Madison Meeks – Opinion Editor 

mvm7037@psu.edu

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA – five members of PA Jehovah’s Witnesses are facing multiple charges of sexually abusing a child. WHTM local ABC station has stated that “Pennsylvania’s Acting Attorney General Michelle Harris announced the arrests and criminal charges against the men, saying several cases involve young family members.” 

PA’s Acting Attorney General Michelle Harris has said, “These children deserve a community where they can grow, play, learn and pray and not be preyed upon.”

 The victims of these heinous crimes are between the ages of 5 to 15. In contrast, the perpetrators are between the ages of 42 to 74.

The five perpetrator, Marc Brown of Allegany County, is 65. Raymond Shultz of Beaver County, 74; Abimael Valentin-Matos of Lancaster County, who is 42; Kevin Isovitsch of Butler County, who is 51; and Norman Aviles of Lancaster County, who is 44, are all facing charges. 

The five facing charges are Aggravated Indecent Assault, Indecent Assault, Endangering the Welfare of Children, and Corruption of Minors. One of the men is being charged with rape. 

ABC WHTM station has stated that “according to the 49th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, the alleged abuse by Valentin-Matos was reported by the survivor to congregation elders.” 

The station also stated that “the Grand Jury discovered the alleged assault while investigating an offense against the survivor by Norman Aviles.” 

Aviles had several past allegations against him, but nothing was done due to the lack of evidence in the investigation.