Former Pembroke Priest Found Guilty of Child Abuse

Savannah Morning News
September 23, 2013

http://savannahnow.com/bryan-county-now/2013-09-23/former-pembroke-priest-found-guilty-child-abuse#.UkFs9Ia-2Sp

Robert Poandl

A Catholic priest, Fr. Robert “Bob” Poandl, who worked in Pembroke and six other Georgia towns was found guilty of criminal child sex abuse last week in U.S. Federal Court in Cincinnati.

Poandl was found guilty of federal child sex charges that he transported a 10-year Cincinnati old boy to Spencer, W.V. in Aug. 1991 where he sexually assaulted the child.

In Georgia the priest worked in Blairsville, Dahlonga, Cleveland, Glenville, Claxton and Sand Hill as well as Pembroke.

Poandl belongs to a Fairfield Ohio-based Catholic religious order called the Glenmary Missioners. Besides Georgia, he worked at churches and church assignments in Ohio, Okla., Pa., Texas, Ky., La. and Miss.

Poanadl is expected to be sentenced later this year.

“We believe there are more victims of Poandl and it’s never too late to share what you know or suspect with law enforcement officials,” said Judy Jones of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “Poandl will be sentenced in approximately two months, so it is important for anyone who may have information to come forward so that he receives the appropriate sentence.”