MEGHAN MCCAIN: Ohio in a poisonous soup. Reverend Travis Clark, 37, worked as a priest at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Pearl River, Louisiana. About a week after the crime in 2020, the Archbishop of New Orleans consecrated a new altar at the church after its predecessor was burned following Clark's 'demonic' behavior. By Gina Tron Priest, Dominatrices Have Charges Reduced For Altar Sex Travis Clark, 37; Mindy Dixon, 41; and Melissa Cheng, 23, for obscene acts. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Wattigny also pleaded not guilty on Monday. Just because you dont like something, doesnt make it criminal. The comments below have not been moderated. Oh - how these liberal minds work! The electronic spies lurking in our pockets are now justice's greatest tools, Alex Murdaugh is seen with his prison buzz cut as he starts two life sentences without parole for killing his wife Maggie and son: Judge says they will 'visit you in your sleep' - as his lawyers plan appeal in ten days, Is Murdaugh family behind three other mysterious deaths? "Once again, they have overstepped their bounds as this nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to regulate the morality of private individuals. interface language. content language. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The only thing I was surprised about is that Travis Clark was laicized and is no longer a priest. Court documents show police arrested him and two other women . The altar that Clark and the women had sex on was subsequently removed and burned, with a new plinth since consecrated. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. ", Phillips has not immediately responded to. PEARL RIVER, LOUISIANA: A disgraced former priest at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pearl River, Travis Clark, 39, of Lousiana has pleaded guilty to one count of a felony of having a threesome with two dominatrices on the church's altar in 2020.Travis was arrested when one night on September 30, 2020, a witness noticed lights on inside the church, and on "peering through the window . Clark was suspended from the ministry just one day after this arrest. The only way we can know is if an investigator comes in and goes through his archives, Bourgeois said. Just because you dont like something, doesnt make it criminal. Investigators reportedly determined that the sexual activity between the three adults was entirely consensual, but they took the trio into custody on obscenity charges because the acts took place in view of the public. The witness also said Clark appeared to be recording the act. Clark was pastor of Sts. A witness walked towards the church out of curiosity as the inside lights were on at an unusual time and used a cell phone to record the unexpected sight before contacting the Pearl River police. A former Catholic priest caught engaging in a sex romp with a pair of dominatrices on a church altar in 2020 has pleaded guilty to felony obscenity charges. The trio appeared to be filming themselves. Travis Jhon Clark, 39, pleaded guilty to felony obscenity charges before a district judge in New Orleans, prosecutors announced on Wednesday. Travis John Clark, 39, was accused of engaging in lewd sexual acts . The onlooker began recording a video of the group and called Pearl River Police, who later arrested the Rev. Though Aymond says Clark was removed from ministry, his name still appears on the churchs billboard. Keep up with the latest St. Tammany Parish news by signing up for our weekly newsletter, the North Shore Report, at nola.com/northshorereport. A preliminary hearing is set for May 18, and his trial date is May 24. He saidthat the incident was legal because it didnt occur in public. My clients look forward to their day in court as we continue to fight this baseless allegation.. The case against Clark was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Authement. Travis Clark, 37 . The Archdiocese of New Orleans released a statement saying. The now former Rev. Travis Clark, 39, made the confession as. Former priest, two women formally charged for having sex in Pearl River church, La. Travis Clark, 37, through a church window engaged with two high-heeled, corseted women. Jerry Lambe is a journalist at Law&Crime. French family sues Airbnb after 19-month-old daughter dies from fentanyl overdose while taking a nap at Miami rental - after previous tenants held cocaine-fueled party, Walgreens says it will NOT sell abortion pills in 20 Republican-controlled states - even where it is still legal. Travis Clark, 37, instead faces a charge of felony vandalism over the September 2020 incident at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Orleans. