According to a press release from the Washington and St. Tammany Parishes District Attorneys Office, the sentence range for Clarks crime was between six months to three years behind bars. The witness saw the priest was stripped down on the altar and engaging in sex acts with the corseted women in high-heeled boots, according to prosecutors. Disgraced Louisiana priest pleads guilty to filming pornographic He has paid restitution to the Archdiocese of New Orleans, which destroyed the altar. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. I believe the only way this church and the city is going to survive is get someone from the outside to come in and start from the beginning and when that does happen SNAP will be there to support whatever archbishop is replaced, Bourgeois said. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Who is Reverend Travis Clark and why was he arrested? You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The former priest, Travis Clark, 39, was arrested in October 2020, after police said he was filming himself having sex with two women on the altar of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pearl . or redistributed. Father Travis Clark, 37, and the two women he was caught with making a pornographic video, each faces up to two years imprisonment if found guilty. Clark was pastor of Sts. The three have now face one count of institutional vandalism each. Former priest, two women formally charged for having sex in Pearl River Upon arriving at the house of worship, police reportedly seized multiple sex toys and staging lights, as well as a camera mounted on a tripod that was used to film the encounter. Travis Clark is pictured in his mugshot. 'The haters have won': Isaiah Washington - who was fired from Grey's Anatomy for gay slur - announces early retirement from acting in lengthy Twitter rant, 'Don't go into the mountains! Travis Clark was arrested on Oct. 1 for obscenity. Has he had possibly with minor. Travis Clark, 39, a former Catholic priest in Louisiana, pleaded guilty on Monday to an obscenity charge after he was caught having a threesomeon the altar of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in 2020, The altar of Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church during a regularly scheduled Mass. A preliminary hearing is set for May 18, and his trial date is May 24. He now stands accused of knowingly vandalizing, defacing or otherwise damaging property and causing damage valued between $500 and $50,000.. A former Catholic priest caught engaging in a sex romp with a pair of dominatrices on a church altar in 2020 has pleaded guilty to felony obscenity charges. As for Clarks future in the courtroom, Fox 8 legal analyst, Joe Raspanti says its a pretty straightforward case, especially if supposed video evidence is brought to a St. Tammany jury. Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 22, 2022 / 15:40 pm. Who is Reverend Travis Clark and why was he arrested? The altar was replaced by the church. Clark was busted in an unholy trinity with Mindy Dixon and Melissa Cheng on September 30, 2020. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The two women, 30-year-old Melissa Cheng and 43-year-old Mindy Dixon, both pleaded guilty in July to misdemeanor counts of institutional vandalism and sentenced to probation. A former Catholic priest who pleaded guilty last month to a felony obscenity charge for performing sex acts with two professional dominatrices on the altar of a Pearl River church has been held in contempt of court for giving a television news interview. Clark is now one of four priests within the past week Aymond has had to address for sexual abuse or obscenity. French family sues Airbnb after 19-month-old daughter dies from fentanyl overdose while taking a nap at Miami rental - after previous tenants held cocaine-fueled party, Walgreens says it will NOT sell abortion pills in 20 Republican-controlled states - even where it is still legal. Clark had seemingly escaped jail time for the three-way in 2020 that a passerby saw through the window at Sts. New Orleans archbishop calls priest's acts 'demonic,' cleanses - WDSU NEW ORLEANS, La. Clark was sentenced to three years in prison, but Creel decided to suspend his time in jail and instead punished him with three years of probation and a $1,000 fine. Police soon arrived and discovered sex toys and a tripod-mounted camera that had apparently been filming the steamy scene. Millions of men out of work and lonely. You have permission to edit this article. Clark was ordained a priest in 2013. Both women told officers who arrived at the scene that they were filming 'roleplay' with Clark. The St. Tammany Parish Justice Center in Covington. Just because you dont like something, doesnt make it criminal. Travis Clark, 37, instead faces a charge of felony vandalism over the. The original obscenity charge was filed after prosecutors alleged the three were having sex in a place open to the public view.. He saidthat the incident was legal because it didnt occur in public. Former priest, two women formally charged for having sex in Pearl River church, La. The two other defendants in the case, Mindy Dixon and Melissa Cheng, each pleaded guilty in July to a single count of misdemeanor institutional vandalism. Clark was suspended from the ministry just one day after this arrest. I am infuriated by his actions. Obscenity charge dropped against priest who had threesome with In a filing opposing the revocation, Clark's attorney, Marc Hoerner Jr., argued that his client did not gain from the TV appearance and was not seeking notoriety. Ex-priest Travis Clark pleads guilty in church altar sex He was ordained in 2013 and had been working at the church since 2019.. Travis Clark, the disgraced priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, pled guilty Monday to a felony count of obscenity for his actions in . All English Franais. Judge Ellen Creelof the 22nd Judicial District on Monday sentenced Travis Jhon Clark to a three-year suspended prison sentence and three years of probation, prosecutors announced Monday. In addition, "stage lights were set up, and they were using a cellphone and camera, both mounted on a tripod" to record themselves, according to WWLTV. 