From: Richard Gasser
Date: Wed. May 10, 2023, 11:08 AM
Subject inappropriate Sexual Behaviour
To: Richard Gasser

Dear Friends in the Grand Island & Lincoln area

It is with great sadness that we must send this email.

An anonymous victim has come forward with an accusation, that we believe to be true against Russ Hall for very inappropriate sexual behavior toward a minor.
It has been turned into the proper authorities. At this point we have asked Russ to not attend any meetings, Sunday Meetings, Wednesday Meetings, Gospel Meetings, Special meetings or Convention.

We take absolutely no pleasure in exposing other’s failures. Especially when we consider our own great need of the Mercy of the Lord, However with the case of Sexual behavior with minors it is criminal and must be acknowledged, before it can be helped. The effects of sexual abuse on children Is devastating and long lasting. We have been made aware that by failing to communicate openly about these things can cause ongoing trauma for past victims and make victims afraid to report their own experience.

Here is the 24/7 Child Abuse; Neglect Hotline number for any one to call: (800) 652-1999

Maybe it is best we mention also of several workers that are no longer in the work because of varying accounts of indecent behavior that has come to light in the past few months as well, we are not sure who might have been here to these states to visit? Mark Huddle, John Vandenberg, Braydon Dutton, Robert Flippo.

Though their actions have been very wrong, We plead that no one would show a hateful spirit toward any of these. We are very conscious we are dealing with precious souls and our belief and hope is that Honesty before God and the power of Jesus’ cleansing blood will enable us all to stand before our Eternal Judge one day and be accepted Into his eternal realm

All of our Kansas and Nebraska staff are planning to attend a seminar in Scottsbluff at the beginning of June before the Scottsbluff convention that concerns child abuse and reporting etc. We hope in time, to share some thoughts from that with you as well We are sorry for times in the past that we have not responded like we should to these things and we hope to do better.

With loving Care & Concern
the KS NE Workers

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WINGS Note:

Russ Hall is a former worker who was stationed in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, and Kansas throughout the 80s and 90s and now lives in Nebraska.

Professional advice from a professing law enforcement training officer

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This email is worded rather strongly, but the reality is that I cannot word this strongly enough. 

I have received some questions regarding sex offenders and suspected offenders being in meeting with potential victims and what the threshold should be for notifying parents, caregivers, and potential adult victims when someone has offended or is suspected of being an offender. Bottom line, if someone is convicted of or suspected of being a sex offender, they should not be meeting with those who represent their victims (children, teenagers, single women, sister workers, etc.) and people should always be notified so they can protect the vulnerable as they see fit. Failure to do so is comparable to handing a drug addict illicit drugs and trusting/hoping they won’t use the drugs and hurt someone. Allowing suspected offenders to be around potential victims is irresponsible and those who knowingly allow that to happen may be guilty of a crime if a suspected offender reoffends. I can only speak for the state of Montana, but MCA 45-5-628 (Criminal Child Endangerment) and MCA 45-5-622 (Endangering Welfare of Children) may apply; a conviction is not required in order to mandate steps be taken to protect children. Note that notifications should not be done in a malicious spirit of judgement, but with the intention of protecting the vulnerable. 

It is important to understand that the laws vary quite a bit from state to state and that the proper application of law is often a grey area. What I mean by “grey area” is that it is impossible for the legislature to write laws that specifically cover every single possible scenario, so laws tend to be written simply and are then enforced with a measure of latitude. A lot of people read laws and think “it doesn’t specifically cover this situation therefore it doesn’t apply”. However, law enforcement officers and prosecutors are given discretion to rely on prudent judgement and historical case law when it comes to enforcing laws. The US judicial system is designed so that a jury will decide whether or not the latitude and discretion applied by both the investigating officer(s) and prosecutor is appropriate. Despite this measure of latitude, law enforcement officers and prosecutors still often believe that a crime has occurred but still do not have the proof required for a conviction as beyond a reasonable doubt is a difficult standard to obtain. Because of this, along with the traumatizing effects on a victim of reporting a crime, it is understood that the vast majority of sex and child endangerment crimes go unreported, unpunished, and many offenders remain free. No one should wait for a criminal conviction before taking action to protect the vulnerable. A prudent officer will try to err on the side of protecting the vulnerable when possible. Friends and workers should do the same. With this in mind, parents and caregivers have a moral obligation to not meet with someone they believe may pose a danger. Once again, anyone who attempts to force potential victims to meet with known or suspected offenders may be guilty of a crime. Of greater importance, anyone who knowingly endangers the vulnerable is guilty of a serious moral failure regardless of criminal code application.

