlers.
An investigation in Oklahoma child pornography suspect led authorities to Brittain, who was arrested by Albany police in April.
Wynhausen spent minutes giving graphic details about some of the child pornography. "This is just a fraction of the images," he said.
But Wynhausen also acknowledged that Brittain told police about several individuals throughout the country who also dealt in child porn.
"There were arrests made as a result of his information," Wynhausen said, including five in Oregon.
Defense attorney Arnold Poole said at least two suspects had been arrested in Linn County.
Poole added that Brittain was trading child porn as a way to get more methamphetamine and feed his addiction to the drug.
During Brittain's time in jail, and as the methamphetamine flushed out of his system, "He became more and more appalled at the evil he was supporting," Poole said.
"I'm as disgusted as anyone. Sickened, even," Brittain told the court.
"I'm very, very sorry," he added.
Brittain, who must register as a sex offender, also was found in violation of his probation for a driving under the influence of intoxicants conviction.
He could get a 20 percent reduction in his prison time for good behavior, according to the terms of his sentence.
Brittain, who also was known as Father Isidore, was an unpaid staff member at St. Anne Orthodox Church, near Corvallis, and loosely affiliated with that facility, according to Albany police.
At the time of Brittain's arrest, police said there was no evidence he was grooming potential victims from the congregation.
Kyle Odegard covers public safety for the D-H. He can be contacted at 541-812-6077 or kyle.o...@lee.net.
Barrie
Jun 11, 2014, 8:52:26 AM6/11/14
to
On Wednesday, June 11, 2014 2:33:31 AM UTC-4, MelanieJulaSakoda wrote:
>Brittain, who also was known as Father Isidore, was an unpaid staff member at St. Anne Orthodox Church, near Corvallis, and loosely affiliated with that facility, according to Albany police. >
Sorry, I am not current with the OCA scene: was he a priest with the OCA or not? If not why was he a "staff member" of the church? Has the OCA issued a public statement yet?
>Brittain, who also was known as Father Isidore, was an unpaid staff member at St. Anne Orthodox Church, near Corvallis, and loosely affiliated with that facility, according to Albany police. >
Catherine Jefferson
Jun 11, 2014, 10:54:43 AM6/11/14
to
(Soraich), who was retired a few years back and recently was released to
ROCOR. There was considerable controversy involving both of them at the
time. Mr. Brittian's alcoholism, in particular, was public knowledge.
His pedophilia was not. :/
Lord, have mercy!
Under His mercy,
--
Catherine Jefferson <tw8...@ergosphere.net>
Blog/Personal: http://www.ergosphere.net
nickk - not the imposter
Jun 11, 2014, 11:49:38 AM6/11/14
to
On Wednesday, June 11, 2014 10:54:43 AM UTC-4, Catherine Jefferson wrote:
> On 6/11/2014 5:52 AM, Barrie wrote:
>
> Fr. Isidore Brittain was an assistant to His Grace Bishop Nicholas
>
> (Soraich), who was retired a few years back and recently was released to
>
> ROCOR. There was considerable controversy involving both of them at the
>
> time. Mr. Brittian's alcoholism, in particular, was public knowledge.
>
> His pedophilia was not. :/
>
---------------- This should say a lot about the bishop who employed him and the other Bishop who pushed for and still supports Soriach, his buddy.
> On 6/11/2014 5:52 AM, Barrie wrote:
>
> Fr. Isidore Brittain was an assistant to His Grace Bishop Nicholas
>
> (Soraich), who was retired a few years back and recently was released to
>
> ROCOR. There was considerable controversy involving both of them at the
>
> time. Mr. Brittian's alcoholism, in particular, was public knowledge.
