By Bridgette P. Lavictoire
Lez Get Real
November 16, 2011
lezgetreal.com/2011/11/maine-pastor-carlson-kills-self-ahead-of-pedophilia-investigation/
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[with video]
When Reverend Robert Carlson jumped from the Penobscot Narrows Bridge this past Sunday, he left a lot of questions behind. Former Penobscot County Sheriff Timothy Richardson has come forward saying that he questioned the activities and actions of Carlson back in the 1970′s. Richardson was hired as a deputy sheriff back in the early 1970′s and was sheriff from 1980 to 1984.
It is a sad story of missed opportunities. Back in the 1970′s, Richardson has said that Carlson "would come into the control room [at the Penobscot County Jail] with young boys at 2, 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning. It was very uncomfortable. It was just a very odd situation."
The then part-time deputy reported his concerns to then-Sheriff Otis N. LaBree and Penobscot County District Attorney David M. Cox. Cox would go on to be a judge. Richardson stated that "They were concerned but they didn't take it anywhere. They didn't want to take it anywhere. Back then they [religious leaders] were above suspicion of child abuse. Later on, we all learned they are one of the biggest perpetrators of that type of crime."
LaBree and Cox have since passed away, and Richardson is unsure if any other deputies or jail officials ever voiced concerns about this. Richardson also stated that "When I became sheriff I told him it was about time for him to move on. In the '80s, that is when I spoke to Carlson and we parted ways."
This is not the end of the case, though. Last week, an unsigned letter was sent to Maine Governor Paul LePage, local Boy Scout Leaders and law enforcement. The letter, which was published on Tuesday, claims that Carlson "sexually abused a young boy several years ago". At the time, he was pastor at the East Orrington Congregational Church. The letter also asked for an investigation into the matter.
An investigation began last Thursday. Any crimes that Carlson may have committed prior to 1985 could not be prosecuted. Any crimes committed after that point could be. What is more, the statute of limitations for the sexual molestation of a child after 1991 was lifted entirely.
The state police began their investigation, and included in their questioning a Bowdoin woman and her family members. There was a case involving the woman's brother, who was 11 at the time, and Carlson. The case dated back to the 1970′s. Dawn Krog said on Monday that she and the other family members spoke to a Maine State Police detective about the case. Krog stated that "My brother came clean to the family" a couple of years before now. She described an ongoing sexual relationship between her brother and Carlson back when he was a boy.
Another woman, who is unidentified in the reports, said that Carlson put forth a caring public face, but "I know people will believe what they want, but we know the truth. This has brought all the pain to the forefront and once again it makes us feel helpless. Carlson was in law enforcement, he was a minister and he had everyone thinking he was the second coming of Christ."
Krog's brother was what caused Richardson to start questioning what Carlson was up to. Richardson stated that "I remember him distinctly. That is the one I went to LaBree about and the one I went to Cox about. I wished I hadn't been so young and innocent and a nonbeliever (in priestly child sex abuse) at that time."
Carlson was married to a woman named Elaine, and the two were honored last week at the Katihdin Area Council of Boy Scouts of America's 15th Annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner. That was actually mentioned in the anonymous letter that was received by various people on 10 November.
The letter claims that the boy that Carlson was alleged to have molested had grown, but that they were still having a secret relationship. A relative of Krog said that the woman's brother and Carlson had a relationship that continued until Carlson committed suicide. This admission and the death of Carlson is not halting the investigation. Stephen McCausland, the spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety stated that "We are keeping the investigation open. There may be other members of the public who want to talk. There may be victims who want to come forward and we are here to listen." There was another call regarding Carlson, but that call is not confirmed to have alleged abuse.
Church leaders at the East Orrington Congregational Church are planning to issue a statement regarding Carlson in the near future in order to address the concerns of churchgoers and the public. Reverend Carl Schreiber stated that"East Orrington Congregational Church members are saddened. We hurt and we have questions just like the rest of the community."
Carlson helped in the foundation of, and was president of Penobscot Community Health Care as well as helped to found Hope House, which is a shelter for people with drug and alcohol addictions. He was also the chaplain for Husson College, and served as chaplain for the Bangor and Brewer police and fire departments.
Richardson stated that "He did so much good but you can't exclude that. It isn't OK. It's the most horrible thing that could have happened."
As can be seen in the case of Jerry Sandusky or in any of the cases involving the Catholic Church, child predators are often people who do good, but often use their good to cover their own evils.
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