Fr. Carmen Sita

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Ordained: 1976
Status: Convicted

Died: 09/19/2021
Diocese: Archdiocese of Newark NJ

A/k/a Gerald Howard. Arrested in 1982; pleaded guilty in 1983 to abuse of a minor and providing him with drugs. Sentenced to five years probation and treatment at Servants of the Paracletes in NM. Legally changed his name to Gerald Howard. Incardinated into the Jefferson City MO diocese; assigned to a parish with a school. Reportedly had no clerical assignments since removal from active ministry in 1984. Accused in 2007 of abusing another boy. Claim settled in 2009 for $600K and agreement to laicize. Other victims in NJ and MO. Arrested in 4/10 in NJ and later in MO. Jailed until MO criminal trial. Settlement of five claims in 2013 for $650K. Pleaded guilty 6/17/14 to two counts of forcible sodomy and one count of attempted forcible sodomy against three teenage boys. Other counts dropped. To serve three concurrent twelve-year sentences and register as sa ex offender when released. Laicized 9/24/12, announced 6/18/14. On Jefferson City diocese’s list 11/8/18. On Newark list 2/13/19. Died 9/19/21.

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