LOUISIANA
WDSU
BELLE CHASSE, La. —A 30-year-old man was extradited from Utah and brought to Plaquemines Parish to face child sex abuse charges in which authorities said the suspect’s family destroyed evidence in the case and a bishop “absolved him of his sins.”
According to a news release from the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office, 30-year-old Matthew Todd Wallis is accused of aggravated incest and oral sexual battery. The alleged crimes happened in 1999-2000 and involved at least one young girl when he lived in Belle Chasse, according to investigators.
The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office believes more victims are possible and are urging them to come forward.
The investigation began in May 2014 when a victim came forward, telling investigators that Wallis abused her at his home in the 100 block of Brentwood Drive when she was between 4 and 5 years old. …
Investigators learned that about the same time of the tape’s destruction, a second victim allegedly came forward and spoke with the bishop of Wallis’ church about the matter.
The church was identified by the Sheriff’s Office as The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints based in Harvey.
“It is believed that Wallis subsequently met and spoke with the bishop of the church about the alleged crimes and possibly ‘confessed his sins’ to the religious leader at the time,” the news release said.
Witnesses told investigators that Wallis allegedly went through a “repentance program” with the church.
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