Me - SNAP Blasts Sheriff Who Warned Predator about Investigation

By Robert Gossart
SNAP
August 7, 2012

http://www.snapnetwork.org/me_snap_blasts_sheriff_who_warned_predator_about_investigation

Penobscot County Sheriff Glen Ross put his friendship with Fr. Robert Carlson, an admitted child predator, over the needs of victims by warning him of an ongoing investigation.

“I did it not to warn him, but to prevent his access into the jail," Ross said. "You cannot fault somebody for trying to make sure they've protected their inmates and their agencies. That's my job as a sheriff."

“It boggles the mind that Ross would try to claim he was putting the safety of adult prisoners over the safety of innocent children” said Robert Gossart, SNAP Maine leader. After getting the sheriff's warning, who knows how many victims Carlson may have intimidated, how many witnesses he might have threatened, how many whistleblowers he may have discredited, how much evidence he may have destroyed?

Carlson took his own life after being warned by Ross. SNAP hopes that Bishop Richard Malone will use his considerable resources, diocesan newspaper, website, church bulletins and pulpits, to reach out to anyone who may have been hurt by Carlson.

SNAP believes Ross should resign for the using his position to warn a predator about an ongoing investigation. “No victim of child sexual abuse will feel safe reporting crimes to this man” said David Clohessy, Executive Director of SNAP. “he has destroyed his credibility and can no longer function as a law enforcement officer.”