GAITHERSBURG, Maryland, USA -- A former Montgomery County megachurch leader was convicted Thursday of sexually abusing a young boy from his congregation during the 1980s.
Nathaniel "Nate" Morales, 56, of Las Vegas, Nev., was found guilty on three counts of sexual abuse of a minor and two more counts of sexual offense in the second degree, officials said.
Morales was accused of abusing three boys from 1983-1991, preying on the young members of the Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg at group sleepovers and in their homes.
The youngest victim was 11, and the abuse continued until he turned 18, officials said. The abuse was not reported until 2009, when a detective was informed, despite awareness of the abuse among the church leaders.
Two hours after the verdict, victim Jeremy Cook was ecstatic:
"I started crying. It was just, it was overwhelming to know that the struggle, the fight, the 25 years of trying to bring this forward, was worth it."
But Pam Palmer, whose daughter was reportedly molested by a teen church member back in the 1990’s, says Covenant Life Church is also to blame.
Palmer claims that the church’s pastoral team tried covering it up:
"How can you walk away from innocent children being abused and do nothing?" And call yourself a Christian? Where is the fear of God?
In fact, during Morales’ trial this week, public defender Alan Drew asked Pastor Grant Layman: “Did you have an obligation to report the alleged abuse?”
Layman replied: “I believe so.”
Drew fired back: “And you didn’t?”
Layman answered: “No…we didn’t know.”
State’s Attorney John McCarthy says that his office cannot prosecute anyone unless crimes are reported – but that perhaps this is no longer the most effective method:
"I think we've come to realize that's not the right way to deal with these matters..."
Cook adds: "Certainly I think there are people in Covenant Life Church that have a bit to answer for. They left this predator on the street when they had knowledge, and ultimately they'll have to answer to that, whether it be to the courts, or whether it be to God." Exactly! Why can't the 'leaders' of the church see that? It would appear that megachurches, like many Catholic churches, are more protective of their reputation than their congregants. This will not sit well with God!
"Sexually abusing boys who trust you because of your prominence in your faith community is unforgivable," said Ramon Korionoff, spokesman for the state attorney's office.
"These grown men have shown a lot of courage to come forward in reporting these incidents of sexual abuse during their childhoods. It lets other victims of abuse in our community know that they can come forward and justice will be served."
Morales faces up to 85 years in prison and will be sentenced on Aug. 14.
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| Morales or is it Moralless |
Morales was accused of abusing three boys from 1983-1991, preying on the young members of the Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg at group sleepovers and in their homes.
The youngest victim was 11, and the abuse continued until he turned 18, officials said. The abuse was not reported until 2009, when a detective was informed, despite awareness of the abuse among the church leaders.
"I started crying. It was just, it was overwhelming to know that the struggle, the fight, the 25 years of trying to bring this forward, was worth it."
But Pam Palmer, whose daughter was reportedly molested by a teen church member back in the 1990’s, says Covenant Life Church is also to blame.
Palmer claims that the church’s pastoral team tried covering it up:
"How can you walk away from innocent children being abused and do nothing?" And call yourself a Christian? Where is the fear of God?
In fact, during Morales’ trial this week, public defender Alan Drew asked Pastor Grant Layman: “Did you have an obligation to report the alleged abuse?”
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| Covenant Life Church |
Drew fired back: “And you didn’t?”
Layman answered: “No…we didn’t know.”
State’s Attorney John McCarthy says that his office cannot prosecute anyone unless crimes are reported – but that perhaps this is no longer the most effective method:
"I think we've come to realize that's not the right way to deal with these matters..."
Cook adds: "Certainly I think there are people in Covenant Life Church that have a bit to answer for. They left this predator on the street when they had knowledge, and ultimately they'll have to answer to that, whether it be to the courts, or whether it be to God." Exactly! Why can't the 'leaders' of the church see that? It would appear that megachurches, like many Catholic churches, are more protective of their reputation than their congregants. This will not sit well with God!
"Sexually abusing boys who trust you because of your prominence in your faith community is unforgivable," said Ramon Korionoff, spokesman for the state attorney's office.
"These grown men have shown a lot of courage to come forward in reporting these incidents of sexual abuse during their childhoods. It lets other victims of abuse in our community know that they can come forward and justice will be served."
Morales faces up to 85 years in prison and will be sentenced on Aug. 14.
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