Arkansas Priests Accused of Abuse

The United States’ dioceses have a long history of childhood sexual abuse, including cases involving credibly accused priests. Arkansas dioceses are included in this pattern of abuse, particularly affecting vulnerable victims with a long history of allegations against clergy members abusing both children and vulnerable adults

Injury Lawyer Team is committed to helping Arkansas residents who are the victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault in the Catholic Church. We work with abuse survivors to help them get the compensation they deserve after priest abuse.

Arkansas Catholic Diocese Priest Sex Abuse List

Diocese of Little Rock AR

Donald Althoff

• Accused

Donald Althoff was ordained in 1982 and served in several parishes in Arkansas. He was placed on leave in 1992 following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor and was removed from active ministry in 1995. The Diocese of Little Rock publicly identified him as accused on September 10, 2018, citing one known victim connected to his period of ministry in the state.

Robert A. Dagwell

• Accused

Robert A. Dagwell was ordained in 1954 and served in multiple parishes in Arkansas before being removed from active ministry in 1986. He was publicly identified as accused by the Diocese of Little Rock on September 10, 2018, following allegations of sexual abuse of minors. Dagwell died in 1997.

Richard Patrick Davis

• Sued

Richard Patrick Davis was accused of fondling an altar boy on two occasions in 1981 during a week-long training program held at St. James and St. Albert parishes in Arkansas. A civil lawsuit later alleged sexual abuse of a minor connected to his supervisory role during the program.

Joseph Correnti

• Settled

Joseph Correnti was first publicly identified as accused by the Diocese of Little Rock on September 10, 2018, with two known victims. Additional allegations described sexual abuse of a boy aged 14–15 between 1995 and 2002 and abuse of another individual in 1983–1984. Civil claims involving multiple victims were later resolved through settlement.

Nicholas Fuhrmann

• Sued

Nicholas Fuhrmann served for many years as an English teacher and boxing coach associated with Subiaco Abbey. Several individuals filed civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of minors during his tenure. The cases were dismissed on statute-of-limitations grounds. Fuhrmann was permanently removed from active ministry in 2002.

John J. McDaniel

• Settled

John J. McDaniel was named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Little Rock on September 10, 2018. Five men alleged that McDaniel sexually abused them as boys during the early 1970s while he was serving in Arkansas parishes. The diocese later resolved the claims through a financial settlement.

Patrick Hannon

• Accused

Patrick Hannon was a Benedictine monk affiliated with Subiaco Abbey. He was listed as accused by the Subiaco Abbey Benedictines on January 24, 2020, following allegations of sexual abuse of minors connected to his monastic service. Hannon died on December 27, 1994.

Anthony McKay

• Accused

Anthony McKay served in the Diocese of Little Rock from 1991 to 2001. He was publicly identified as accused on the diocese’s September 10, 2018 list. McKay was dismissed from the priesthood in 2004. Reports attributed approximately ten victims to him. He died in 2015.

Edward Mooney

• Accused

Edward Mooney was publicly identified as accused by the Diocese of Little Rock on September 10, 2018, with two known victims. He left active ministry in 1971, was laicized in 1974, and later died in 2009 following decades removed from clerical service.

Walter Rajmund

• Accused

Walter Rajmund was named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Little Rock when he was added to its disclosure list in February 2019. Two known victims were identified in connection with allegations of sexual abuse of minors. Rajmund died in 1990.

Edward E. Simpson

• Accused

Edward E. Simpson retired from ministry in 1986 and died in 1988. On April 20, 2020, the Diocese of Little Rock received a report alleging that Simpson sexually abused a minor during his clerical service. The diocese deemed the allegation credible and added him to its list of accused clergy.

Timothy Francis Sugrue

• Settled

Timothy Francis Sugrue was accused of sexually abusing a girl and her sister in 1978 while assigned to ministry at an Air Force base in Arkansas. He was dismissed from the priesthood in 2005 and later included on the Diocese of Little Rock’s September 10, 2018 list. Related civil claims were settled.