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and New York Law School and previously worked in financial securities compliance and Civil Rights employment law. A Catholic priest caught having a threesome with two porn stars on his church altar will not be charged with obscenity. According to court documents, on the night of September 30th, Father Travis Clark and two women could be seen having sex - in the church sanctuary- on the altar. What upsets me is, why did he have to do that there?," she told WWLTV. Fox News Flash top headlines for November 22. Travis Jhon Clark, 37, then-pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church was arrested, as well as two out of state women: Mindy Lynn Dixon, 41, of Kent, Washington and Melissa Kamon Cheng, 28, of Alpharetta, Georgia. Travis Clark, 37, instead faces a charge of felony vandalism over the. Stripped of his holy vestments and slobbing around barefoot in his pajamas, this is the shamed Louisiana priest caught romping on his church altar with two dominatrices.. Rev. Phillips has not immediately responded to Oxygen.coms request for comment. The fine Clark is responsible for paying comes in addition to the restitution he already paid to the church. Archbishop of New Orleans Gregory Aymond told WWL-TV that Clarks acts were deplorable., His desecration of the altar in Church was demonic, he said. Please include title of story. Archbishop Gregory Aymond accused Clark of being unfaithful to his vocation and violating his commitment to celibacy and also he was using that which was holy to do demonic things.. Travis Clark and two dominatrices, Melissa Cheng, center, and Mindy Dixon, right, were charged with vandalism following an alleged altar threesome at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in 2020. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. (Google Maps). Now her new home is prison. The St. Tammany Parish courthouse in Covington. (WVUE) - Archbishop Gregory Aymond released a video statement reacting to the arrest of former priest Travis Clark. CHILLING UPDATE. My clients look forward to their day in court as we continue to fight this baseless allegation.. Have a tip or story idea? Travis Clark, 37, was a pastor . On Monday, Nov. 21, Travis Clark pleaded guilty before District Judge Ellen Creel, according to the Warren Montgomery District Attorney's Office. Attorney Bradley Phillips, who represents both Dixon and Cheng, told Nola.com on Friday that the district attorneys office "has rightfully chosen to not pursue obscenity charges against my clients.". woman accused of using aunts debit card for 136 DoorDash orders held on preset $18 million bond, Juvenile injured after homemade pipe bomb detonated, police say, Mixed reaction after new altar consecrated following pastors obscenity charges with dominatrices. (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate), Roman Catholic Archbishop Gregory Aymond, pictured entering the Presbytere in New Orleans after celebrating Easter Mass at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on April 12, traveled Saturday to Saints Peter and Paul Church in Pearl River to consecrate a new altar during vigil Mass. Pastor, adult film actor and dominatrix for hire, another woman booked with obscenity. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is closely tallying the number of deviant priests and their actions. Millions of men out of work and lonely. Clark, Cheng and Dixon were all released from jail after posting bond shortly after their arrests. Market data provided by Factset. RELATED: Mixed reaction after new altar consecrated following pastors obscenity charges with dominatrices. The two were sentenced to two years of probation. Clark and the women both dominatrixes who were wearing corsets and high heels were caught after a passer-by strolled past the church, noticed a light was on inside, and looked through a window, only to be confronted with the trio having sex. 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Our prayers remain with all those who were hurt by the actions of these two men, and in a particular way, we offer our prayers for healing of survivors of abuse.. My clients look forward to their day in court as we continue to fight this baseless allegation.". woman accused of using aunts debit card for 136 DoorDash orders held on preset $18 million bond, Juvenile injured after homemade pipe bomb detonated, police say. Clark was caught having sex on the alter with two women, Cheng and Dixon (pictured in their mugshots) were also arrested and sentenced to two years of probation. Clark was arrested after filming himself having sex with two dominatrices inside the church on September 30. Clark has paid restitution in the amount of $8,000.. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Clark was ordained a priest in 2013 and became pastor of St. Peter and Paul last year. Travis Clark went . As Alex is jailed for horrific executions of his wife and son rumors abound in the sleepy South Carolina town of Walterboro - and locals say 'most people don't believe he is the killer', Woman, 31, who had sex with 13-year-old boy and then became pregnant with his child will serve NO jail time in plea deal, 'Are y'all OK in LA?!' Dixon, an adult film actor, and Cheng were allegedly wearing high heels and corsets as Clark handled sex toys. Mindy Dixon, 43, (left) and Melissa Cheng, 25, (right), along with Clark, were initially charged with obscenity following the alleged threesome at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Pearl river, September 2020, A passerby noticed the lights in the Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church (pictured). or redistributed. "Defendant Clark was not seeking pecuniary gain or fame in any form. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. His obscene behavior was deplorable. Advertisement Clark had been the pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church Catholic in. Oregon man arrested in cold case murder of estranged wife more than 30 years after she was strangled to death, College Park mayor faces more than 50 counts of possessing and distributing child pornography. Reverend Travis Clark, 37, worked as a priest at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Pearl River, Louisiana. Clark, dressed in a dark suit, appeared before District Judge Ellen Creel to enter his plea, accompanied by his attorney Kevin McNary. Travis Clark, 39, appeared at the Covington courthouse on Monday in front of Judge Ellen Creel and pleaded guilty. A personwas walking by Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Pearl River on Sept. 30 when they allegedly saw a half-clothed priest through the church's windows engaging in a threesome with two corset-clad dominatrices on top of the altar, Nola.com reported last year. It's unclear if the video was ever released, but Clark is set to appear back in court on January 20 to ensure the trio will never gain profit from the act, according to NOLA.com. Clark is now one of four priests within the past week Aymond has had to address for sexual abuse or obscenity. "Im upset for all of us, the parishioners of the church. Judge Ellen Creelof the 22nd Judicial District on Monday sentenced Travis Jhon Clark to a three-year suspended prison sentence and three years of probation, prosecutors announced Monday. "Autism is a cognitive disability that inhibited Defendant Clark's understanding of the terms of the plea agreement," the filing said, adding that Clark never received a copy of the agreement. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. An unidentified witness reportedly saw Mindy Dixon, 41, and Melissa Cheng, 23, allegedly having sex with Clark - who was half naked. Clark was busted in an unholy trinity with Mindy Dixon and Melissa Cheng on September 30, 2020. In a statement last week, Archbishop Gregory Aymond said the Archdiocese is cooperating with law enforcement and will petition the Vatican for the laicization of both Travis and Patrick Wattigny, another former north shore priest who was indicted last week on a count of molestation of a juvenile. (WVUE) - Archbishop Gregory Aymond released a video statement reacting to the arrest of former priest Travis Clark. The church's former leader, 37-year-old Travis Clark was arrested Oct. 1 on an obscenity charge after reportedly being caught having sex with two women inside the church Sept. 30. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Rev. Clarks lawyer Bradley Phillips said it was rightful not to pursue obscenity charges because the priest and his lovers were having consensual sex in a private place. Phillips also lashed the vandalism charge as prurient, saying: Once again, they have overstepped their bounds as this nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to regulate the morality of private individuals. Travis Clark was sentenced to. An attorney representing them said they were out of town and requested the court set a new arraignment date. Former Priest And Two Dominatrixes Charged With Vandalism After Alleged Altar Threesome Travis Jhon Clark allegedly engaged in a threesome with Mindy Lynn Dixon and Melissa Kamon Cheng on top of an altar that has now been burned by the church. The two identify as dominatrices on their social media pages. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Kellyanne Conway and husband George SPLIT after 22 years following admission in her 2022 memoir that her husband's criticism of Trump was a betrayal, Where IS Gavin? He has paid restitution to the Archdiocese of New Orleans, which destroyed the altar. Theyve now penned a letter to Pope Francis asking him to send someone to investigate the archbishop and his records. Dixon and Cheng were recording themselves performing sex acts on Clark using a phone and camera on a tripod, Nola.com reported. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ST. TAMMANY PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE, Former priest accused of altar sex in Pearl River church pleads not guilty to vandalism, Priest recorded having group sex on altar of Pearl River church, police say; 3 arrested, Obscenity charge filed against former priest, dominatrices for alleged Pearl River altar tryst. The original obscenity charge was filed after prosecutors alleged the three were having sex in a place open to the public view.. The defense also said that Clarkhas been diagnosed with autism and did not knowingly enter into an agreement to waive his constitutional right to free speech. