The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
SNAP
Press Release
Giving Voice to Victims
| For immediate release: Saturday, July 5, 2008 |
Clergy sex abuse survivors to flier Milwaukee south side church
Brother David Nickerson confessed to felony child abuse of altar boy at St. Vincent’s Parish
Arrested in church operated offender compound in Missouri, held over for trial in Milwaukee
WHAT
Brother David Nickerson, a Roman Catholic religious order cleric confessed to Milwaukee police that he had committed felony sexual crimes in the late 1980’s against a 9 year old altar boy from St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Victims of clergy sexual abuse will flier congregants of St. Vincent’s after services to reach out to other possible victims and ask parishioners to come forward with any information about Nickerson to authorities.WHEN
Sunday, July 6, flyering to begin approximately 9:15 a.m.
WHERE
Saint Vincent De Paul Parish, 2114 West Mitchell Street, MilwaukeeWHO
Milwaukee leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, the nation’s oldest and largest self help organization of those targeted as children by clergy pedophiles and sex offenders.
WHAT
On Wednesday of last week, Brother David Nickerson, who belongs to a Catholic religious order called the “Brothers of the Good Shepherd” appeared in Milwaukee county court for a preliminary hearing stemming from a confession he made earlier this year to Milwaukee County authorities that he had repeatedly sexually assaulted a nine year old altar boy from St. Vincent’s Parish during the late 1980’s. The judge determined that there was enough evidence that felony crimes were committed and Nickerson will be tried in Milwaukee County.
Nickerson was arrested by Milwaukee police at a controversial church operated treatment compound for clergy sex offenders called the “Wounded Brothers Project” in Missouri. He is the third cleric arrested at the compound with ties to Wisconsin, including Fr. Bruce MacArthur. A week ago Friday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that sex offenders who flee the state, like Nickerson, can be brought back for prosecution, if the criminal statute on their crime had not expired before they left the state of Wisconsin. Nickerson is the 16th cleric prosecuted under this provision in state criminal law, including a Methodist minister scheduled for trial this month in Barron County who had fled to Florida, Rev. Angel Toro.
SNAP leaders sent a letter to Archbishop Dolan with the arrest of Nickerson, urging him and all state bishops to turn over information concerning all transfers of priests, religious or church employees who left Wisconsin after being caught sexually abusing children.
After being transferred out of Wisconsin, Nickerson worked in church ministries several states and Canada.
CONTACT
John Pilmaier, SNAP Milwaukee, 414.336.8575
Mike Sneesby, SNAP Milwaukee, 414.915.4374
Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest Director, 414.429.7259
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
www.snapnetwork.org