'I plead guilty your honor,' Clark said on Monday. A witness in Pearl River, northeast of New Orleans, called police on Sept. 30 after allegedly viewing Rev. The altar that Clark and the women had sex on was subsequently removed and burned, with a new plinth since consecrated. Phillips also lashed the vandalism charge as prurient, saying: Once again, they have overstepped their bounds as this nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to regulate the morality of private individuals. Peter and Paul Catholic Church has a dark tint covering the glass located at 66192 St Mary Dr. in Pearl River, La. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Dixon reportedly goes by the professional names Satanatrix or Lady Vi, while Cheng is known professionally as Mistress Ming.The church reportedly burned the altar upon which Clark and the women had sex. Clark has paid restitution in the amount of $8,000.. Police seized sex toys, stage lights, a cell phone and a tripod-mounted camera. My clients look forward to their day in court as we continue to fight this baseless allegation.". Convicted of obscenity, former priest jailed for contempt | One Tammany Priest who sparked calls for Vatican probe hit with new charges over Court documents show police arrested him and two other women: Mindy Dixon and Melissa Cheng. In this situation its an incredibly specific set of facts and conditions that seem very unlikely to ever happen again, Kennedy reportedly told the Advocate, suggesting that Dixon and Cheng were far more likely to find themselves in similarly hot water. Archbishop Gregory Aymond accused Clark of being unfaithful to his vocation and violating his commitment to celibacy and also he was using that which was holy to do demonic things.. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pearl River when the arrest took place. An unidentified witness reportedly saw Mindy Dixon, 41, and Melissa Cheng, 23, allegedly having sex with Clark - who was half naked. One witness said they saw the priest stripped down on the alter. SNAP calls for Vatican investigation after alleged orgy on church altar Clark was ordained a priest in 2013 and became pastor of St. Peter and Paul last year. ", Phillips has not immediately responded to. My clients look forward to their day in court as we continue to fight this baseless allegation.. An attorney representing them said they were out of town and requested the court set a new arraignment date. Clarks lawyer Bradley Phillips said it was rightful not to pursue obscenity charges because the priest and his lovers were having consensual sex in a private place. Reverend Travis Clark, 37, worked as a priest at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Pearl River, Louisiana. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. The archdiocese told CNA that the priest had "never before been the subject of any sexual misconduct claims." RELATED: Mixed reaction after new altar consecrated following pastors obscenity charges with dominatrices. The trio face obscenity charges for having sex on the altar of his former church, Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Pearl River. ", The filing cited "countless negative portrayals" of Clark in the media and said his intention was for people to see him as "a human being worthy of forgiveness.". Its unclear if Clark has an attorney. The Rev. Travis Clark Accused Of Having Sex On Church Altar "Im upset for all of us, the parishioners of the church. All rights reserved. Archbishop of New Orleans Gregory Aymond told WWL-TV that Clarks acts were deplorable., His desecration of the altar in Church was demonic, he said. Clark was caught having sex on the alter with two women, Cheng and Dixon (pictured in their mugshots) were also arrested and sentenced to two years of probation. Former Priest Travis Clark Gets Probation for Threesome on Church Altar NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The St. Tammany Parish District Attorney's Office has charged a former priest and two women with vandalizing a Pearl River Church last Fall. Louisiana church reconsecrated after 'demonic' desecration, while The comments below have not been moderated. Clark, Cheng and Dixon were all released from jail after posting bond shortly after their arrests. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Travis Clark, 37, instead faces a charge of felony vandalism over the September 2020 incident at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Orleans. The fine Clark is responsible for paying comes in addition to the restitution he already paid to the church. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Clark was arrested after filming himself having sex with two dominatrices inside the church on September 30. Travis Clark was sentenced to three years of supervised probation after his plea in Louisianas 22nd Judicial District Court on Monday. The two insist that they were innocent because all parties were adults and the incident took place behind closed doors on private property. The Archdiocese of New Orleans removed him the day after his arrest. Police were called, and removed plastic sex toys as well as stage lights from the scene. Clark was caught in the unholy act more than two years ago when a passerby noticed lights on in the Pearl River church - and when he peered in through the window, he was stunned at what he saw. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Travis Clark, 39, entered the plea as part of an agreement with prosecutors on Monday. Dixon and Cheng told police at the time of the arrest that they were role-playing and recording the consensual acts. Legal Statement. Now her new home is prison. But District Attorney Warren Montgomery filed a motion this month asking the court to revoke Clark's probation and send him to jail for the full term for an alleged violation of his plea agreement. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, located at 66192 St Mary Dr. in Pearl River, La. How many others have been allowed to stay in a cleric after reports made against them? Who is Reverend Travis Clark and why was he arrested? To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. In a statement last week, Archbishop Gregory Aymond said the Archdiocese is cooperating with law enforcement and will petition the Vatican for the laicization of both Travis and Patrick Wattigny, another former north shore priest who was indicted last week on a count of molestation of a juvenile. Theyve now penned a letter to Pope Francis asking him to send someone to investigate the archbishop and his records. (WVUE) - Archbishop Gregory Aymond released a video statement reacting to the arrest of former priest Travis Clark. According to court documents, on the night of September 30th, Father Travis Clark and two women could be seen having sex - in the church sanctuary- on the altar. Court documents show police arrested him and two other women . "Instead, after waiting nearly six months, the state has decided to move forward with a lesser charge of 'institutionalized vandalism.' (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate), Roman Catholic Archbishop Gregory Aymond, pictured entering the Presbytere in New Orleans after celebrating Easter Mass at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on April 12, traveled Saturday to Saints Peter and Paul Church in Pearl River to consecrate a new altar during vigil Mass. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk, For more stories like this,check our news page, Get your need-to-know You have permission to edit this article. Travis Clark, 37, through a church window engaged with two high-heeled, corseted women. On Monday, Nov. 21, Travis Clark pleaded guilty before District Judge Ellen Creel, according to the Warren Montgomery District Attorney's Office. Once again, they have overstepped their bounds as this nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to regulate the morality of private individuals. It is clear the state went out of its way to contort the facts of this case in order to fit their own narrative," Phillips stated. My clients look forward to their day in court as we continue to fight this baseless allegation.. Priest accused of making sex tape pleads guilty to obscenity | Biloxi Obscenity charges against a former priest and two professional dominatrices have been dropped, . There was a problem saving your notification. Ex-Priest Travis Jhon Clark Pleads to Felony Obscenity Constance Marten seen leaving court after appearing before magistrates charged with manslaughter of baby, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon blow each other a kiss in dock before court hears dead baby was found in bag in shed, Mum identified after dead baby is found on Canford Heath, filming himself having sex with two dominatrices, Mindy Dixon, 41, and Melissa Cheng, 23, allegedly having sex with Clark, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). (St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office). By Gina Tron Priest, Dominatrices Have Charges Reduced For Altar Sex Reverend Travis Clark, 37, worked as a priest at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Pearl River, Louisiana. The 39-year-old was serving as pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pearl River when a passerby noticed lights on at the church late one night in September 2020. Travis Clark and two dominatrices, Melissa Cheng, center, and Mindy Dixon, right, were charged with vandalism following an alleged altar threesome at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in 2020. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Travis Clark, 39, made the confession as. Pastor, adult film actor and dominatrix for hire, another woman booked with obscenity. woman accused of using aunts debit card for 136 DoorDash orders held on preset $18 million bond, Juvenile injured after homemade pipe bomb detonated, police say. In October, priests in the New Orleans archdiocese told reporters that the priest was quiet and kept to himself. Clark pleaded guilty to felony obscenity on Monday. Just because you dont like something, doesnt make it criminal. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. interface language. Clark, dressed in a dark suit, appeared before District Judge Ellen Creel to enter his plea, accompanied by his attorney Kevin McNary. According to a report from The Advocate, the aforementioned witnesses were passing by the church located in the 66000 block of St. Mary Drive on Sept. 30, 2020 when they spotted Dixon and two women, later identified as professional dominatrices Mindy Dixon andMelissa Cheng. View our online Press Pack. Sex toys and stage lights were recovered at the scene by police, along with recording devices, according to court documents. Harry's chat with guru who compared Hamas terrorists to Jews who battled the Nazis has appalled Rabbis: What DOES Duke know about man who defended anti-Semites, called for ALL drugs to be legal and who will want intimate detail of his upbringing? While condemning Clarks alleged sexual exploits, Aymond asked the congregation not to judge the church or priesthood as a whole by Clarks actions. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Kellyanne Conway and husband George SPLIT after 22 years following admission in her 2022 memoir that her husband's criticism of Trump was a betrayal, Where IS Gavin? Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Reverend Travis Clark was ordained in 2013, Mindy Dixon was arrested and booked for obscenity charges, Melissa Cheng was allegedly also involved in the illegal act, Clark was suspended from the ministry after getting arrested. Mindy Dixon, 43, (left) and Melissa Cheng, 25, (right), along with Clark, were initially charged with obscenity following the alleged threesome at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Pearl river, September 2020, A passerby noticed the lights in the Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church (pictured). A Catholic priest caught having a threesome with two porn stars on his church altar will not be charged with obscenity. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Former Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to obscenity, jailed after Beginning Monday morning at 9:00 A.M. is the trial of the former priest who was caught making a pornographic video on the altar. Dixon and Cheng told police at the time of the arrest that they were role-playing and recording the consensual acts. Our prayers remain with all those who were hurt by the actions of these two men, and in a particular way, we offer our prayers for healing of survivors of abuse.. "The Court extensively questioned the defendant to ensure that he had in fact read the plea agreement and understood it," the motion said. A disgraced former Louisiana priest has admitted to engaging in sexual acts with two dominatrices on his church's altar after a passerby reported the lurid incident. Priest caught making sex tape on altar with 'dominatrix duo' pleads Priest accused of making sex tape pleads guilty to obscenity | The 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The only way we can know is if an investigator comes in and goes through his archives, Bourgeois said. "Defendant Clark was not seeking pecuniary gain or fame in any form. Investigators reportedly determined that the sexual activity between the three adults was entirely consensual, but they took the trio into custody on obscenity charges because the acts took place in view of the public. MEGHAN MCCAIN: Ohio in a poisonous soup. woman accused of using aunts debit card for 136 DoorDash orders held on preset $18 million bond, Juvenile injured after homemade pipe bomb detonated, police say, Mixed reaction after new altar consecrated following pastors obscenity charges with dominatrices. Louisiana priest, 39, pleads guilty to obscenity charge after he was Dixon and Clark were both sentenced to serve two years of probation. A witness walked towards the church out of curiosity as the inside lights were on at an unusual time and used a cell phone to record the unexpected sight before contacting the Pearl River police. (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate). Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Travis Clark, 39, entered the plea as part of an agreement with prosecutors on Monday. Some priests said at the time that Clark's seminary nickname was Lurch, a reference to the gloomy butler in television's "The Addams Family." Share The Pillar All three were then arrested on obscenity charges because they were in view of the public. (St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office). Jerry Lambe is a journalist at Law&Crime. Instead, after waiting nearly six months, the State has decided to move forward with a lesser charge of institutionalized vandalism. It is clear the State went out of its way to contort the facts of this case in order to fit their own narrative. The two women who were arrested along with the priest, Mindy Lynn Dixon, 41, of Kent, Washington, and Melissa Kamon Cheng, 28, of Alpharetta, Georgia, were not at the St. Tammany courthouse in Covington Monday morning. We are proceeding to the Vatican to petition for their laicization presenting information from both the criminal and canonical investigations. It was possible for the onlooker to peek inside the church through the windows and glass doors. In addition to the suspended sentence and probation, Judge Creel also ordered Clark to pay a fine of $1,000. I will consecrate a new altar tomorrow, Aymond said. A. (Google Maps). An attorney for the women also issued a statement: The District Attorney has rightfully chosen to not pursue obscenity charges against my clients. Clark had also been charged with one count of institutional vandalism, but prosecutors agreed to drop the charge as part of his plea agreement, per the Advocate. (WVUE) - Archbishop Gregory Aymond released a video statement reacting to the arrest of former priest Travis Clark. The electronic spies lurking in our pockets are now justice's greatest tools, Alex Murdaugh is seen with his prison buzz cut as he starts two life sentences without parole for killing his wife Maggie and son: Judge says they will 'visit you in your sleep' - as his lawyers plan appeal in ten days, Is Murdaugh family behind three other mysterious deaths? A former Catholic priest who pleaded guilty last month to a felony obscenity charge for performing sex acts with two professional dominatrices on the altar of a Pearl River church has been held.