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  Retired Lancaster County Pastor Accused of Having Sexual Relationships with Teen Boys

By Jaime Garland
Fox 43
December 17, 2009

http://www.fox43.com/news/wpmt-pm-news-pastor-cahrged-12-16-09,0,1912070.story

[with video]

MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, LANCASTER COUNTY - A retired Lancaster County pastor is facing charges, accused of having sexual relations with a 13 year old boy.

It's not the first time 64 year old Dennis Spangler, of Manheim Township, has been accused of these types of crimes. Initially, charges were brought in September and now more, including Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse. That charge carries a minimum ten years in prison.

Police say he committed the crimes inside a hangar at Lancaster County Airport, where he was a flight instructor.

Craig Stedman, Lancaster County District Attorney, says, "there was a method of operation that he was developing, developing trust of these young boys and by using the airport and airplanes to take advantage of them."

Spangler is also accused of caressing and kissing a 15 year old boy at the airport. The activity happened over a seven month period, from October 2008 and September 2009.

Maria Petropoulos lives near Dennis Spangler. She says, "it's incredibly shocking to have someone so close to me have this happen to him, especially in my neighborhood."

Even more shocking, Spangler is a retired pastor and also volunteered as a chaplain for the Manheim Township Police Department.

Stedman says, "it's a complete betrayal of the community & of these children."

There could be more victims. Officers found pictures of Spangler with other young boys on his computer and camera. They fear those youngsters may have experienced the same type of abuse.

Stedman says, "parents need to be concerned and really know where your children are and who they're with and be careful because predators like this are out there."

Police reiterate Spangler is innocent until proven guilty. Still, they are asking all parents, whose children may have had contact with Spangler to talk to them about his behavior.

At this point, Spangler is free on one hundred thousand dollars bail.

 
 

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