Robert A. Torres

• Accused

Robert A. Torres, a former priest of the Diocese of Little Rock, was accused of sexually abusing at least two individuals more than 35 years prior, with indications of additional victims. The abuse occurred during his period of active ministry. Torres was later removed from clerical duties.

William Wright

• Accused

William Wright joined the Glenmary Home Missioners in 1978 and served in Arkansas before leaving the order in 2006. He was publicly identified as credibly accused by the Diocese of Little Rock in February 2019 and was also listed by other dioceses and his religious order following similar determinations.

Numerous Arkansas dioceses have been the subject of sexual abuse allegations and lawsuits, many of which involve children or vulnerable adults as abuse survivors. A credible allegation of priest abuse is crucial in bringing light to a problem in the Catholic Church and ensuring that those responsible are permanently removed from their religious orders.

Reporting sex abuse is the first step in seeking justice when dealing with alleged abuse, which can lead to a child sexual abuse claim. Arkansas also allows victims of sex abuse to seek compensation through civil claims or a civil lawsuit. A civil claim enables sex abuse victims to recover damages for pain and suffering from liable clergy members or priests, including filing lawsuits against those responsible for the abuse.

Legal Support for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors in Arkansas

Injury Lawyer Team offers legal support for Arkansas Catholic Church members who have been sexually abused or assaulted. We also work with vulnerable victims who may be involved in a criminal investigation to hold those accused of abuse accountable.

Our legal team has the expertise and compassion that’s needed when dealing with clergy sexual abuse cases. We have successfully represented other Arkansas victims, ensuring the priests accused are held accountable, including those from the Roman Catholic diocese.

What Laws Govern Priest Abuse Lawsuits in Arkansas

Arkansas has several laws to help protect vulnerable victims of childhood sexual abuse, including the Sexual Abuse Act. The Sexual Abuse Act helps create guidelines that determine when a child sexual abuse survivor can press criminal charges or file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator for something like clergy abuse.

Arkansas Civil Statutes

Arkansas lawmakers passed new legislation in 2021, helping to better protect victims of child sexual abuse. The new legislation (Act 1036) expands the statute of limitations on filing a child sexual abuse case to the victim’s 55th birthday. When Arkansas lawmakers passed this, it also created a temporary two-year window for victims to come forward, but this has since expired.

Arkansas Criminal Statutes (Child Sex Abuse Statutes)

It’s important to note that Arkansas law doesn’t have a statute of limitations on criminal charges for felony child sexual abuse. A credible allegation of child sex abuse in Arkansas involving minors can and should be reported regardless of the time that has passed since the abuse.

Mandated Reporters

Arkansas requires mandated reporters to notify officials of any suspected abuse, including when someone makes a credible allegation against someone else. This includes clergy members, Arkansas priests, or other Catholic officials.

Those found responsible for attempting to cover up sexual abuse allegations may also be charged criminally and civilly.

Age of Consent

Every state has a different age of consent, which is when a person can legally consent to sexual activities, including sexual intercourse. In Arkansas, the legal age of consent is 16 for anyone 20 or older. This means that a 35-year-old and a 17-year-old can engage in sexual activity, and it’s not considered abuse.

For people under 20, the younger person must be at least 14 years old. Under Arkansas law, anyone under 14 cannot legally give consent. However, there are provisions to protect teens in relationships, such as the rule that a 12-year-old cannot consent if the actor is more than 3 years older. There are also provisions protecting married individuals.

A minor cannot legally consent to sexual activity of any kind between themselves and a person in a position of power, such as a priest, guardian, caretaker, coach, teacher, or counselor.

It’s important to understand the legal deadlines for filing lawsuits regarding abuse in Arkansas to ensure you can hold those accused of sexual abuse accountable. Our experienced team of lawyers can help you learn more about your legal options and the age of consent guidelines.

