Youth minister arrested, charged with sexual offenses involving 16-year-old parishioner

By Tim Barber
ABC 7
September 7, 2016

http://wjla.com/news/local/youth-minister-arrested-charged-with-sexual-offenses-involving-16-year-old-parishioner

Brian Patrick Werth, 32, a former youth minister at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, was arrested and charged with sexual offenses involving a 16-year-old female parishioner.

ROCKVILLE, Md. (ABC7) — A youth minister in Rockville was arrested and charged with sexual offenses involving a minor on Wednesday morning and police in Montgomery County suspect there may be more victims.

According to police, Brian Patrick Werth, 32, allegedly had inappropriate sexual contact with a 16-year-old female parishioner during a youth event at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church on May 20.

Detectives were notified of the incident in late August by Child Protective Services and following interviews with the victim and her parents, they gathered evidence in order to issue a warrant for Werth's arrest in the last two weeks.

During the investigation, detectives discovered Werth had been sending graphic and sexually explicit text messages to the victim since summer 2014.

Werth was arrested at his home in Montgomery Village at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. He has been charged with one count of fourth-degree sexual offense, one count of sexual abuse of a minor and second-degree assault.

The Archdiocese of Washington released a statement regarding Werth's arrest, referring to him as a "former parish youth ministries director." They say his employment has been terminated:

"Recently, the pastor of St. Elizabeth’s parish in Rockville received a complaint regarding a case of alleged child sex abuse by Mr. Brian P. Werth, the parish’s youth minister. The pastor immediately contacted the Archdiocese of Washington’s Child and Youth Protection Office, which reported the case to Montgomery County law enforcement.

Additionally, in compliance with the Archdiocese of Washington’s Child Protection Policy, Mr. Werth was immediately suspended from his duties at the parish and school; his employment has since been terminated. After an investigation, law enforcement authorities charged Mr. Werth and he was arrested this morning.

Meetings have been scheduled with parish and school staff, and letters are being sent to the parish and school families to brief them on this matter. All have been asked that if anyone has relevant information regarding this matter to please contact the Montgomery County Department of Police Special Victims Investigation Division at 240-773-5400.

The Archdiocese of Washington takes seriously its responsibility to the children entrusted to its care. The Child Protection Policy of the Archdiocese of Washington mandates criminal background checks, applications and education for all employees and volunteers who work with young people. Mr. Werth had cleared the background check and accompanying requirements. The policy also mandates immediate reporting of suspected abuse to the authorities and an employee’s/volunteer’s immediate removal from work or ministry following a credible allegation. This requirement was also met in Mr. Werth’s case.

If at any time you become aware of improper conduct by a person involved in archdiocesan ministry, please contact the director of the archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection, Courtney Chase, at 301-853-5302."