Former Pastor Facing Child Sex Charges

By Brittany Linenberg
Lacrosse Tribune
January 31, 2012

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/former-pastor-facing-child-sex-charges/article_eb286376-4bcf-11e1-afa6-001871e3ce6c.html

TOMAH - Police have accused a former pastor of repeatedly sexually assaulting a child.

Michael L. Delaney, 64, of Tomah, was arrested Friday.

Authorities say he targeted the same victim over an extended period while he was employed as an over-the-road trucker, according to a statement released by the Tomah Police Department.

It wasn't immediately clear where Delaney was a pastor, but police confirmed the alleged assaults occurred while he was a practicing minister. They said he is no longer a pastor.

Police said the abuse happened in Monroe County and various locations throughout the country.

He faces charges of sexual assault of a child, repeated acts of sexual assault of the same child and child enticement.

Tomah Police Department Admin-istrative Assistant Rhonda Culpitt said the department is "still gathering more information and interviewing more people" about the case.

Tomah Investigator Robert Walensky said Delaney has a conviction on a child molesting charge in Arizona from the 1980s. Delaney appeared Monday in Monroe County Circuit Court for a bond hearing and is being held in the Monroe County Jail.

Delaney has an initial appearance in Monroe County Circuit Court Monday, when the Monroe County District Attorney's office will likely file a criminal complaint.