The Black Collar Crime Series relies on public news stories and publicly available information for its content. If any incorrect information is found, please contact Bruce Gerencser. Nothing in this post should be construed as an accusation of guilt. Those accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty.
Walter Masocha, the pastor of Agape for All Nations Church in Scotland, was convicted of attempted rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault and sentenced to ten years in prison.
A former Stirling University professor who founded a prominent church has been jailed for ten years for sexually abusing two female congregants.
Walter Masocha, 61, who led The Agape for All Nations Church in Scotland, was convicted of attempted rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault.
The High Court in Livingston previously heard testimony detailing Masocha’s predatory behaviour, with one married woman recounting how he groped her at his Stirling home, telling her she was a “gift to him from God”.
She testified that Masocha justified putting his hand in her trousers and touching her private parts by claiming he was “removing demons” and bestowing blessings.
Another victim, who was just 20 when the abuse began described how Masocha — seen as a father figure by many in the church — told her: “God has given you to me to nurture you, look after you and provide for you. He told me to love you in any way you want to be loved. You don’t need a boyfriend.”
She recounted incidents of him grabbing her face and putting his tongue in her mouth, slapping her bottom and placing her hand on his genitals. She also described an attempted rape in his bedroom from which she managed to escape.
Advocate depute Michael McIntosh, for the prosecution, said: “She was looking for prayer and she found herself being preyed upon. Walter Masocha wasn’t just a pastor and a preacher, he was a predator who thought that his power and position rendered him immune from suspicion.”
The conviction follows a trial last month in which Masocha, of Bridge of Allan, denied all charges, asserting that both women had fabricated their stories. However, the jury found him guilty of the charges relating to incidents between January 1, 2006, and July 31, 2012, in the Stirling area.
Judge Susan Craig condemned Masocha’s actions as “appalling”, stating there was no alternative to a lengthy custodial sentence.
Upon his eventual release, he will remain under close social work supervision for four years and will be on the sex offenders register for life. Non-harassment orders have also been imposed, barring him from contacting his victims.
Bruce Gerencser, 68, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 47 years. He and his wife have six grown children and sixteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
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