Arrest Made: Madison Clergy Suspected of Child Sexual Offenses Detained Following Covert Investigation
In a series of shocking developments, a Catholic priest named Andrew Showers has been accused of attempted child enticement, sexual assault, and using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. The 37-year-old Showers, who was previously associated with St. Patrick's Church in Lodi, is currently under investigation by the Diocese of Madison.
The investigation was sparked by an undercover operation conducted by the Clintonville Police Department. In this operation, a sergeant posed as a 14-year-old girl named "Abby" on social media platforms. Showers allegedly expressed interest in meeting up for sex with the fake minor and even sent an explicit photo and discussed sexual acts.
Clintonville Police Department officials spotted a vehicle matching the description just before 7:30 p.m. and identified the driver as the same person who was messaging "Abby." The pair had agreed to meet up at a hotel on Sunday, Aug. 24.
Showers is now scheduled to have an initial appearance on Sept. 30, in Waupaca County Circuit Court. He is currently facing charges of attempted use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, attempted child enticement, and attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child under 16 years old.
Prior to the arrest, the Diocese of Madison had stated that there were no previous allegations of misconduct involving Showers. However, a Lodi Police Department police report detailed a complaint regarding Showers on Dec. 13, 2021, at St. Patrick's Church. No criminal charges resulted from this incident.
In a statement, the Diocese of Madison apologised that the parental complaint from 2021 was not included in their initial release about Showers. They responded to the 2021 investigation on Wednesday after reviewing diocesan files, email messages, and phone records.
The church St. Patrick's in Lodi belongs to the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio, and the related authorities where Showers has been restricted since his arrest are within this diocese. The Diocese of Madison has also stated that Showers is currently restricted from public ministry.
In a tragic turn of events, after his arrest, Showers allegedly drafted a letter to "Abby" expressing remorse for his actions. The report noted that the parent was waiting to hear back from the church diocese, who was conducting an investigation.
It is a sad reminder that such incidents continue to occur, and it is crucial for authorities and institutions to take swift action to protect children and maintain the trust of their communities.
