PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Five men from a religious organization located in western and central Pennsylvania have been charged with the sexual assault and exploitation of children.
Acting Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said all child sex abuse cases are “disturbing and sad,” but “this one cuts deeper.”
“In this case, all of the defendants and all of the victims come from the same religious organization, the Jehovah’s Witnesses,” she said. “Some of these defendants even used their faith communities to prey upon the victims. Others had to look no further than their own families.”
Charges were filed against 65-year-old Marc Brown of Allegheny County; 74-year-old Raymond Shultz of Beaver County; 51-year-old Kevin Isovitsch of Butler County; and 42-year-old Abimael Valentin-Matos and 44-year-old Norman Aviles, both of Lancaster County.
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As an elder in his congregation, Aviles gained parents’ trust, Henry said. He is accused of molesting at least three children between the ages of 5 and 10.
Shultz is accused of molesting his own granddaughters when they were between the ages of 5 and 10.
The Attorney General’s Office said Valentin-Matos sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl who he was “courting” to marry, even though he is more than twice her age.
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The charges are the result of an investigative grand jury. The grand jury looked into allegations that came to light after the Attorney General’s Office announced charges against four other members of the Jehovah’s Witness organization last year.
Henry thanked the survivors for having the courage to come forward.
When asked if there was any evidence the organization may have been involved in a cover-up, Henry only said that the “investigation is ongoing.”