ARLINGTON (VA)
Catholic Herald
Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 12/15/05)
The Diocese of Arlington recently received a letter containing allegations of two incidents of sexual misconduct, committed 30 years ago, involving Father Robert C. Brooks, who was removed from active ministry more than a year ago. In keeping with diocesan child protection policy, civil law enforcement authorities were advised of the allegations regarding Father Brooks, and the diocese will cooperate fully with any investigation by those authorities. The diocese also will conduct its own investigation of the allegations, as required by the policy. As this investigation is in its preliminary stages, the diocese has not made any final determination as to the merit of the allegations.
Father Brooks, 73, was removed from active ministry in October 2004, immediately after Loudoun County officials informed the diocese of their intent to arrest Father Brooks on a charge of possession of child pornography. Father Brooks subsequently entered a no contest plea in October 2005 to a felony charge of attempted possession of child pornography. Authorities said he used a credit card to access a child pornography Web site in 2003, which attracted the attention of federal investigators.
Father Brooks was sentenced on Dec. 12 to two years probation and ordered to enroll in a sex offender treatment program for trying to access child pornography online. Judge Herman A. Whisenant Jr. sentenced Father Brooks to three years in prison, but the jail time was suspended in favor of probation after several church members spoke of Father Brooks’ years of service.