Filing a Clergy Abuse Lawsuit in Arkansas

Civil claims allow Arkansas residents to seek justice following sex abuse in the Catholic Clergy through various civil statutes. Seek justice for sexual abuse in Arkansas with the following steps:

• Contact Injury Lawyer Team – Contact our Arkansas clergy abuse lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your case.
• Case Investigation – A case investigation includes a deep review of the allegations. Our legal team will review ministry reports, witness statements, and records of the Arkansas Diocese. We will also check the complete list of accused and convicted ministry offenders to determine if others have previously reported the accused.
• Review Settlement Offer – It’s not uncommon for an active ministry to want to keep abuse by Catholic priests out of the public eye, which can sometimes lead to a settlement offer. Our compassionate team is here to help you review any settlement offers and determine if they appropriately cover your financial and psychological damages.
• Prepare and Represent the Victim for Trial – Our legal team is prepared to take sexual abuse allegations to trial, which allows victims to share their stories with a jury. We’ll work with you or your loved one to get the settlement you deserve.

Injury Lawyer Team has the knowledge and compassion you need when dealing with sexual abuse in Arkansas. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Support Resources for Survivors of Abuse in Arkansas

Child sexual abuse can have a lasting effect on victims. Youth and clergy members put their trust in their priest or clergy leader and are often left feeling confused, angry, and traumatized as a result. Actions from one priest can turn into a lifetime of trust issues.

Support resources are available to Arkansas victims to ensure they fully understand their legal rights, including access to a survivors’ network and other essential services.

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: Those who have been sexually abused can find helpful resources through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
• Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault: The Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault, located in Little Rock, is available for those who have suffered sexual abuse in Arkansas. Contact the group at 501-246-3276.
• Arkansas Crisis Center: The Arkansas Crisis Center is available for sexual abuse support at 988.
• NWA Center for Sexual Assault: The NWA Center for Sexual Assault is available to sexual assault victims 24/7 at 1-800-794-4175.

Legal support following ministry or priest abuse can also help connect Arkansas victims to the resources they need.

Notable Cases and Outcomes of Clergy Members Accused of Sexual Abuse in Arkansas

The Diocese of Little Rock has been the subject of numerous sexual abuse lawsuits, especially following the list published of credibly accused individuals. The most recent, in 2019, found that five survivors were eligible for compensation following sexual abuse in the 1970s when the victims were teenagers.

After numerous claims and allegations, the Little Rock Diocese had a list published of priests who have been credibly accused or convicted in the entire state. The list published, which includes those with the most felony sexual offenses, is an attempt to prioritize transparency in the Little Rock, Arkansas, diocese.

More allegations continue coming forward, not only of priests at the Diocese of Little Rock, but also at other dioceses. As states continue prioritizing the importance of seeking justice against these allegations by extending the statute of limitations, we can expect even more cases to come forward.

Injury Lawyer Team has reviewed public and private settlement data related to Arkansas clergy abuse settlements. Depending on the circumstances of your case, these cases may be fairly valued in the $400,000 to $950,000 range, as settlements vary based on the specifics of each case. In cases of extreme conduct or if the case were to go before a jury, damages could exceed $1 million.

Injury Lawyer Team represents sexual assault victims of the Diocese of Little Rock and other religious organizations. We have a solid track record, helping our clients seek justice and collect compensation to cover the resources necessary for moving on. Our legal team values a compassionate approach, guiding victims toward justice while understanding the sensitivity of the cases.

Whether seeking compensation from a priest or clergy member, we have the experience you need to build a solid case, including understanding the criminal statute, and influence change in the Catholic Church. You can rely on our team to turn your credible allegations into justice served.

Sexual assault in the Catholic Church, as highlighted in numerous news reports, is far too common. If you or a loved one was a victim of sexual abuse or assault, you deserve justice. Injury Lawyer Team offers a free, confidential consultation so that you can explore your legal options without risk. We also connect victims to the resources they need for reporting sexual abuse or seeking needed counseling services.

Contact a clergy sexual abuse lawyer today. You can also fill out our confidential online form and have one of our lawyers reach out to you.

Related Practice Areas

• Arkansas Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Fayetteville Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Fort Smith Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Jonesboro Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Little Rock Clergy Abuse Lawyer
• Springdale Clergy Abuse Lawyer

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.