Trial delayed in molestation case against former boys home worker

Bill Gang

Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999 | 10:15 a.m.

The Sept. 7 trial of Larry Wisenbaker on charges he molested 16 boys at St. Jude's Ranch in Boulder City has been postponed until Nov. 29 to give his attorney time to prepare a defense to allegations that he committed similar acts with eight boys in Texas.

District Judge Kathy Hardcastle on Wednesday granted the first delay in the case after she ruled last month that she intends to allow testimony from the eight Texas boys who say Wisenbaker molested them between January 1997 and January 1998.

Wisenbaker worked during that time at the three children's homes or ranches where the eight had lived.

Deputy Public Defender Joseph Abood indicated he has interviewed some of the boys but needs more time to prepare before trial.

The stories of the boys all told of a person in authority who used his power, position and size to brazenly fondle or sexually assault them even if they protested, according to court records.

Of the 16 St. Jude's Ranch victims, 12 were residents and four were Boulder City boys who were visiting.

Wisenbaker contends the boys have banded together and fabricated the allegations to get him fired because he was too strict with them.

But Deputy District Attorney Gerald Gardner alleged in court documents that Wisenbaker is "a serial child molester who has been preying upon vulnerable boys in a strikingly similar manner for years."

Testimony from the Texas boys, the prosecutor said, "will reveal an overwhelming consistent pattern of sexual abuse between the incidents in Texas and the Nevada offenses."