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	Retired Episcopalian Priest Charged with Sex Abuse By Julie Sidoni WNEP February 5, 2010 http://www.wnep.com/news/countybycounty/wnep-susq-ralph-johnson-episcopalian-priest-charge,0,6402094.story PENNSYLVANIA -- A retired Episcopalian priest from Susquehanna County was arrested Friday, charged with molesting a boy while serving at a church in the 1990s. The suspect is now 82 years old. Police said it was the victim himself who called them to say he had repeated sexual contact with Father Ralph Johnson in the 1990s. The priest is charged with 15 counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault and corruption of minors. Ralph Elwood Johnson was brought to state police barracks near Gibson Friday after facing a list of sexual assault charges. Troopers said Father Johnson is accused of having sexual contact with a male victim when he was between 11 and 15 years old, beginning in 1992 and continuing until 1995. That victim, who is from New York state, is now 29 years old and recently called police to report the alleged abuse. Father Johnson is being charged in Pennsylvania because police said the sexual contact happened at the reverend's home in Gibson Township. They said at the time of the alleged incidents, Johnson was stationed at a church in Afton, New York, not far from Binghamton. "I'm really surprised, I really am. This is the first I've heard of anything like this," said Rudy Testa of Gibson Township. He lives across the street from Father Johnson. He doesn't know him well but called him a decent neighbor. "You don't know for sure who lives next to you. What people do behind closed doors. You don't know for sure, know what I mean?" Testa added. Investigators said they are not sure if there are any other victims out there. Father Ralph Johnson is out on bail. His next court date is later this month in Susquehanna County.
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