By Christy Gutowski
Daily Herald
November 6, 2007
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=71321
A former organist for several Joliet Diocese parishes and schools must report to jail later this month to begin a short stint behind bars for having child pornography.
Richard W. Stocker said he didn't realize the illicit images of children were among the tens of thousands of pornographic materials he stored on his computer since 1997.
The judge, though, wasn't so easily convinced.
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| Richard W. Stocker |
"If you look at these pictures, it's clear they are not 18 years or older," DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis said. "Somewhere, these young children are being put through all kinds of degrading, humiliating and traumatizing sexual experiences that will affect them the rest of their lives because of people like Mr. Stocker who buy into this kind of pornography."
The judge sentenced Stocker to three years of probation, 180 days in jail and, upon his release, ordered extensive sex-offender monitoring and counseling. Stocker also must register as a sex offender.
Stocker, 61, of Glendale Heights did not have a prior criminal record, but two men testified Monday that he molested them about 30 years ago when they were teens. He was never charged because they did not report the abuse until recently.
"I was a kid," said one man, who was molested once at 12 or 13 while attending St. Matthew's Catholic School in Glendale Heights. "I had no idea what was going on. I recall asking him, 'What are you doing?'"
Stocker had worked as an organist during liturgical services from 1996 until November 2005, when he resigned. He played at several churches, including St. Daniel the Prophet Church in Wheaton, St. Isaac Jogues in Hinsdale, the Church of St. Jude in Joliet and St. Joseph Church in Lockport.
Police began investigating him after one of the men reported Stocker abused him three decades ago at St. Francis High School in Wheaton. He said Stocker repeatedly exposed him to gay bars, pornographic theaters, adult bookstores and even arranged for another adult to molest him.
Police said they uncovered at least three child victims. It was too late to bring charges, but Wheaton police Detectives David Zdan and Steve Hamill confiscated Stocker's computer as part of their investigation.
Prosecutors indicted Stocker on possession of child pornography for having about 200 images of nude children bound and engaged in sex acts. He pleaded guilty Monday, facing either probation or up to five years in prison.
His attorney, Ernest DiBenedetto, said Stocker needs treatment, a benefit he will not receive in prison. Prosecutor Alex McGimpsey, though, said Stocker cannot be trusted and is without remorse. The prosecutor sought a tough prison term.
Rev. Thomas McGivney of St. Joseph Church in Lockport described the defendant as a "very good man." Stocker also apologized, including to the two men whom he decades ago stole their innocence.
He denied having sexual contact with any minors since then. As a condition of probation, Judge Bakalis prohibited Stocker from having contact with children under 18 during his three-year probation period.
"I want you to get the message," the judge warned. "If you don't make it on probation, there's no other place for you to go but prison."
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