The Rev. Kenneth Hendricks is under arrest in the Philippines, after U. S. and Filipino officials learned of allegations of sexual abuse against the
The Rev. Kenneth Hendricks is under arrest in the Philippines, after U. S. and Filipino officials learned of allegations of sexual abuse against the Catholic priest — including accounts that he “had a number of minor boys residing with him,” prosecutors say.
Hendricks, 77, faces charges of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, a federal crime that could result in up to 30 years in prison. The case is being run by the U. S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Ohio — where Hendricks was previously based.
So far, the authorities have identified 10 victims — including four who came forward at a town hall meeting held in the Philippines. One victim told agents the priest sexually abused him numerous times, starting in 2012, when he was around 12. Another said he was first abused when he was seven.
All of the accounts had similarities, said U. S. Attorney Ben Glassman, with the boys saying they met Hendricks through his official work in the church; some had inquired about becoming altar boys. Their shocking stories account for dozens and dozens of sexual attacks.
In the Philippines, Hendricks lived and worked in Naval, the main town in the island province of Biliran. Federal officials accuse him of leading a depraved existence there. According to a news release from Glassman’s office:
“Hendricks allegedly had a number of minor boys residing with him. It is alleged he insisted they take baths together, and would molest the victims alone or with other boys. The priest allegedly warned the victims that if they told anyone they would all go to prison.”
The U. S. attorney’s office also released partial transcripts of a conversation between Hendricks and one of the victims, in which they discussed what might happen if the boy spoke out about being abused.
