Tim Probert, Accused of Sex Abuse against Minors, Released on Bond

By Douglas Fritz, Jessie Gavin
WVNS
December 13, 2013

http://www.wvnstv.com/story/24206245/church-youth-minister-arrested-in-felony-abuse-investigation-tim-probert

[with video]

Tim Probert was arrested and charged Thursday with 38 counts of Felony Child Abuse.

He formerly served as a youth mentor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Mercer County. 59News was in court on Thursday during Probert's arraignment.

So far, about a dozen victims have come forward accusing the former church youth volunteer and mentor, Tim Probert, of sexual abuse.

The first documented case dates all the way back to 1986.

On Thursday, Probert was charged with 22 counts of Sex abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian, 6 counts of First Degree Sex Abuse, 7 counts of Third Degree Sex Assault, 2 counts of Use of a minor in sexually explicit content and 1 count of Distribution and display of obscene matter to a minor.

Sgt. Melissa Clemons told 59News because of Probert's arrest, the victim's can now begin to heal.

"Some of the victims had actually try to tell about the abuse years ago, nothing was done or taken seriously so for those had tried to tell years ago it gives them closure," Clemons said.

Clemons told us the investigation began when State Police was tipped off in October from the Pastor of Westminster who was made aware of the alleged abuse.

She said the victims who have come forward are males between the ages of 12 and 17. Sgt. Clemons also told us she believes there's many more victims and urges them to call the State Police.

Probert was released on a $100,000 bond. His preliminary hearing date will be set next week.

State Police arrested a man in Mercer County on Thursday, Dec. 12 on dozens of felony child abuse charges. The suspect was a volunteer at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Tim Probert was arrested and arraigned in front of a Mercer County magistrate on Thursday afternoon. He is facing 38 felony abuse charges. Those include 22 counts of Sex Abuse by a Parent, Guardian or Custodian. Six Counts of First Degree Sexual Abuse, Seven County of Third Degree Sexual Assault, Two Counts of Use of a Minor in Sexually Explicit Content and One Count of Distribution and Display of Obscene Matter to a Minor.

(Read more about the initial investigation)

The first case documented is from 1986, and around a dozen victims have come forward in the investigation which began earlier this year. Within minutes of the announcement regarding Probert's arrest, Rev. Jonathan Rockness, the Senior Pastor at the church, released the following statement:

"Westminster wants to thank the courageous survivors who have come forward. Their voices have carried light into darkness and have empowered others who face abuse. Quite simply, those who have come forward are heroes.

We continue to encourage anyone who has any information regarding any allegations of abuse by this individual to report such information to law enforcement.

Westminster is deeply grieved by this situation. We mourn with those who are impacted by this. We are also committed to a careful re-examination of all our child and youth safeguarding measures and policies. While we cannot control all things, we are committed to doing everything in our power to minimize the opportunities for the abuse of children and youth to occur within our environment.

We want the public to know that we have made every effort to uncover the truth. On top of conducting our own investigation, we went to the State Police not once, but twice, in order to request their assistance. We thank them for taking on this case and pursuing justice.

It our constant prayer that those who have been victimized may eventually find healing and hope. We are committed to expend ourselves in love and service to these precious individuals during this long and often difficult journey."

The church leaders made a point of saying that Probert was a volunteer at the church. None of the abuse happened on church property.