>
> His pedophilia was not. :/
>
Barrie
Jun 11, 2014, 3:49:33 PM6/11/14
to
On Wednesday, June 11, 2014 10:54:43 AM UTC-4, Catherine Jefferson wrote:
> On 6/11/2014 5:52 AM, Barrie wrote: > On Wednesday, June 11, 2014 2:33:31 AM UTC-4, MelanieJulaSakoda > wrote: >> Brittain, who also was known as Father Isidore, was an unpaid staff >> member at St. Anne Orthodox Church, near Corvallis, and loosely >> affiliated with that facility, according to Albany police. > > > Sorry, I am not current with the OCA scene: was he a priest with the > OCA or not? If not why was he a "staff member" of the church? Has > the OCA issued a public statement yet? Fr. Isidore Brittain was an assistant to His Grace Bishop Nicholas (Soraich), who was retired a few years back and recently was released to ROCOR. There was considerable controversy involving both of them at the time. Mr. Brittian's alcoholism, in particular, was public knowledge. His pedophilia was not. :/ Lord, have mercy! Under His mercy, -- Catherine Jefferson <tw8...@ergosphere.net> Blog/Personal: http://www.ergosphere.net
Thanks Catherine. So by accepting the two of them the ROCOR now has a problem.
Catherine Jefferson
Jun 11, 2014, 5:32:05 PM6/11/14
to
On 6/11/2014 12:49 PM, Barrie wrote:
> Thanks Catherine. So by accepting the two of them the ROCOR now
> has a problem.
ROCOR did not accept Mr. Brittain. He was defrocked by the OCA, and has
> Thanks Catherine. So by accepting the two of them the ROCOR now
> has a problem.
not been a priest for some years.
His Grace Bishop Nicholas was accepted as a retired bishop. I don't
know for sure what ROCOR intends for him, but I do not believe that they
plan to bring him out of retirement and assign him to a diocese.
+Nicholas' track record with the OCA's Alaska diocese was not good; a
number of his subordinates objected to his leadership, some to the point
of leaving their positions. The current ROCOR hierarchy is (to be frank)
sane.
I believe +Nicholas has retired to a monastery and plans to live his
life there, as have other retired bishops in both the OCA and ROCOR. I
know nothing about +Nicholas that indicates that doing this is likely to
pose a problem for ROCOR or anybody. I wish him a peaceful and
productive retirement.
++
Jun 11, 2014, 9:19:26 PM6/11/14
to
On Wednesday, June 11, 2014 10:54:43 AM UTC-4, Catherine Jefferson wrote:
> On 6/11/2014 5:52 AM, Barrie wrote:
>
> > On Wednesday, June 11, 2014 2:33:31 AM UTC-4, MelanieJulaSakoda
>
> > wrote:
>
> >> Brittain, who also was known as Father Isidore, was an unpaid staff
>
> >> member at St. Anne Orthodox Church, near Corvallis, and loosely
>
> >> affiliated with that facility, according to Albany police. >
>
> >
>
> > Sorry, I am not current with the OCA scene: was he a priest with the
>
> > OCA or not? If not why was he a "staff member" of the church? Has
>
> > the OCA issued a public statement yet?
>
>
>
> Fr. Isidore Brittain was an assistant to His Grace Bishop Nicholas
>
> (Soraich), who was retired a few years back and recently was released to
>
> ROCOR. There was considerable controversy involving both of them at the
>
> time. Mr. Brittian's alcoholism, in particular, was public knowledge.
>
> His pedophilia was not. :/
Nicely stated
>
> > On Wednesday, June 11, 2014 2:33:31 AM UTC-4, MelanieJulaSakoda
>
> > wrote:
>
> >> Brittain, who also was known as Father Isidore, was an unpaid staff
>
> >> member at St. Anne Orthodox Church, near Corvallis, and loosely
>
> >> affiliated with that facility, according to Albany police. >
>
> >
>
> > Sorry, I am not current with the OCA scene: was he a priest with the
>
> > OCA or not? If not why was he a "staff member" of the church? Has
>
> > the OCA issued a public statement yet?
>
>
>
> Fr. Isidore Brittain was an assistant to His Grace Bishop Nicholas
>
> (Soraich), who was retired a few years back and recently was released to
>
> ROCOR. There was considerable controversy involving both of them at the
>
> time. Mr. Brittian's alcoholism, in particular, was public knowledge.
