PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania’s Attorney General announced child sex abuse charges against five men on Friday. The cases span the state and are unrelated but there is a common thread: All five defendants are Jehovah’s Witnesses who had the trust of the victims and their families often through their membership in the church.
“My office remains steadfast in its commitment to investigate, prosecute and hold accountable individuals who prey on children,” said Attorney General Michelle Henry at a press conference in Philadelphia.
The five cases bring the number of male Jehovah’s Witnesses members who have been charged by a grand jury since October in an ongoing investigation to 14.
Henry said many of the victims in the cases came forward after hearing about the previous arrests.
None of the cases are recent. Some are decades old.
“As a long-time child abuse prosecutor, I can tell you the trauma endures and for these survivors to have the courage and the willingness to pursue justice is truly brave and remarkable,” Henry said.
She gave brief descriptions of the cases:
- David Balosa, 62, of Philadelphia is alleged to have sexually assaulted a four-year-old when he was 35 and staying with the victim’s family, having recently immigrated to the U.S. Charges include indecent assault and corruption of minors. He has not yet been arrested. He did not return a call seeking comment.
- Errol William Hall, 50, of Aldan, Delaware County was an elder in a congregation, which helped him gain the trust of parents. He is alleged to have inappropriately touched a then-16-year-old. He has been arraigned and is free on bail. He did not return a call seeking comment and no attorney is listed in his case.
- Shaun Sheffer, 45, of Butler County allegedly sexually assaulted a younger family member. Charges against him include rape. His attorney, Benjamin Steinberg, said Sheffer “adamantly denies the charges and intends to vigorously defend against them.”
- Terry Booth, 57, of Panama City Florida mentored a teenager he knew through his congregation when he lived in Allegheny County. Henry says he “groomed” the boy and eventually touched him inappropriately. He awaits extradition to Pennsylvania.
- Luis Manuel Ayala-Velasquez, 55, of Reading is charged with the rape and aggravated indecent assault of a young family member by sneaking into her bedroom at night while she was sleeping. He could not be reached for comment.
The comparison to decades of child abuse in the catholic church is inescapable but Henry declined to say whether any of the victims had previously reported the abuse or whether there were any reports that had been covered up.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses U.S. branch emailed a statement saying it was not permitted to comment on specific grand jury investigations but added, “The news of someone being sexually abused, whether a child or an adult, sickens us. Child sexual abuse in particular is a twisted act of evil. That is why, for decades, Jehovah’s Witnesses have gone to great lengths to educate and warn parents through our publications, meetings, and website about how to protect their children in a variety of circumstances. We also are quick to support and offer pastoral care to those affected, while working to ensure that unrepentant perpetrators are removed from the congregation. Anyone who has been victimized has the full support of the congregation to report the matter to the authorities.”
Henry also urged victims to come forward, saying there are likely more out there “if history is any guide.” The Attorney General’s hotline is 888-538-8541.
Editor’s update, March 28, 2024
In March 2024, a jury hung during a trial against David Balosa after several days of trial. Prosecutors will retry the case in September.