Church Volunteer Charged with Sexually Assaulting Boys in Calgary

By Jenna McMurray and Damien Wood
Calgary Sun
January 31, 2012

http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/01/31/church-volunteer-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-boys-in-calgary

Det. Stephen Johnston of the Calgary police child abuse unit speaks about charges laid against Russell Louis Rodman. The charges stem from allegations involving three boys stemming back to the 1980s and 90s.

Sex charges have been filed against a former Calgarian and church volunteer following allegations involving three boys in the 1980s and '90s.

Police launched an investigation in 2011 after word of the alleged incidents surfaced and the man turned himself in to Mounties, said Det. Stephen Johnston of the Calgary police child abuse unit, which took over the case.

"The allegations came to light within the (accused's) church and from that point, that sparked the accused to make himself available to the RCMP," he said.

"He provided information which led us to additional victims."

A pastor with the church said the accused was seeking help from the church in mid-August, resulting in the beginnings of the confession.

"It quickly became apparent we would need to take it to the authorities," said the pastor.

"He gave us details that concerned us and pointed us to sexual abuse, even though (he), at that time, wouldn't say it was sexual abuse."

Tuesday night, the accused's son told the Sun he believes his father "had blinded himself to the facts."

"He's certainly in a place now where he sees his sin — that it's wrong (and) it's a criminal act," said the accused's son.

Charges relate to three boys 11 to 14 at the time of the incidents, which police say happened at the accused's Calgary home between 1981 and 1995.

During much of that time he was involved in Calgary-based Baptist churches in a number of volunteer positions and leadership roles. While Johnston said the case is linked to the church, a court publication ban prevents police from providing more details.

As the accused enters the legal process, his son says it's discouraging and disappointing for his family.

"Once the legal process is taken care of there's still life to live," said the accused's son.

"Life has changed. I'm not going to have my kids stay at his house for a sleepover if I'm not there."

In the aftermath of the confession, the accused's pastor said they've been working with the authorities as well as counselling the accused.

"The ultimate thing here is getting to the truth," said the pastor.

Russell Louis Rodman, 58, currently of High River, made his first court appearance Friday.

He faces two counts of sexual assault and one count each of gross indecency, indecent exposure to a person under 14 and sexual contact with youth by a person in authority.