>
> His pedophilia was not. :/
Didn't he travel to Australia with Bishop Nikolai as the guest of the Serbian Archdiocese?I kinda remember him as even being sent around to a couple of parishes to run retreats for children but I may have him confused with Bishop Nikolaj's other assistant.
Catherine Jefferson
Jun 12, 2014, 10:14:21 AM6/12/14
to
On 6/11/2014 6:19 PM, ++ wrote:
> Didn't he travel to Australia with Bishop Nikolai as the guest of the
> Serbian Archdiocese?I kinda remember him as even being sent around to
> a couple of parishes to run retreats for children but I may have him
> confused with Bishop Nikolaj's other assistant.
Something of that sort was said here in the group years ago. I never
> Didn't he travel to Australia with Bishop Nikolai as the guest of the
> Serbian Archdiocese?I kinda remember him as even being sent around to
> a couple of parishes to run retreats for children but I may have him
> confused with Bishop Nikolaj's other assistant.
knew what they were doing after +Nikolai retired, though.
MelanieJulaSakoda
Jun 14, 2014, 12:05:47 AM6/14/14
to
To me it also says a lot about the bishop who allowed him to serve in the Corvallis parish despite a suspension (never lifted) for disobedience.
Melanie Jula Sakoda
Melanie Jula Sakoda
MelanieJulaSakoda
Jun 14, 2014, 12:10:59 AM6/14/14
to
While it is true that Archimandrite Isidore Brittain was not accepted into ROCOR, it is not true that the OCA defrocked him. Brittain has been under suspension since he joined Bishop Nikolai Soraich in Australia without the permision of his bishop, but he was never defrocked.
Melanie Jula Sakoda
Melanie Jula Sakoda
Catherine Jefferson
Jun 14, 2014, 9:37:38 AM6/14/14
to
On 6/13/2014 9:10 PM, MelanieJulaSakoda wrote:
> While it is true that Archimandrite Isidore Brittain was not accepted
> into ROCOR, it is not true that the OCA defrocked him. Brittain has
> been under suspension since he joined Bishop Nikolai Soraich in
> Australia without the permision of his bishop, but he was never
> defrocked.
Ich. :( This is not right. I hope they take care of that omission soon.
> While it is true that Archimandrite Isidore Brittain was not accepted
> into ROCOR, it is not true that the OCA defrocked him. Brittain has
> been under suspension since he joined Bishop Nikolai Soraich in
> Australia without the permision of his bishop, but he was never
> defrocked.
++
Jun 17, 2014, 6:47:17 PM6/17/14
to
Was Bishop Nikolaj ever released to the Serbian Archdiocese in Australia or was he just a guest?
Barrie
Jun 18, 2014, 2:50:12 PM6/18/14
to
Archbishop Seraphim's sentencing has been delayed until July9th:
Sentencing hearing for cleric on sex crimes
*
Steve Lambert, The Canadian Pressat 13:56 on June 18, 2014, EDT.
WINNIPEG - A former Orthodox priest facing possible jail time for molesting an altar boy expressed empathy Wednesday toward his victim.
"Having read the victim impact statement, I felt extreme sadness and pain in my heart that he was feeling those things," Seraphim Kenneth Storheim said in a brief address at the end of his sentencing hearing.
Storheim also said he will pray for the victim "even more" from now on.
The 68-year-old former cleric was dressed in simple black clothing that contrasted with his long white beard. He sat quietly throughout the hearing before making his statement.
The Crown requested a 12-month jail sentence for Storheim, who was convicted in January of one count of sexual assault on a boy who was living and working with him in Winnipeg in 1985. The boy had been sent to live with Storheim by his family who lived in another community.
"This offender not only abused a young person, but abused a position of trust," Crown attorney Breta Passler told the court. "The offender was a priest who had been entrusted by the victim's family."
Defence lawyer Jeff Gindin said the sexual assault was a one-time incident that warrants a conditional sentence with no jail time.
"The evidence was that it was the briefest of touches."
