BishopAccountability.org
	Church Not Forthcoming with Info Officials and Pastor Will Meet to Discuss Ex-Counselor Charged with Sex Assault News-Sun December 20, 2007 http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/705716,5_1_WA20_SEXOFFENDER_S1.article Lake County Sheriff's Office detectives will be meeting with a Wauconda church pastor and his legal advisor today in an effort to get more information about students that were taught by a former counselor arrested for sex offenses. Zachary Carlson, 17, of 400 N. Main St., Wauconda, is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail on two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony, and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony. Carlson was working as a counselor at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, 25225 W. Ivanhoe Road, Wauconda, in August when he allegedly had sexual contact four times with an 8-year-old girl and a 7-year-old girl. Both children reported the incidents to their parents. Carlson was arrested on a warrant last week at Wauconda High School. If convicted, he could be sentenced to more than 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Detectives said the church has not notified the Department of Children and Family Services and there has been trouble getting information from the church, said Det. Wendall Russell. Russell said he will be meeting with Pastor Charles Merkner and his legal advisor Thursday, but will have in hand three subpoenas from the grand jury requesting information from the church. The church issued a press release stating that the families and children of the church are its highest priority and it is very concerned about the allegations. The release also said they are cooperating fully and will follow a policy of openness and complete disclosure.
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