Fr. Francis A. Benham
First complaint made in 1979; sent for treatment, returned to ministry. Assigned to the Diocese of Columbus OH 1979-1985. Left priesthood in 1985. Pleaded guilty in 2005 to molesting a 15-year-old boy and sodomizing a 13-year-old girl in the late 1970s. Sentenced to 2 concurrent 10-year sentences, all but 18 months suspended. Laicized in 2005. Released from prison in 1/2006, followed by 3 years probation. Placed on sex offender registry. Also worked in IL, where he was a certified child care provider with Human Services. Cited in 10/2012 in IL for practicing clinical psychology without a license. Included on the Archdiocese of WDC’s 10/15/2018 list. On the Columbus diocese’s list 3/1/2019. Benham died 12/18/2023.
- Washington Post 07.03.04
- Columbus Dispatch 08.20.04
- Washington Times 03.05.05
- The Courier 03.07.05
- Gazette 03.07.05
- Columbus Dispatch 01.13.06
- State Journal-Register 01.21.06
- The Courier 01.22.06
- Washington Times 01.22.06
- The Courier 01.23.06
- Washington Post 12.02.10
- State Journal-Register 10.22.12
- SNAP Statement 10.22.12
- Lincoln Courier 10.22.12
- Pantagraph 10.24.12
- Archdiocese of WDC list 10.15.18
- NPR 10.16.18
- Diocese of Columbus List 03.01.19
Sources:
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