Jehovah's Witness Elder Arrested for Sexual Abuse

The Westmoreland Times
December 10, 2013

http://westmorelandtimes.com/news/10640/12/10/04/jehovahs-witness-elder-arrested-for-sexual-abuse/


A man serving as a Jehovah’s Witness elder minister in Oklahoma was arrested on 19 counts of sexual abuse, according to authorities. Authorities said they had received numerous reports of other children being molested by Ronald Lawrence, 76 years of age, from more than 30 years ago.

It is believed, according to Lawrence’s arrest warrant, the Kingdom Hall church where Lawrence was an elder, chose not to inform law enforcement of the abuse. Authorities said that if the Jehovah’s Witness church withheld information from authorities that they too could face criminal charges.

There is evidence the Jehovah’s Witness organization was aware of a problem that took place back in 2005, yet he continued to serve as a clergyman for the sect.

The arrest took place in late November.