Gindin also said Storheim has no criminal record, and has already paid a heavy price through the media attention given to the trial.
"The publicity in this case has been extensive" he said. "His reputation is ruined, clearly ... around the globe."
The altar boy, now in his 30s, testified that he was made to fondle Storheim and Storheim touched him inappropriately as well. He cannot be identified under a court-ordered publication ban.
Storheim pleaded not guilty and testified that he spoke to the boy about puberty but never touched him sexually. Justice Christopher Mainella rejected Storheim's testimony, saying it was not credible.
Storheim had been charged with sexually assaulting another altar boy as well, but that witness's testimony was often contradictory and Storheim was found not guilty on that count.
In his victim impact statement, the former altar boy said he still feels anxiety, has undergone counselling, and has lost trust in religion.
The judge will render his decision on July 9.
At the time of the offence, Storheim was a priest in the Orthodox Church in America. He later rose to archbishop -- the church's highest-ranking cleric in Canada.
The Orthodox Church in America has 700 parishes, missions and other institutions across North America. It is separate from other churches such as the Greek Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Storheim was arrested in 2010 after the former altar boys went to police with their complaints. He was placed on leave and then made to retire following his conviction.
http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/national/details.asp?c=63266
Sentencing hearing for cleric on sex crimes
*
Steve Lambert, The Canadian Pressat 13:56 on June 18, 2014, EDT.
WINNIPEG - A former Orthodox priest facing possible jail time for molesting an altar boy expressed empathy Wednesday toward his victim.
"Having read the victim impact statement, I felt extreme sadness and pain in my heart that he was feeling those things," Seraphim Kenneth Storheim said in a brief address at the end of his sentencing hearing.
Storheim also said he will pray for the victim "even more" from now on.
The 68-year-old former cleric was dressed in simple black clothing that contrasted with his long white beard. He sat quietly throughout the hearing before making his statement.
The Crown requested a 12-month jail sentence for Storheim, who was convicted in January of one count of sexual assault on a boy who was living and working with him in Winnipeg in 1985. The boy had been sent to live with Storheim by his family who lived in another community.
"This offender not only abused a young person, but abused a position of trust," Crown attorney Breta Passler told the court. "The offender was a priest who had been entrusted by the victim's family."
Defence lawyer Jeff Gindin said the sexual assault was a one-time incident that warrants a conditional sentence with no jail time.
"The evidence was that it was the briefest of touches."
Gindin also said Storheim has no criminal record, and has already paid a heavy price through the media attention given to the trial.
"The publicity in this case has been extensive" he said. "His reputation is ruined, clearly ... around the globe."
The altar boy, now in his 30s, testified that he was made to fondle Storheim and Storheim touched him inappropriately as well. He cannot be identified under a court-ordered publication ban.
Storheim pleaded not guilty and testified that he spoke to the boy about puberty but never touched him sexually. Justice Christopher Mainella rejected Storheim's testimony, saying it was not credible.
Storheim had been charged with sexually assaulting another altar boy as well, but that witness's testimony was often contradictory and Storheim was found not guilty on that count.
In his victim impact statement, the former altar boy said he still feels anxiety, has undergone counselling, and has lost trust in religion.
The judge will render his decision on July 9.
At the time of the offence, Storheim was a priest in the Orthodox Church in America. He later rose to archbishop -- the church's highest-ranking cleric in Canada.
The Orthodox Church in America has 700 parishes, missions and other institutions across North America. It is separate from other churches such as the Greek Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Storheim was arrested in 2010 after the former altar boys went to police with their complaints. He was placed on leave and then made to retire following his conviction.
http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/national/details.asp?c=63266
Message has been deleted
MelanieJulaSakoda
Jun 18, 2014, 4:00:08 PM6/18/14
to
Since the OCA recently released Bishop Nikolai Soraich to ROCOR, I would assume that he was just a guest in Australia.
Melanie Jula Sakoda
Melanie Jula Sakoda
++
Jun 18, 2014, 8:58:12 PM6/18/14
to
0 new messages