Evans Was Priest at Spirit of Christ Parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
TheDenverChannel.com
August 29, 2006
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/9757009/detail.html
Denver -- A grand jury has indicted a former Catholic priest for allegedly sexually assaulting a boy who was looking to him for guidance, the Jefferson County district attorney said Tuesday.
Timothy Joseph Evans, 43, will face a charge of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. The indictment alleges that between 1995 and 1997 Evans sexually assaulted a 16-year-old boy. Evans was a priest during this time and was assigned to the Spirit of Christ Parish in Arvada as a parochial vicar.
According to the indictment, the teen was questioning his religious beliefs and as part of his research, checked out a book from a local library on the satanic bible. The teen's father, who was active in church, found the book in his backpack and suggested that he meet with Evans.
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| Timothy Joseph Evans faces a charge sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. |
The teen met with Evans for guidance and counseling and during the meeting, Evans allegedly suggested that he lie on the floor. The teen, who said he was wearing a T-shirt and shorts at the time, told investigators that Evans began touching him and rubbing his chest. Evans commented that the teen had a "barrell chest," and rubbed his chest, arms, thighs and calves, the indictment alleges.
The boy alleges that Evans rubbed up his leg and ultimately touched his scrotum, which made the teen feel "flush" and made him jump because he was "scared," the indictment said.
That victim is now 27 years old and doesn't remember the exact day when the incident occurred but said it was between May 1995 and May 1997.
Evans is a resident of Loveland and turned himself into the Loveland Police Department on Monday. He posted $25,000 bond and his first court appearance will be Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. in the Jefferson County District Court.
Evans is facing similar charges in Fort Collins, where he served as a priest of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish from 1998 to 2002. He worked at Spirit of Christ Parish from June 1993 to June 1996.
One alleged victim told police that the diocese moved Evans from the Arvada church to the Fort Collins church "due to an incident where Father Timothy Evans inappropriately touched a juvenile male."
But the Archdiocese disputes the claim.
"The Archdiocese of Denver does not and will not transfer any member of the clergy who has been the object of a credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor. Any such allegation results in prompt reporting of the allegation to police, and prompt removal of the accused from ministry," Monsignor Thomas Fryar said in a statement released in March.
"In the case at hand, contrary to the affidavit, the Archdiocese of Denver never transferred Father Evans between parishes with the knowledge of any allegation against him of sexual misconduct. Again, the Archdiocese of Denver follows the requirements of state law and its own conduct policies rigorously and will continue to do so. The archdiocese has no priest or deacon in active ministry with a credible claim against him or in his background. We expect and pray that the legal process will move forward regarding Father Evans in a manner that will respect the rights and assure justice for all parties."
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