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, Attorney Bradley Phillips, who represents both Dixon and Cheng, told, on Friday that the district attorneys office "has rightfully chosen to not pursue obscenity charges against my clients. Professional dominatrix duo Lady Vi and Empress Ming Louisiana Catholic priest, 37, is arrested for recording Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. Dixon had bragged about her plans with Clark the day before traveling to New Orleans, writing on social media that she planned to 'defile a house of God' with another dominatrix. Travis Clark, a former priest who was arrested last October after a passerby allegedly saw him having sex with two corset-clad women on the altar of a Pearl River Catholic church pleaded not guiltyMonday to a charge of institutional vandalism, a felony. Obscenity charges against a former priest and two professional dominatrices have been dropped, . Market data provided by Factset. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. Police seized sex toys, stage lights, a cell phone and a tripod-mounted camera. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! All three have been charged with one count of institutional vandalism. Clark was caught in the unholy act more than two years ago when a passerby noticed lights on in the Pearl River church - and when he peered in through the window, he was stunned at what he saw. FLASHBACK: LOUISIANA PRIEST ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED THREESOME ON CHURCH ALTAR, Clark pleaded guilty to felony obscenity on Monday. How long have Keir Starmer and Sue Gray been secretly cooking up their plot? If convicted, they could be sentenced to up to two years in prison, with or without hard labor, and a fine of not more than $1,000 or both, according to the DA's office. They were allegedly having intercourse with each other as a camera and cellphone appeared to be recording from a tripod on the altar, a local news outlet reported. When the details became clear, we had the altar removed and burned. There was a problem saving your notification. (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate), The front door Sts. The two other defendants in the case, Mindy Dixon and Melissa Cheng, each pleaded guilty in July to a single count of misdemeanor institutional vandalism. Clark had faced a count of felony institutional vandalism, but it was dropped as part of the plea agreement. (TCD) -- A 39-year-old former priest recently pleaded guilty to felony obscenity after engaging in a threesome with two dominatrices on a church altar in 2020. You have permission to edit this article. All three were then arrested on obscenity charges because they were in view of the public. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Travis Clark, 39, a former Catholic priest in Louisiana, pleaded guilty on Monday to an obscenity charge after he was caught having a threesomeon the altar of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in 2020, The altar of Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church during a regularly scheduled Mass. All English Franais. Clark, who was a pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church . Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 22, 2022 / 15:40 pm. A witness in Pearl River, northeast of New Orleans, called police on Sept. 30 after allegedly viewing Rev. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk, For more stories like this,check our news page, Get your need-to-know Clark was removed from his post with the churchone day after his arrest. The altar was replaced by the church. While the three wereoriginally charged with obscenity countslast fall, on Friday the St. Tammany Parish District Attorneys Office announced those charges had been reduced. A former Catholic priest who pleaded guilty last month to a felony obscenity charge for performing sex acts with two professional dominatrices on the altar of a Pearl River church has been held. Fr. We acknowledge the charges filed against Travis Clark and Patrick Wattigny by the St. Tammany District Attorneys Office. Travis Clark and two dominatrices, Melissa Cheng, center, and Mindy Dixon, right, were charged with vandalism following an alleged altar threesome at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in 2020. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Clark was ordained a priest in 2013. Father Travis Clark, 37, and the two women he was caught with making a pornographic video, each faces up to two years imprisonment if found guilty. The plea agreement banned Clark from gaining money or notoriety from the case, and the DA said an interview Clark gave to WDSU-TV following his sentencing broke that pledge. Each one could face up to three years in prison if convicted. A Catholic priest caught having a threesome with two porn stars on his church altar will not be charged with obscenity. Court documents show police arrested him and two other women: Mindy Dixon and Melissa Cheng. In addition to the suspended sentence and probation, Judge Creel also ordered Clark to pay a fine of $1,000. The trio was caught on the alter inside St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pearl River with a stage light, sex toys and a cell phone on the tripod. The witness saw the priest was stripped down on the altar and engaging in sex acts with the corseted women in high-heeled boots, according to prosecutors. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Clark was caught in the act at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pearl River on Sept. 30, 2020, when a passerby saw him through a window engaged with two high-heeled, corseted women. 'The haters have won': Isaiah Washington - who was fired from Grey's Anatomy for gay slur - announces early retirement from acting in lengthy Twitter rant, 'Don't go into the mountains! Once again, they have overstepped their bounds as this nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to regulate the morality of private individuals. A former Catholic priest caught engaging in a sex romp with a pair of dominatrices on a church altar in 2020 has pleaded guilty to felony obscenity charges. Police alleged the obscene acts "occurred on the altar, which is clearly visible from the street," according to court records obtained by the outlet. ': Sheriff's warning to Californians after 17 feet of snow blankets San Bernardino Mountains where residents have been trapped for TEN DAYS, Biden gives hero Vietnam veteran the Medal of Honor after waiting 60 years because the Army lost his paperwork: Army Special Forces Colonel Paris Davis risked his life multiple times in 1965 ambush, Alex Murdaugh's head is shaved as he is booked into South Carolina prison fortress for weeks of evaluation before being sent to a maximum security facility housing the 'worst of the worst', ASHLEIGH BANFIELD: A digital star witness brought down lying, family-killing father Alex Murdaugh and it was his murdered son's cellphone. Travis John Clark, 39, pled guilty Monday in connection with the incident at a church last fall. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He has lost control of his priests. You have permission to edit this article. Clark was sentenced to three years in prison, but Creel decided to suspend his time in jail and instead punished him with three years of probation and a $1,000 fine. The two women, Mindy Dixon and Melissa Cheng, were later identified as dominatrices; Dixon had reportedly written on social media shortly before the encounter that she and another dominatrix were on their way to defile a house of God. They each pleaded guilty in July to a misdemeanor count of institutional vandalism and got two years of supervised probation. A lawyer for the two dominatrices said that they had been hired for 'role-play' and were performing consensual acts when they were arrested on the night of September 30, 2020. [Images St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office], Have a tip we should know? SNAP leader, Kevin Bourgeois says with such a cluster of sexual abuse and obscenity in the ranks of the priesthood, he fears for other possible sexual abuse, and the lack of judgment he says starts at the top. The Archbishop continued by reiterating the church is a holy place, and said that when it is used for unholy things and has been desecrated, we must drive away the evil spirit, That is what we do today.. Clark had also been charged with one count of institutional vandalism, but prosecutors agreed to drop the charge as part of his plea agreement, per the Advocate. Clark, 37, remains free on $25,000 bond, and Cheng and Dixon both remain free on $7,500 bond. In this situation its an incredibly specific set of facts and conditions that seem very unlikely to ever happen again, Kennedy reportedly told the Advocate, suggesting that Dixon and Cheng were far more likely to find themselves in similarly hot water. (St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office) Clark, who has been the pastor at the church since last year, was arrested for allegedly having. A former priest has pleaded guilty to a charge of obscenity after he made a sex tape of him having "demonic" sex on an altar with a dominatrix duo. The archdiocese told CNA that the priest had "never before been the subject of any sexual misconduct claims." A 39-year-old defrocked Catholic priest in Louisiana was spared time behind bars after formally pleading guilty to one count of felony obscenity for making a sex tape with two dominatrices on the altar of his former church in 2020. While condemning Clarks alleged sexual exploits, Aymond asked the congregation not to judge the church or priesthood as a whole by Clarks actions.