Pastor Arrested on Sex-Abuse Charges
ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- A St. George man described by police as a pastor and teacher at a private school, has been arrested and accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl, who was a student at the school.
Gabriel E. Carlin, 32, a teacher at East Harbor Christian Academy in Washington, was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility on four counts of first-degree felony sexual abuse of a minor.
He was being held on $100,000 bail.
St. George police Sgt. Craig Harding said Carlin allegedly gave the girl a ride to her home from school and there allegedly was "some inappropriate touching involved. All touching was over the clothes, no clothes were removed."
The alleged incident reportedly occurred during the last 30 days, and the girl's complaint was filed on March 9.
Harding said the charges were enhanced from second- to first-degree felonies because of the position of trust Carlin holds.
Details on Carlin's ecclesiastic position were not immediately available. However, his creditianls are mentioned online at http://www.columbiaseminary.org/news/ where it says:
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Gabriel E. Carlin, 32, a teacher at East Harbor Christian Academy in Washington, was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility on four counts of first-degree felony sexual abuse of a minor.
He was being held on $100,000 bail.
St. George police Sgt. Craig Harding said Carlin allegedly gave the girl a ride to her home from school and there allegedly was "some inappropriate touching involved. All touching was over the clothes, no clothes were removed."
The alleged incident reportedly occurred during the last 30 days, and the girl's complaint was filed on March 9.
Harding said the charges were enhanced from second- to first-degree felonies because of the position of trust Carlin holds.
Details on Carlin's ecclesiastic position were not immediately available. However, his creditianls are mentioned online at http://www.columbiaseminary.org/news/ where it says:
February 2005: Recent Graduate: Congratulations goes to Gabriel E. Carlin of Utah who completed his studies for the degree of Master of Theological Studies. Mr. Carlin is now enrolled for the Doctor of Ministry degree.
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academic principal and considered a member of the family. (http://www.eastharbor.org/)
Gabriel Carlin, 32 at the time of the crime, was arrested on March 14, 2006, charged with four
first degree felony charges of Sexual Abuse Against a Minor—an innocent girl, age eleven (11).
Per Detective Alan Johnson of the St. George police department, Mr. Carlin admitted, during a “controlled call” and subsequent investigation, to having a sexual attraction and to having had
inappropriate contact with the child. The factual basis to which defendant Carlin pled guilty in
court today included kissing the young girl on her mouth and fondling her breasts and
buttocks for his sexual desire.
After 27 months, this case is finally beginning to reach a level of finality. The child and her
family have lived in fear of this man for over two years. There has been no healing, no closure
and no moving beyond the pain as this had remained unresolved. The child and her siblings
changed, behaviorally, spiritually and physically as a result. The children could no longer attend
school due to fear and uncertainty, leaving them to be homeschooled. They experience illness and other manifestations including night-terrors and physical sickness. But, now Mr. Carlin must finally face the penalty and accept responsibility for his crimes as well as not be allowed to continue to provide spiritual guidance and pastoral leadership which includes services to old and young. (http://www.carlinnotes.blogspot.com/)