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| Convicted Molester Works at Tucson Church
SNAP
November 7, 2013
http://www.snapnetwork.org/az_convicted_molester_works_at_tucson_church
Holding signs and childhood photos, child sex abuse victims and their supporters will pass out leaflets at a Tucson church where a convicted sex offender now works. The leaflets will warn church members about the music minister, who pled guilty in 2000 to two counts of child molestation, and urge them to
--demand his immediate removal, and
--talk to their kids about the sex offender.
When:
Sunday, November 10 at 11:15 a.m.
Where:
Outside of Dove of Peace Lutheran Church, 665 W. Roller Coaster Rd (at Oracle) in Tucson
Who:
Members and supporters of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, (SNAPNetwork.org) the nation's largest support network for men and women abused in religious and institutional settings, including a California woman who is the group's volunteer Western Regional Director
Why:
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Because Holtan is a child sex offender still on probation, SNAP believes his employment is a clear violation of the child protection policies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). The group also fears for children at many of the churches where the Tucson Chamber Artists perform and that donors and the state may have been "duped" about Holtan's past.
The Dove of Peace website shows photos of children engaged in music performance. As "minister of music, art and ministry" at the church, SNAP fears that he is working directly with these children.
In addition, Tucson Chamber Artists receives money from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Tucson Pima Arts Council, among other groups and individuals. SNAP believes the groups have no idea that Holtan is a convicted sex offender.
"How did Eric Holtan pass a background check?" said Joelle Casteix, SNAP Volunteer Western Regional Director. "We don't know how Holtan got his job or what he told his donors. We do know that he must be in violation of his probation, is breaking the policies of the ELCA, and is definitely duping the people of Tucson about the serious danger he poses. He apparently is a charismatic guy, which is a common trait of sex offenders. The public needs to know the facts: he molested girls, he pled guilty, and now he is in possible violation of his probation. What else is he lying about?"
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Contact:
Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach CA, SNAP Volunteer Western Regional Director, (949) 322-7434, jcasteix@gmail.com
David Clohessy of St. Louis, MO, SNAP Executive Director, (314) 566-9790, snapclohessy@aol.com
Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, MO, SNAP Outreach Director, (315) 503-0003, snapdorris@gmail.com
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