Unfortunately, I am receiving many accounts of workers and friends making determinations of risk on their own. It has happened often in the past and it is regrettably happening right now across North America. It is not appropriate for someone who is untrained in sex crimes and survivor trauma to attempt such determinations. Romans 13 1-7 is quite clear that some things are to be left to the law. Sexual deviancy is unquestionably one of those things. Investigating sex crimes requires an understanding of survivor trauma that the untrained do not have. We have learned in recent years that investigating sex crimes requires a completely different approach which has unfortunately caused a lot of legitimate claims to be dismissed by law enforcement in the past. Without going into too much detail, a person who has experienced survivor trauma is often going to behave and communicate in a manner that comes across as unreliable to an untrained person. However, a properly trained and experienced investigator understands that seemingly unreliable survivor trauma behaviors are actually a strong indicator that a crime has occured. This is why determinations of crime should be left to law enforcement officers who are specifically trained in such matters. Risk of re-offense should be left to mental health professionals who are specifically trained in such matters. Knowing what we know now, trying to handle things “in house” rather than turning things over to the authorities is harmful and may be criminal. 

It is everyone’s duty to speak up against actions which put the vulnerable at risk. Many have taken the stance that they are going to sit back, pray, and allow God to handle it. However, God’s work often requires his people to both pray and take action. Faith without works is dead. It may be uncomfortable and unpleasant, but God needs his people to take a stand for what is right. Suspected crimes are to be reported to law enforcement. Those who endanger potential victims need to be counseled. If they fail to take appropriate action, they are to be reported. 

I hope this is helpful. Please feel free to share as necessary. 

M. S.

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Criminal Child Endangerment

45-5-628. Criminal child endangerment. (1) A person commits the offense of criminal child endangerment if the person purposely, knowingly, or negligently causes substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to a child under 14 years of age by:

(a) failing to seek reasonable medical care for a child suffering from an apparent acute life-threatening condition;

(b) placing a child in the physical custody of another who the person knows has previously purposely or knowingly caused bodily injury to a child;

(c) placing a child in the physical custody of another who the person knows has previously committed an offense against the child under 45-5-502 or 45-5-503;

(d) manufacturing or distributing dangerous drugs in a place where a child is present;

(e) operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs in violation of 61-8-1002 or committing aggravated driving under the influence as defined in 61-8-1001 with a child in the vehicle; or

(f) failing to attempt to provide proper nutrition for a child, resulting in a medical diagnosis of nonorganic failure to thrive.

(2) A person may not be charged under subsection (1)(b) or (1)(c) if the person placed the child in the other person’s custody pursuant to a court order.

(3) A person convicted of the offense of criminal child endangerment shall be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both.

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Endangering Welfare Of Children

45-5-622. Endangering welfare of children. (1) A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of a child less than 18 years old commits the offense of endangering the welfare of children if the parent, guardian, or other person knowingly endangers the child’s welfare by violating a duty of care, protection, or support.

(2) Except as provided in 16-6-305, a parent or guardian or any person who is 18 years of age or older, whether or not the parent, guardian, or other person is supervising the welfare of the child, commits the offense of endangering the welfare of children if the parent, guardian, or other person knowingly contributes to the delinquency of a child less than:

(a) 18 years old by:

(i) supplying or encouraging the use of an intoxicating substance by the child; or

(ii) assisting, promoting, or encouraging the child to enter a place of prostitution; or

(b) 16 years old by assisting, promoting, or encouraging the child to:

(i) abandon the child’s place of residence without the consent of the child’s parents or guardian; or

(ii) engage in sexual conduct.

(3) A person, whether or not the person is supervising the welfare of a child less than 18 years of age, commits the offense of endangering the welfare of children if the person, in the residence of a child, in a building, structure, conveyance, or outdoor location where a child might reasonably be expected to be present, in a room offered to the public for overnight accommodation, or in any multiple-unit residential building, knowingly:

(a) produces or manufactures methamphetamine or attempts to produce or manufacture methamphetamine;

(b) possesses any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that contains any combination of the items listed in 45-9-107 with intent to manufacture methamphetamine; or

(c) causes or permits a child to inhale, be exposed to, have contact with, or ingest methamphetamine or be exposed to or have contact with methamphetamine paraphernalia.

(4) A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of a child less than 16 years of age may verbally or in writing request a person who is 18 years of age or older and who has no legal right of supervision or control over the child to stop contacting the child if the requester believes that the contact is not in the child’s best interests. If the person continues to contact the child, the parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of the child may petition or the county attorney may upon the person’s request petition for an order of protection under Title 40, chapter 15. To the extent that they are consistent with this subsection, the provisions of Title 40, chapter 15, apply. A person who purposely or knowingly violates an order of protection commits the offense of endangering the welfare of children and upon conviction shall be sentenced as provided in subsection (5)(a).

