By Mark Caudill
News Journal
July 18, 2008
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080718/NEWS01/807180305/1002
MANSFIELD — A former Mansfield youth pastor was arrested Thursday in southwest Ohio on 10 sex-related felonies reportedly involving a teenage parishioner.
John Picard, 40, of Springboro, has been charged with 10 counts of sexual battery, all third-degree felonies. He is accused of having sexual relations with a girl starting in 1992 when she was 13 and continuing until she reached adulthood. Picard was a youth pastor at Grace Brethren Church on Marion Avenue at the time.
Police said they think there are other victims.
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| John Picard, 40, of Springboro, was charged with 10 counts of sexual battery, all third-degree felonies. He is accused of having sexual relations with a girl starting in 1992 when she was 13 and continuing until she reached adulthood. Picard was a youth pastor at Grace Brethren Church on Marion Avenue at the time. |
"He's probably one of the most despicable pedophiles that there can be," Mansfield police Lt. Allen Vandayburg said. "It's a sad, sad state of affairs when somebody of trust can't be trusted."
Vandayburg and Detective Jeff Shook went to Springboro, in the Dayton area, to arrest Picard. He was being held in Warren County Jail pending an extradition hearing early next week.
Shook opened the case in 2005.
"It's been open and closed, open and closed," Shook said. "People have been coming forward periodically, giving bits and pieces."
Shook said the problem with most sex-abuse cases is there are no witnesses. Police need corroborating statements to make their case.
They got them this time.
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How to Help Anyone with information relating to the John Picard case is asked to call Mansfield police Detective Jeff Shook at 419-774-3533. |
"We caught a break," Vandayburg said. "A victim came forward."
Police hope more people are willing to talk.
"I think he'll be looking at a multi-count indictment before it's done. At least I hope so," Vandayburg said. "He manipulated these girls and used their faith against them to gain sexual satisfaction for himself."
Shook said some of the alleged abuse occurred in the church "under cloak of counseling behind closed doors," while other reported incidents happened at Picard's 419 Sloane Ave. residence. Vandayburg said Picard has not been involved with Grace Brethren in about four years.
"Allegations started surfacing," he said. "The ministers decided they didn't need his services anymore."
Vandayburg said Picard has been working in Springboro for a steel company for some time, but moved there only three or four months ago. He said Picard still has a house in Mansfield for sale.
In this case, Shook said the abuse occurred "once or twice or three times a month." Prosecutors settled on two counts each year until the reported victim turned 18.
"That's preliminary charges until we sift through other information," Shook said. "We know of several victims. Their identities will be as protected as we can protect them."
Vandayburg said Picard might have a hold on some of the reported victims.
"He still keeps up with some of these girls as adults. They're still followers," the lieutenant said. "That's how much he's brainwashed them."
Contact: mcaudill@nncogannett.com, 419-521-7219
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