Priest out on bail after sex charges

Keith Paul

Tuesday, April 30, 2002 | 11:04 a.m.

A Henderson Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing five teenage boys under the guise of religious penance appeared in Henderson Justice Court this morning, silent and without his religious garb.

The Rev. Mark Roberts, who surrendered to police Monday and was released after posting $13,000 bail, appeared with his attorney, George Foley Sr., before Justice of the Peace Rodney Burr.

Burr set a preliminary hearing to consider whether there is enough evidence to take the case to trial for May 28.

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. Prosecutors approved the charges April 22, but did not file charges in connection with the allegations of a sixth teen, saying the statute of limitations had run out.

About 25 parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, where Roberts served, attended the hearing, all apparently to support him. Roberts appeared in court wearing a button-down shirt and slacks. He said nothing throughout the hearing.

After the court appearance parishioners and reporters surrounded the priest. Roberts answered no questions, but accepted the support of the church members.

"I told him I loved him and gave him a kiss on the cheek," said Dolly Blake, a parishioner since 1949.

Two elderly male parishioners put their arms around Roberts and walked with him as a throng of media followed. He turned to one of the men and said, "Thank you for being here," then got into a car with Foley and drove away.

Roberts is accused of befriending the young men over a five-year period, counseling them and earning their trust. Police and prosecutors said he then ordered 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."

Roberts turned himself in to the Henderson Police Department about 10:30 a.m. Monday, had a mug shot taken, was fingerprinted, filled out paperwork and was released by noon, Police Chief Michael Mayberry said.

Bishop Joseph Pepe, who oversees the Diocese of Las Vegas, suspended Roberts when the allegations came to light on Jan. 30. He has declined to comment when asked if allegations against any other priests have been or will be forwarded to police.

"Father Roberts' status with the church is that he is suspended, which means he cannot function as a priest anywhere in the world," Pepe said Monday in written response to questions.

Pepe said Roberts has not faced criminal charges before, but acknowledged that there was a past allegation of misconduct with an adult.

A civil lawsuit against the diocese was filed March 21 by six boys accusing the priest of sexual misconduct.

Parishioners who attended this morning's hearing expressed doubts about the allegations.

"I don't believe it at all, because I know Father Mark and because he's been around a lot of teenagers and helped them," Bernice Martin, a St. Peter's parishioner for eight years, said.

"The whole thing as far as I'm concerned was misinterpreted," Paul Wine, a parishioner for seven years, said. "He is an excellent priest. He has really helped a lot of people."

Martin said she would love to have Father Mark return to the church, but "I know there's no way we're going to get him back."

Christina De Ovando, a parishioner of nine years and mother of twin 16-year-old boys who are active in the church, said, "I have no worries about my children being around him. I talked to them about the allegations, and they said they don't believe a word."

She added later, "Sometimes we are wrongly accused. We hope the truth comes out, whatever the truth is."