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  Ex-Priest Arrested after Man Says He Was Molested As a Teen in 1980

By Cameron W. Barr
Washington Post [Maryland]
May 13, 2006

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/
2006/05/12/AR2006051201952.html

Montgomery County police yesterday arrested a former Roman Catholic priest living in Rockville on charges of abusing a minor in 1980.

William McSherry Stock, 63, was ordained in 1969 and served five area churches before leaving the priesthood in 1985, said Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Washington.

Stock was registered to work as a substitute public school teacher from the fall of 2003 until March 2004, but Brian Edwards, a spokesman for the Montgomery County public schools, said the system did not have records indicating whether he taught.

Police began their investigation in March after a 42-year-old Silver Spring man reported that Stock, while an associate pastor at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Olney, had offered him a massage that escalated to a sexual act. The Silver Spring man was 17 at the time and had sought counseling from Stock.

Police said the man came forward because he had recently encountered Stock while working at a store and the ex-priest had given him a note suggesting that they meet socially. The Washington Post does not name victims of alleged sexual abuse.

Stock also served at St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Bethesda, Mount Calvary in Forestville, Our Lady Queen of Peace in the District and St. Paul in Damascus.

Stock, a resident of the 13800 block of Parkland Drive, is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond on charges of custodial child abuse, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. No one could be reached at his home yesterday.

Police ask anyone with information about improper conduct involving Stock to call Detective Louvenna Pallis at 240-773-5400. Those wishing anonymity may call Crime Solvers at 866-411-8477.

"If a child has been harmed at any time, we just hope they come forward and that the person is held accountable," Gibbs said. She said the archdiocese was not aware of any other allegation against Stock.

 
 

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