Sly Pastor Fox Admits Guilt in Foster Child Sex Abuse

By Conrad Baker
Genesee Sun
November 26, 2014

http://www.geneseesun.com/2014/11/26/sly-fox-foster-parent-sex-5-year-old/

Photo by Josh Williams

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — It’s the end of the line for Pastor Alan Fox, 60, who has delayed and ducked charges that he molested his foster child, now that he has finally admitted to his guilt in court.

Fox pled guilty in a special-term court appearance on Wednesday to touching his five-year-old foster daughter’s private parts in Sparta more than a year ago. The pastor, who also moonlights as a member of the Christian Music Group, Band of Brothers, is now looking at one and a half years in state prison after pleading guilty to Attempted Sex Abuse in the 1st degree, an E Felony. The sly Fox even continued his deception as he unsuccessfully tried to dodge reporters by slipping out the back door of the courthouse.

The case has been very quiet until now, with a lot of odd proceedings and hush-hush adjournments surrounding his court appearances. However, the prosecutor in this case, Justin Hill, brought many of the disturbing details of this case to light.

“Mr. Fox was a foster parent to the victim and her brother,” said Hill. “They (Fox and the child) were out for a weekend looking at the stars, and he asked if she would touch his private area, which she did. He also touched her private area. She was five years old at the time.”

Hill said that the incident was reported within 48 hours, and that the victim, now six years old, cannot even bring herself to talk about the incident in private, one-on-one meetings. However, he added that she is now living with another family, and according to her counselors is doing very well. According to news partner 13WHAM, a second foster child, the victims brother was also removed from the home.

Fox, along with his wife Cathy, have been raising foster children for 30 years. Hill said that the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office has thoroughly investigated all children that have moved through the Foxs’ home, and that they found no other cases of sex abuse.

There have been a lot of questions surrounding Fox’s prolonged court processing. However, Hill added that all adjournments were filed by the defense in this matter, and that at all times the District Attorney’s Office was ready for trial.

As a Methodist pastor, as well as a songwriter and vocalist for the Christian folk group Band of Brothers, which was reviewed by christianmusic.com, he clearly has strong ties to community in the southern part of Livingston County.

“I have discovered as I have matured, that if my general path is healthy, whatever musical direction I go to is fine to follow,” said Fox to christianmusic.com. “I believe if you are in God’s Will, nothing is wrong.”

The site says that Fox  is known for his “delightfully manic stage presence.” and composes the band’s most quiet and reflective songs, including “Whisper,” “True Friends”, and “The Palm Of Your Hand”.
 
Music Influenced by Bruce Cockburn and James Taylor. Bruce Cockburn inspires Alan with his off-beat approach.

Fox carried a book with him in court, Blink, which according to a review by Amazon.com is a book about how we think without thinking, and about choices that seem to be made in an instant, in the blink of an eye, that actually aren’t as simple as they seem. Amazon says that the book explores “the reasons why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept.”

Fox stood quietly at the defense table during his plea and colloquy, leaning with his hand on the back of the defendant’s chair. Through his thick black glasses, he watched as the court discussed his sentencing, scheduled for January 29 of next year.

It was made abundantly clear that due to alleged statements by the defendant and others, it is possible that Fox may be found to be a level three, or maximum risk, sex offender upon his release from prison.

“There are many reports and statements that still need to be taken into account,” said County Judge Dennis Cohen. “But there are some disturbing facts and details about this case.”