Priest Arraigned on Sex Charges

By Cheryl R. Clarke
Sun-Gazette
June 21, 2012

http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/579827/Priest-arraigned-on-sex-charges.html?nav=5014

The Blossburg priest who was suspended last fall for allegedly sexually assaulting an altar boy was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge James Carlson.

Thomas P. Shoback, 60, of Wilkes-Barre, was charged with three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, two counts of indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors and indecent assault in connection with the alleged assaults against an altar boy at St. Mary's Parish Rectory several times between Feb. 20, 1991, and Feb. 20, 1997.

According to court documents, Shoback was the priest at St. Mary's and the victim, who now is 32, and his family were parishioners and friends with Shoback.

Police said the victim called the Diocese of Scranton last November to report that Shoback had been sexually abusing him from the time he was 11 or 12 years old.

, performing oral sex on him or having him perform sexual manipulation on Shoback. A few times he attempted to have anal sex with the victim.

The victim attended religious education and was involved in Catholic youth groups. He also worked at the church after school, doing odd jobs and cleaning the rectory, police said.

On Sundays he would help count the collection after Masses.

Shoback allegedly bought him gifts on a regular basis. He also would take him to the mall to shop, paying for everything, police said.

During the relationship, Shoback bought the victim a 90cc Honda four-wheeler all-terrain vehicle. When he became too big for the smaller vehicle, he upgraded it to a 300cc Honda ATV.

Shoback was released on $35,000 bail and his preliminary hearing set for 1:15 p.m. July 25.

Contact: cclarke@sungazette.com