It is with deep concern that we are moved to send this letter to all of you. We understand that an email in which Ira and Joan Hobbs misrepresent key information about Katie’s special meeting visit at their home has been circulating privately, though it has not yet been posted publicly.
Katie is our dear sister, and we are worried about the additional harm she may experience due to Ira’s email. We do not want Ira’s letter with misinformation to cause division between us.
We believe and support victim-survivors, and we believe and support Katie. Because the majority of SA and CSA cases go unreported due to shame, fear, and lack of support, we feel it is our responsibility as shepherds to support those who cry out for help.
We would like to directly address the misinformation in Ira’s email.
- Ira has a long history of sexual assault allegations, some of which he has admitted to. In 2008, Ira was removed from the work because of credible allegations that he committed CSA. One of the victims was only eight years old at the time that she was abused: she is now 71 years old.
- Mona Reece was not present at the Hobbs’ home during Katie’s visit. Although our special meeting rounds had scheduled Mona and Katie to visit the Hobbs on that date. Mona attended a funeral and stayed in a different home on that date instead. This change of plans left our sister Katie alone in their home.
- After staying at the Hobbs’ home, Katie experienced complications and sought medical help. The medical professionals who looked after her confirmed that she had been assaulted. They also discovered that she had been drugged with a ‘date-rape drug’ that rendered her helpless against Ira’s assault. This drug is known to have amnesiac effects, meaning (hat the drug prevented our sister from remembering exactly what was done to her during the time that she was drugged.
- Law enforcement continues to investigate the case against Ira. We, along with Ray Hoffmann, support Katie’s legal team in their efforts to find justice for her and the other numerous victim-survivors of Ira’s assaults.
As friends and workers, we want to be united in our compassion for victim-survivors and to take appropriate steps that will bring an end to this shameful history of abuse. We pray that all victim-survivors would find comfort and peace.
Your brothers and sisters,
Craig Winquist, Daniel Farris, Steve Marshall, Diane Harper, and Jennifer Horton
Comments from Abbi Prussack:
I’d like to take this opportunity to point out a very common defense strategy used by perpetrators of abuse. As we know, abusers “groom” potential victims by establishing trust, and building an image of themselves that makes the victim less likely to resist their behavior and less likely to report it. Abusers also use this tactic with parents, in order to get closer to child victims and create a buffer of doubt, should the child ever try to speak up about the abuse. This letter is an example of someone who is “grooming the public.” By loudly presenting their fabricated version of events alongside vivid details, empathetic statements, and pitiful feelings, they are able to plant a seed of doubt in observers’ minds. If they can convince enough of the public that they are humble and trustworthy, the public will be more willing to doubt, dismiss, and blame the victim-survivors who they have harmed.
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There is ample evidence of this assault, and there is an ongoing legal investigation. Most survivors aren’t afforded these privileges, and many abusers’ attempts at grooming the public end up to be successful. Please keep this survivor in your thoughts as attempts to retraumatize and silence her continue. We will always stand with survivors, and we are grateful to you all for doing the same.
TRIGGER WARNING
The following letter from Ira and Joan Hobbs is posted to demonstrate how sex offenders operate, often successfully. WINGS strongly supports the response from Craig etc (above) which is a proper response to this type of letter from a perpetrator.
From: “Ira Hobbs” [email redacted]
To: redacted
Sent: Sat, Nov 4, 2023 at 8:48 PM
Subject: false report corrected
Our dear Ones,
Due to the internet publishing of false allegations that we heard of this spring, we want to share with you the account of the visit to our home by Mona Reese and Katie Keim 4 years ago. It was the only time either of them were in our home.
Four years ago, the first week of April (our special meeting time each year), Mona Reese and Katie Keim came to our home in late evening, Joan and I greeted them, shaking their hands in welcome. After a very pleasant visit in the living room, we all retired to our bedrooms for the night at 8 p.m. Each of the visitors got a glass for water as they went. Our guest rooms are located at the west end of our house, with a private bathroom. and our bedroom and bath is at the east end. So, it offers totally privacy for all. We did not know whether both slept in the one bedroom or used both rooms.
At 7:30 a.m., we served breakfast at the agreed time, Both Katie and Mona were cheerful and ready for breakfast. We asked Katie if she would like to offer thanks at the table. She gave thanks for the food, for the restful night, and for the fellowship we share together. She asked for God’s blessing on our day together. After breakfast, we asked Katie to share how she heard the gospel, and she responded eagerly. Mona also shared of her experiences. It was a wonderful time of fellowship.
They returned to their room for continued meditation and prayer in preparation for the special meeting that evening at Edgar Wilson’s home. At some time in the morning, Katie went outside and gathered early spring flowers and boughs that were budding and arranged them in a vase to present them for the dining table. Joan was elated, and asked Katie if she had worked as a florist since it was such a nice arrangement. At lunch, Mona offered thanks, and again we had such pleasant and refreshing sharing. It was a very memorable visit, so similar to our visits with other workers and friends before then and after that. They went to another home for supper, and then to the meeting that night. All the visitors spoke helpfully, giving fresh inspiration and comfort.
So, you might understand why we were shocked beyond measure when we had a visitor to our home this spring – an investigating officer (a lady) from the state police. She asked if we sometimes had visitors and meetings in our home, and how the visits went. We spoke of the wonderful fellowship that meant so much to us and to our friends. Then she asked if we knew Katie Keim and Mona Reese. Yes, we said they had been to our home a few years ago, and we had such good memories of the time together. Then she mentioned that it was reported that Katie might have been abused when they were here. I said, “What? Has Katie totally lost her mind?” We shared memories of the day they were at our home. The officer examined the layout of our home before she departed. Joan and I wondered what has happened anyway!
Unfortunately, Katie has been in a field where some relatives of saints have been very active in following the internet opposition to our fellowship in Christ, and have been very critical of workers and saints with accusations both true and false. They have had their effect on Katie, causing her to be very restive and with loss of interest in the mission work this year. When Katie was questioned about her accusation of abuse, she said that she had no knowledge of abuse from any man, but others had advised her that it might have been possible without her knowing it. So, it was obvious her thinking had been controlled by evil advisors who search for ways to reproach believers. Workers and saints were alarmed that Katie was having such a difficult time.
Fortunately, it was arranged for Katie to have a change of fields, to get away from the influence that had troubled her. She spoke at Rogers, AR convention from Psalm 137, saying she had experienced something like Israel did when they were in Babylon, when she had lost her song in the confusion, and she was thankful for deliverance. She said, “I never want to experience that situation again ever!” We are glad that she is in a new field and with fresh prospects of usefulness.
The report from civil authorities this summer was that there was no evidence of any abuse at our home, and there was no reason to justify litigation in the matter. That was determined after extensive and thorough investigation.
We pray God will forgive those who have published such a devastating accusation that was totally false, and would hope that they will publicize their apology for such lack of discretion.
In spite of all that has taken place, Joan and I have found peace and comfort, knowing that God the Judge of all understands and has given grace to bear the reproach cast upon us. All in the church here have been great comfort to us. We thank God for such rich fellowship with them.
Joan joins in loving greetings to each of you. She wants to add a note to this. All good wishes, Ira
Dear Hobbs family,
I cannot understand how such a report was published on the internet! It was totally false, and without any attempt at confirmation of facts. It has caused us to pray for those who have been so thoughtless and unkind, hoping God will be merciful to forgive them and make them wiser and merciful to others.
We are comforted in that God understands and cares.
We love you and hope that all goes well for you. Thank you for praying for us. Love, Joan
WINGS Note: Due to the potential impact on victims of Ira and other perpetrators, comments are blocked for this post.
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