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	Priest Indicted on Sex Charges By David Hedges The Times Record February 11, 2010 http://www.thetimesrecord.net/story10.shtml A Catholic priest from Cincinnati was indicted by a Roane grand jury last week on charges he molested a 10-year-old who traveled with him to Spencer almost 20 years ago. Robert F. Poandl, 68, is named in a three-count indictment charging him with 1st degree sexual assault, 1st degree sexual abuse and sexual abuse by a custodian. The charges stem from a complaint filed last year by a 28-year-old Cincinnati man who told State Police he was molested by Poandl in August 1991 at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church rectory. Sgt. D.B. Swiger of the State Police Crimes Against Children unit said the trip was to allow Poandl to fill in for the regular priest. “He came to Spencer to cover a mass for whoever was the assigned priest at that time,” Swiger said. “They were in Spencer essentially just for hours,” he said. “It was an overnight trip.” The charges allege Poandl had sexual intercourse with a 10-year-old under his temporary care. The grand jury finished a two-day session Wednesday afternoon, and Poandl appeared before Roane Circuit Judge David Nibert the following day for arraignment. He is slated to return Friday, Feb. 12 for a preliminary hearing. Poandl is part of the Glenmary Home Missioners, a religious society based in Cincinnati that serves rural communities. Glenmary supplied priests to the Spencer church from its formation in the late 1950s until 2003, when the church went from a mission to one served by priests from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. According to the Glenmary Web site, Poandl has served in various leadership roles and also as pastor of churches in Oklahoma, Texas and Mississippi since becoming a priest in 1968. Father Dan Dorsey, president of Glemnary, said he learned of the allegations last June. He said that is when Poandl was removed as pastor in Georgia and relocated to the headquarters in Cincinnati. “When we receive any allegations, until the matter is resolved they are taken out of active ministry,” he said. “Having any allegations against any of our members is a serious thing,” Dorsey said. “Even one allegation or one instance is one too many.” Dorsey said the alleged victim was not a member of the local church or community, but was someone that came with Poandl on his trip to Spencer. “My understanding is he was in Spencer filling in for the priest for a weekend,” he said. “This was somebody that accompanied him.” Dorsey said it would be up to the judicial system to determine the facts of the case. “It’s a very painful situation for everyone involved,” he said. “It’s my hope and prayer that God’s loving guidance will help all of those affected in this situation.” Spencer attorneys Anita Ashley and Dennis Curry represented Poandl at his arraignment last week. He was released on $15,000 bond set by Nibert while awaiting the preliminary hearing this week.
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