A minor assault charge has been brought against a former youth pastor in Madison, as part of an ongoing state investigation into abuse by clergy and faith leaders in Wisconsin.
During his time as a youth pastor, Lane served at the Faith Reformed Church located in Wisconsin Rapids, which was a member of the Alliance of Reformed Churches. Lane hails from Colorado.
According to the complaint, during the investigators’ interview with Lane, he admitted to having a “relationship” with a girl in the youth group that eventually turned inappropriate. Lane recounted instances where he kissed her and engaged in inappropriate touching with her over the years that the abuse took place.
According to the complaint, Lane joined the church back in 2000 and is believed to have stepped down from his position around 2004.
Before reporting the abuse to the Department of Justice (DOJ) via the Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative website, the victim had not informed either law enforcement or the church about the abuse.
A faith leader is facing criminal charges for the third time, according to the latest report.
In 2021, Attorney General Josh Kaul initiated an inquiry into the abuse committed by spiritual leaders. The team of investigators handling the case has received almost 250 reports of abuse. Each report is thoroughly investigated, and the survivors are provided with support and resources during the process.
Law enforcement authorities are only able to pursue charges in cases where it is deemed possible. However, there are instances where prosecution is not feasible, such as when the offender has passed away or when a significant amount of time has elapsed since the crime was committed.
The reason why Lane was able to face charges was because he fled the state after the abuse took place and never came back. This action halted the time period for victims to report abuse to law enforcement.
What We Know About Josh Kaul’s Investigation into Clergy Abuse in Wisconsin
It has been almost two years since Josh Kaul, the Attorney General of Wisconsin, began investigating cases of clergy abuse in the state. As the investigation continues, here’s what we know so far about Kaul’s work.
Despite the length of the investigation, very little information has been released publicly about its progress. Kaul has not made any public statements about the investigation, and his office has declined to comment on the matter.
However, we do know that Kaul has been working with local law enforcement agencies and the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of Crime Victim Services on the investigation. The Attorney General has also encouraged survivors of clergy abuse to come forward and share their stories with law enforcement.
It is unclear when the investigation will be completed or if any charges will be filed. But for now, Kaul remains committed to pursuing justice for survivors of clergy abuse in Wisconsin.