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Former employee of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School charged with institutional sexual assault

Office of the Attorney General
July 26, 2016

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/Media_and_Resources/Press_Releases/Press_Release/?pid=2635

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane's office today announced criminal charges have been filed against a former employee of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School accused of the sexual assault of an international exchange student. 

John Bowman Thornberry, 28, is also charged with the attempted sexual assault of a second international exchange student.  

The alleged incidents occurred while Thornberry worked as a house parent in a residence hall for students of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, located in Ebensburg, Cambria County. The school is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. 

"This is a disturbing case of a trusted school official violating the very students he was obligated to watch over and care for," Attorney General Kane said. "It is unacceptable for anyone to harm a child."  

Thornberry's arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Ebensburg Police Department. The investigation began after an administrator from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School contacted authorities to report the allegations involving Thornberry. 

According to a criminal complaint filed in support of the charges, as a house parent Thornberry was tasked with assisting students with homework assignments and transportation. He was also responsible for accounting for students' whereabouts when they were outside the classroom.  

The alleged sexual assault and the alleged attempted sexual assault occurred between December 2014 and February 2016. The alleged incidents occurred in the school residence hall where the student victims were living, investigators stated in a criminal complaint.  

The Office of Attorney General assumed jurisdiction of the case following a referral from Cambria County District Attorney Kelly Callihan.  

The Office of Attorney General has investigated other incidents of child sexual abuse involving individuals associated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The 37th statewide investigating grand jury in March released a report that detailed the sexual abuse that hundreds of victims endured at the hands of priests and other religious leaders associated with the diocese. The abuse occurred over a period of at least 40 years.  

Thornberry, of Mills Rivers, N.C., is charged with one count each of institutional sexual assault, criminal attempted sexual assault, attempted indecent assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of a child. Thornberry is awaiting a preliminary arraignment. 

Attorney General Kane thanked the Ebensburg Police Department for its work on this investigation. 

The case will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Daniel J. Dye of the Office of Attorney General's Criminal Prosecutions Section.  

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Office of Attorney General at 888-538-8541.




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