Judge Rejects Shock Probation for Molester

By Matthew Glowicki
The Courier-Journal
December 19, 2014

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2014/12/19/judge-rejects-shock-probation-molester/20641853/

James Schook

A judge has denied the request of convicted child molester Rev. James Schook to be released from prison after serving six months of a 15-year sentence.

Schook, 67, was found guilty in April of molesting a 13-year-old altar boy in the 1970s. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison on three counts of sodomy and one count of indecent and immoral practices.

Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Mitch Perry denied the motion for shock probation ahead of a hearing scheduled for Friday.

"The Defendant shall remain in custody to serve out his sentence in accordance with the law," Perry wrote in the order denying Schook's request.

Schook, who is dying of cancer, filed a request for shock probation in October. Shock probation allows offenders to be released from prison after serving one to six months of their sentence.

"Mr. Schook now realizes the importance of obeying and conforming to the community's rules," defense attorney David Lambertus wrote in the motion.

Schook will remain in the Kentucky State Reformatory in Oldham County, which has a medical facility capable of caring for terminally ill inmates.

If he serves his full sentence, Schook will be released in April 2029, though he is eligible for probation in April 2016 and could be out by May 2025 with good time credits, according to Kentucky Department of Corrections online records.

"Fr. James Schook needs to stay locked up," wrote Barbara Dorris of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests in a statement. "Keeping him behind bars is the best way to protect kids."

Prosecutor John Balliet and defense attorney Lambertus did not respond to requests for comment.

In 2011, prosecutors released Schook's archdiocese personnel file, which revealed he'd admitted to being a sex addict, though administrators believed he was involved with men rather than boys.

Schook was ordained in 1975. He was temporarily removed from active ministry when allegations surfaced in 2009 and then permanently removed the following year when the archdiocese determined the allegations credible.

The Archdiocese of Louisville sent a report about Schook's case to Pope Francis, as is required of all sex abuse cases involving clergy, said archdiocese spokeswoman Cecelia Price in a statement.

Francis determined due to Schook's age and health, Schook cannot publicly identify as a priest, wear priest vestments, lead Mass and preform sacraments, Price said, thus remaining "under the restrictions of leading a life of prayer and penance."

Reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at (502) 582-4989. Follow him on Twitter at @MattGlo.