Charges are filed against priest

Kim Smith

Tuesday, April 23, 2002 | 11:05 a.m.

A Henderson priest used his position of authority and religious teachings to lure five teenage boys into sexually compromising positions, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

The Clark County district attorney's office charged the Rev. Mark Roberts with two felony counts and seven gross misdemeanor counts in connection with allegations made by the young men who claim they were sexually and physically abused by the Catholic priest over a five-year period.

Roberts, 51, faces two counts of using a minor in the production of pornography, two counts of open and gross lewdness and five counts of child abuse or neglect.

Roberts allegedly befriended each of the young men, counseling them and earning their trust. Police and prosecutors say he betrayed that trust by ordering them to take off their clothes and beat themselves as "penance" as he watched. The priest is accused of taking pictures of the young men so they could understand how it felt to be "exploited."

In her affidavit for an arrest warrant, Detective Lynn Saxby wrote that Roberts gave the young men "religious reasons to comply with him as well as religious ramifications for refusing to cooperate."

"In the Catholic faith that believes that a person's eternity after death depends on their relationship with God while they live, this information has enormous power and must be used responsibly," Saxby said.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Ron Bloxham said that although police submitted 38 counts, his office is moving forward on the nine counts "we think we can prove."

"In analyzing the case, we believe these counts best reflect what he did," Bloxham said. He said there were six men who complained but only five of the young men are represented in the complaint because the statute of limitations expired in one case.

Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell said he expects defense attorney George Foley Sr. to surrender Roberts to the Clark County Detention Center sometime between today and Roberts' initial court appearance April 30.

Bell said he is asking for bail to be set at $13,000.

Bishop Joseph Pepe, who oversees the Diocese of Las Vegas, said Monday he is "saddened" by the case.

Pepe suspended Roberts when the allegations came to light on Jan. 30, but he declined to comment when asked if allegations against any other priests have been or will be forwarded to police.

"I don't know what the next day will bring, but I can tell you that I know that the priests who are in active ministry now are doing a fine, upstanding job," Pepe said.

Should other allegations come to light, Pepe said "we will be open and act immediately."

Pepe said that even before the allegations about Roberts arose, the Diocese's policies and procedures concerning such abuse were in the process of being revised with input from attorneys.

The Diocese's school teachers and priests have participated in four workshops pertaining to the revisions since September, Pepe said.

Pepe declined to explain the step-by-step process that takes place when a priest is accused of inappropriate conduct, citing the advice of attorneys.

"We have to take each situation as we meet it," Pepe said.

The bishop declined to answer several other questions, citing a civil lawsuit that has been filed by an attorney for the young men against Roberts and the Diocese.

Still, Pepe, who spent Monday fielding media calls from the offices of Rogich Communications, said in a short interview with the Sun that he wants to "reassure our people that we have, all along, been aware of the importance of being credible and we are most willing to address all of the issues in a situation like this."

Court documents released Monday show each of the alleged victims shared with police similar tales about seeking Roberts' help for spiritual guidance only to be confused by his teachings.

In each case, the young men -- parishioners at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church -- said they were asked by Roberts to participate in a one-on-one program called Searches.

The young men -- who are now between 17 and 21 -- would often meet with Roberts for dinner and then join him in his living quarters or office for spiritual discussions that would sometimes last for hours.

After a month or two the young men said Roberts introduced the topics of humility and penance and the difference between sexuality and sensuality.

According to court documents, Roberts took pornographic pictures of at least two boys and persuaded them and others to strike themselves with a leather whip "as penance."

In addition, Roberts is alleged to have forced several of the boys to assume the position of a crucifix while he marked them with hot candle wax, knives, a lighter and his hands.

One of Roberts' victims told police that as he stood arms stretched out in a doorway, "Father Mark punched him in the stomach and said 'So, you want to be like Jesus?' and continued to hit him."

Another of Roberts' alleged victims told police Roberts told him that "in the Middle Ages physical penance was used extensively by the monks to bring them closer to God."

In the sexuality and sensuality discussions, Roberts persuaded the teens to allow him to give them full body massages and sometimes asked them to reciprocate, the criminal complaint alleges.

The court documents indicate the teens felt uncomfortable and ashamed, but they trusted Roberts and thought he was helping them grow spiritually.

Attorney Albert Massi, who filed the civil lawsuit last month, said Monday he is gratified to see some charges filed.

"I think the Henderson detectives have handled this in a sensitive and professional manner," Massi said. "I'm sure the district attorney's office looked at this case and decided which of the charges they could sustain their burden of proof on. That doesn't mean the others are without merit."

Massi pointed out that although one of his clients is not represented in the criminal case, the burden of proof in the civil arena isn't as high as in a criminal case.

Jurors in a civil case must only believe it is more "probable than not" that Roberts behaved inappropriately and that the Diocese knew it and did nothing, Massi said.

Massi said he believes the coming months will be filled with interesting revelations and he intends for the public to learn about each one.

"I'd like to see how anyone can rationalize or justify this conduct," Massi said. "I'm anxious to see what their responses will be during their depositions."

Massi said each of his clients have sought counseling to help them deal with the current situation.

"I don't think their faith has been shaken, but their confidence in the people who were supposed to be shepherding them has been," Massi said.