I call this type of perpetrator a “double life” pastor. He has is day job as a Christian bookstore manager and pastor of Church of the Brethren in Stanley. By night he allegedly stalks young boys. I say an involuntary WTF every time I read a story like this one.
Pastor Ervin Witmer was arrested on three counts of sexual assault on a 15-year-old boy.
According to the complaint, the boy told police in August he met someone named "Sam" online and gave him his phone number after they had talked about sex.
Sam called the boy when he came to town and made arrangements to pick him up in Fitchburg.
They drove to the motel where they had sex, the complaint states, and Sam dropped the boy off at a library.
Source: Christian book store manager sought on charge of having sex with 15-year-old boy
Witmer’s church expressed shock at the allegations.
A church official says he is "shocked and surprised" at the allegations, saying he has known Witmer for a long time and prior to this, there seemed to be a lot of respect for him. He also points out Witmer was chosen by the congregation to be their pastor, and was not ordained or licensed by the main church
Source: Area preacher accused of sexually assaulting teen boy
Why did they feel it necessary to distance Witmer from the main church? Are they ashamed of their predator in the pulpit?
