Former Pastor of Jermyn Parish Charged with Sex Crimes

The Times-Tribune
June 15, 2012

http://thetimes-tribune.Child sex charges have been filed against an area priest who served at various Northeastern Pennsylvania churches and at the former Bishop Hoban High School, state police at Mansfield, Tioga County, said Friday.

State police say the Rev. Thomas P. Shoback, 66, of Wilkes-Barre, sexually abused an altar boy at St. Mary's Parish in Blossburg, Tioga County, from 1991 to 1997 while Shoback was the pastor there. The abuse occurred at the parish rectory and at a private cabin in Farmington Township, Tioga County, police said.

Investigators were alerted to the case in November 2011 by officials from the Diocese of Scranton after they received claims that Shoback had inappropriate sexual contact with a minor, police said.

State police have charged Shoback with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, and corruption of minors.

Shoback will be arraigned on the charges in front of Magisterial District Judge James Carson in Mansfield at a later date, police and officials with the magistrate's office said.

The magistrate's office won't release the criminal complaint until the arraignment, which has yet to be scheduled, a secretary said.

Shoback, a Pittston native, was ordained as a priest in 1977.

He served as pastor of Sacred Heart and St. Joseph's churches in Plains Township, and Holy Redeemer Church in Exeter Township. Shoback also served stints as assistant pastor at St. Joseph's Church in Hazleton and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Plymouth. Shoback also served on the faculty of Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre.

From 2006 until the abuse allegations emerged in Nov. 2011, Shoback served as the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Church in Jermyn, Lackawanna County.

At the time the accusations were levied, the diocese suspended Shoback from his duties.

Diocese spokesman William Genello did not immediately respond to an email and call Friday afternoon.

Shoback's brother, Edward, who also was a Scranton Diocese priest, was defrocked by the Vatican in July 2009 following similar child sex allegations, according to The Citizens' Voice archives.com/former-pastor-of-jermyn-parish-charged-with-sex-crimes-1.1330360