New Details in Sex Abuse Case against Former Bluefield Church Worker

By Gil McClanahan
WVVA
December 14, 2013

http://www.wvva.com/story/24215410/2013/12/13/new-developments-in-former-bluefield-church-youth-worker-case

[with video]

A former youth volunteer at a Bluefield, West Virginia church charged with child sex abuse is free on bond.

The attorney for 55-year old Timothy Probert of Bluefield says they plan to try and get evidence of the alleged abuse suppressed under the "Priest Penitent Privilege" law in West Virginia.

That law states whatever you tell your pastor is in confidence and cannot be used against you, and attorney William Flanigan tells us that will be a major part of their defense.

According to the criminal complaint, Probert told Pastor Jonathan Rockness and two elders at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bluefield, West Virginia that he had abused several teenage boys at his house and on mission trips.

Probert is facing more than three dozen charges for sex crimes against children.

According to the 23-page complaint, the alleged offenses took place between the years of 1986-2010 and involved at least eight boys.

The complaint states that many of the alleged offenses occurred at Probert's home. In several instances, the victims would visit Probert's Parkway Avenue home, be given alcoholic drinks and shown pornographic materials.

The victims said their parents knew and trusted Probert and would allow them to stay overnight at his home.

The complaints allege wrongdoing ranging from inappropriate touching to the performance of sexual acts.

At least three of the victims stated that they were matched with Probert through a local mentoring program.

One victim stated that he told his mother what was happening and she made a complaint to that program. That complaint was filed in August 1999.