Seattle Sexual Assault Detectives Ask Victims of Local Pastor to Come Forward

By Jim Forman
King 5
May 17, 2012

http://www.king5.com/news/Seattle-Police-think-there-are-more-sexual-abuse-victims-of-pastor-151816455.html

[with video]

When Timothy Dampier first went before a judge a year ago, he was accused of sex crimes against three boys - adding three counts to the original five counts.

Over the course of the last 12 months, police say, the number of his alleged victims has exploded exponentially.

On Wednesday, prosecutors filed an amended case against Dampier.

The man friends called "the Bishop" was a popular pastor, musician, group home counselor and licensed foster parent who was last working at the Boys and Girls Club in Bellevue

He is now believed to have left behind a trail of at least 10 very young victims, and the officers who put Dampier behind bars in the first place think there are more victims who have not come forward.

Dampier was an imposing figure in the pulpit and the community. Prosecutors fear some potential victims simply are too afraid to come forward. Others may feel unnecessary shame, but police and prosecutors both say they deserve justice, and help dealing with the sexual trauma. They just need to come forward.

Anyone who was victimized by the suspect, had interactions with the suspect that they suspect were criminal in nature, or who knows anyone that may be a victim is asked to call the Seattle Police Sexual Assault Unit at (206) 684-5575. Anonymous tips are welcome.