Fr. Kenneth Lewis

Ordained: 1991
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Tulsa OK

Accused in 2002 of abusing several boys in the mid-1990s. Had been sent to St. Luke Institute in MD for treatment in 1994, then reassigned by Bishop Slattery. Up to six alleged victims had come forward; not removed until 2002. No charges due to the statute of limitations. In 2004, parents of a boy filed a police report in Tulsa alleging Lewis had molested their son at age 13 in 2001 during a trip to Chicago. Tulsa police referred case to Evanston IL police. Parents filed suit in 2007; settled in 2011. Laicization announced in 7/2007. Named in a second suit in 11/2009. Lewis had a Colorado address, but was in Ecuador beginning 7/2017. Detained by Homeland Security in Atlanta 5/9/2018. Taken to Chicago 5/18/2018; charged in Evanston with felony predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, related to the alleged abuse there of the Tulsa boy in 2001. Included on the diocese’s list 10/2/2019. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced in a plea deal in 6/2023 to seven years in prison.


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