(5) (a) Except as provided in subsection (5)(b), a person convicted of endangering the welfare of children shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both. A person convicted of a second offense of endangering the welfare of children shall be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both.

(b) A person convicted under subsection (3) is guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 5 years and may be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000, or both. If a child suffers serious bodily injury, the offender shall be fined an amount not to exceed $25,000 or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both. Prosecution or conviction of a violation of subsection (3) does not bar prosecution or conviction for any other crime committed by the offender as part of the same conduct.

(6) On the issue of whether there has been a violation of the duty of care, protection, and support, the following, in addition to all other admissible evidence, is admissible: cruel treatment; abuse; infliction of unnecessary and cruel punishment; abandonment; neglect; lack of proper medical care, clothing, shelter, and food; and evidence of past bodily injury.

(7) The court may order, in its discretion, any fine levied or any bond forfeited upon a charge of endangering the welfare of children paid to or for the benefit of the person or persons whose welfare the defendant has endangered.

Ronald Lee Schober dob October 8, 1953

WA State records Case 937474 show that Ronald Schober was convicted in a ‘Rape of Child’ case, probably in 1988, and he is known to have served prison time.

He had a previous conviction for lewd and lascivious conduct in 1977, and in 1982 had agreed to undertake counselling in lieu of prosecution for indecent exposure to a child.

Richard Leon Schober dob July 23, 1945, was a worker in the late 1960s. He was caught abusing children at convention and removed from the work but overseers did not pursue charges.

He subsequently married and had children and was reported to have abused many children.

WA State records Case 235974 show that Richard Schober was convicted in an ‘Indecent Liberties’ case, probably around 1982, and he is known to have served prison time.

He is currently living in Alaska and has been reported as exhibiting grooming behaviour. He was allowed to attend meetings since around 2014, despite concern from local families.

Recently he has been removed from physical attendance at meetings but there are still concerns about risk to the community.

Former Casino man accused of 32 child sex offences

THE 63-year-old is accused of the repeated indecent and sexual assault of a four to eight year old girl between late 1977 and early 1981, while in his mid-20s.

By Hamish Broome December 8, 2017 – 1:04PM

COURT proceedings against a former Casino man accused of a raft of historical child sexual abuse crimes appear to be moving towards a resolution after two years.

Cecil James Blyth was excused from appearing in Lismore Local Court on Tuesday, where the matter was mentioned for the 12th time since Blyth was charged in late 2015.

The 63-year-old now lives five hours’ drive away near Kingaroy in Queensland.

He is accused of the repeated indecent and sexual assault of a four to eight year old girl between late 1977 and early 1981, while in his mid-20s.

Blyth is charged with 18 counts of assaulting a female and committing an act of indecency, and 14 counts of committing an act of indecency on a female under 16 years old.

Thirty of the charges concern a single alleged victim, while two others relate to an unknown alleged female victim.

All of the alleged assaults happened in Casino.

On Tuesday the DPP prosecutor told the court that facts were being negotiated “towards a resolution”.

The matter was adjourned to December 19 to return to Lismore Local Court when the court heard Blyth is “likely” to be committed for sentence.

He is required to attend court.

From: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/former-casino-man-accused-of-32-child-sex-offences/news-story/3633eb00566ce9b360cd734fc98a99b1

Former sect leader pleads guilty to child sex charges

By Chris Johnston March 20, 2014 — 9.03pm

A former leader of a secretive Victorian sect has pleaded guilty to child sex charges in a Gippsland court.

Chris Chandler, 56, of French Island, a former senior member of the shadowy Bible sect known as Friends and Workers or the Two by Twos, pleaded guilty in the LaTrobe Valley Magistrate’s Court on Thursday to nine charges including unlawful indecent assaults, indecent assaults and gross indecency on three young female victims.

Several charges were dropped during the committal mention hearing on Thursday but Chandler faces court again in May after entering his guilty plea.

The charges date back to the 1970s when Chandler was aged in his 20s. Some victims were under 12. Chandler was not a member of the sect then but joined only three years later.

A Fairfax Media investigation last year established senior members of the sect knew of the allegations yet promoted him, in 1991, to the senior position of “worker”, or minister – meaning he was travelling throughout Victoria and Tasmania and staying in family homes as a “missionary”.

From 1991 until 2004 Chandler was in Wodonga, Shepparton, Launceston and rural Tasmania. He later positioned himself within the sect as a counsellor and contact for victims of child sexual abuse.

