BishopAccountability.org
	Priest, 7 Others Charged in Prostitution Sting WMUR April 13, 2010 http://www.wmur.com/newsarchive/23138469/detail.html Police List Ad For Sex On Internet NASHUA, N.H. -- Eight men, including a priest, were arrested in a prostitution sting at a Nashua hotel Friday, police said. Nashua police said the men responded to a post on Craigslist advertising the sexual services of an adult woman for money. Police created the post as part of the sting. The eight men were charged with one count of prostitution. "A hotel was picked within the city, we set up surveillance within to monitor what was going on, and when men showed up and actually paid for the services, that's a violation, a misdemeanor, for prostitution," Nashua police Capt. Scott Howe said. Police identified one of the men arrested as the Rev. William Ventura Jr., 31, of Chelmsford, Mass. He was charged with soliciting prostitution. The Archdiocese of Boston said Ventura took a leave of absence and was restricted from public ministry after his arrest. Ventura had been serving as parochial vicar of St. John's Parish in Chelmsford. Catholics in Chelmsford described Ventura in glowing terms and were crestfallen to learn of his arrest. Reached for comment, Ventura's father, William Ventura Sr., said his son made a "stupid mistake" and that the family stands behind him "1,000 percent." Ventura, a 1997 graduate of Pinkerton Academy, also served as a chaplain at Thomas More College. Students familiar with him seemed taken aback by news of his arrest. They were deeply concerned, but did not want to make any statement. WMUR News 9 attempted to reach Thomas More administration for comment but was unsuccessful. Also arrested were Michael Pope, 34, of Nashua; Robert Ricker, 62, of Manchester, N.H.; Mark Tharp, 58, of Manchester; James Dippner, 36, of Cherry Hill, N.J.; John Costa, 35, of Manchester; Jeffrey Isaac, 18, of Nashua; and Thomas Clark, 36, of Nashua. Each of the men was released on bail. Ventura was scheduled to be arraigned on April 22, while the others were scheduled for arraignment on April 23.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.