Chandler, a self-employed ecologist who recently returned from several years in Uruguay and Brazil, resigned from the sect in 2012. Yet he went to an overnight sect convention where children were present at Speed, near Mildura, and last year went to sect meetings at Crib Point near Hastings.

A submission to the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious groups – by an organisation called Wings, an online group of former Friends and Workers sect members – said the sect is “haphazard” in dealing with sexual abuse allegations and “the main focus has been on protecting the reputation of the Workers and not on helping victims”.

The sect has 2000 Victorian members and an estimated 200,000 worldwide. It is an offshoot of the Cooneyites. The Irish founder of the Cooneyites was the Protestant evangelist Edward Cooney, who moved to Mildura and died there in 1960 – hence Victoria’s strong membership.

Matthew 10 in The Bible sets out much of what the sect believes. In it, Jesus sends out his disciples to cleanse the world of “impure spirits”.

The sect was linked to the suicides of Narelle and Stephen Henderson, aged 14 and 12, of Pheasant Creek near Kinglake, in 1994. It holds five conventions a year at Speed, Colac, Drouin and at Thoona near Benalla.

They have no churches or headquarters and no written policies or doctrines. Short hair is forbidden on sect women. Long hair is forbidden on men. Television, radio, movies, dancing and jewellery are usually banned in sect homes.

The Victorian and Tasmanian leader of Friends and Workers, David Leitch, is known to be close to Chandler. In 2012, Chandler and Leitch wrote a letter to all Victorian sect members announcing Chandler would step down “from the Work” because police in Gippsland had begun questioning him about the allegations that have now led to Chandler’s sex charges.

In 2011 another senior Victorian “worker”, Ernest Barry, was convicted in a Gippsland court on five indecent assault charges over four years on a girl, a sect member, in the 1970s.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to jail, but was given a suspended sentence on appeal.

Police say they knew of another 12 alleged victims, but could not lay further charges against Barry, who now lives in Warrnambool, because the additional alleged victims would not come forward or press charges.

When Chandler was a “worker” in Wodonga in 1995, the co-“worker” with him in family homes was Ernest Barry.

Then last year – this time in South Australia – the issue of child sexual abuse emerged in the secret sect again. A South Australian “worker”, who has now moved to Victoria, alleged to Leitch that another fellow “worker” had been allegedly sexually abusing children.

Leitch sacked the worker who raised the allegations because he says the allegations were not true and he knew they were not true because he investigated them himself.

From: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/former-sect-leader-pleads-guilty-to-child-sex-charges-20140320-3562h.html

Dear Friends,

We are sorry for the sorrow and distress this will likely cause but feel it is necessary to share with you. One of the Virginia friends, Hodgie Holgersen, was recently arrested and charged with taking indecent liberties with a child. He is currently out on bail awaiting trial, and by court order is not permitted to attend any of our meetings.

We were also recently contacted by an advocate for a woman who reported having been molested by Hodgie years ago in another state when she was a child. They were aware of Hodgie’s recent arrest and were concerned that he might still be in meetings with children. We want to make it clear that, regardless of legal requirements, there will be no future arrangement for Hodgie to be in meetings without conferring with ALL of our friends in the area where he would attend.

It is strongly recommended by health care professionals that anyone charged with a sexual crime within a group or community be openly identified for the sake of children within that group. Pending Hodgie’s trial, our purpose in sending this letter is to prioritize the welfare of our brothers and sisters, and especially the children among us, and to encourage open communication about such things.

Sharing this prior to a verdict is not something we find easy to do, especially when we consider our own need for God’s mercy. However, we have learned that cases involving child sexual abuse must be handled differently. The effects on children who experience sexual abuse are devastating and long-lasting. We have come to understand that failure to communicate openly about things like this can cause ongoing trauma for past victims. It can also make victims feel fearful about reporting their experiences.

We trust that everyone will understand that we do not encourage a hateful spirit toward Hodgie. Our hope and belief are that honesty before God and the cleansing blood of Jesus will enable us all to stand before God and be accepted in the day of judgment. When we witness someone facing severe consequences in this life, we’re moved to seek the Lord’s help to save us all from the eternal consequences of sin.

With care,

The VA/MD/DE/NC Workers

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WINGS Note:

Hodgie has been allowed to attend meetings up until his recent arrest on March 24, 2023 – recorded as “aggravated sexual battery” toward a child under the age of 13, and “indecent liberties” with a child under the age of 15. These offenses occurred in October of 2022.

Currently known locations of abuse are Virginia and Hawaii.

If you have any information or have been abused by this person, your input could be invaluable to those seeking justice. Contact law enforcement in the jurisdiction in which the crime occurred.

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