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highplainsdem

(58,195 posts) Mon Sep 1, 2025, 03:10 PM Sep 1

Prison chaplain at ICE facility in Pennsylvania accused of sexually abusing immigration detainee

Source: Independent

A Baptist chaplain at a privately-run ICE lockup in Pennsylvania is facing accusations of sexually abusing a detainee over the course of more than a year, beginning shortly after he gained her trust by gifting her a Bible.

Pastor Mark Melhorn, 67, engaged in "extraordinary misconduct” at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center “under the guise of providing pastoral services,” according to a federal lawsuit obtained by The Independent.

-snip-

On numerous occasions, Melhorn approached Doe and placed his hands on her head as if he was praying for her, but instead ran them down her body suggestively, according to the complaint. From there, it says things got worse until Melhorn one day entered Doe’s cell and allegedly sexually assaulted her. He then warned Doe not to tell anybody about what had happened, because “even if she did, nothing would happen.”

Doe in fact reported Melhorn – twice – to higher-ups at Moshannon, the complaint says. And, according to the complaint, nothing happened.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ice-immigration-prison-chaplain-abuse-lawsuit-b2816820.html

29 replies

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Highlight:

Prison chaplain at ICE facility in Pennsylvania accused of sexually abusing immigration detainee (Original Post) highplainsdem Sep 1 OP

Not only abuse (again) at the confluence of cops and clergy, but bonus points RockRaven Sep 1 #1

How many of the detainees are being raped by those in charge of them? Irish_Dem Sep 1 #3

Baptist of course CanonRay Sep 1 #2

Often it's the "youth pastor" who is the culprit Justice Brandeis Sep 1 #7

Duh! malaise Sep 1 #4

The Epstein Administration is in full swing! Martin68 Sep 1 #5

The assaults occurred during the prior administration FBaggins Sep 1 #16

This administration is clearly dedicated to protecting Epstein's guests from prosececution, and this post is more Martin68 Sep 2 #28

What the fuck is wrong with these people? Aviation Pro Sep 1 #6

NOT a Drag Queen! /nt sdfernando Sep 1 #8

It's almost mandatory that republicans/pastors blame drag queens/trans/others. Norrrm Sep 1 #9

Trump Bible? twodogsbarking Sep 1 #10

*pretends to be shocked* sakabatou Sep 1 #11

As soon as I saw the headline I knew it would be at the Moshannon Valley facility. Wiz Imp Sep 1 #12

"Pastor" huh? Anybody can be a pasture. Charges pending?? Evolve Dammit Sep 1 #13

Ohh ohh wait... lastTexasDem Sep 1 #14

In other news, soldierant Sep 1 #15

They probably specifically asked for the Hornedfrog2000 Sep 1 #17

How happy the new youth pastor must have been to find out that the young girls were actually "locked up in cells". FadedMullet Sep 1 #18

Absolutely outrageous, but not surprising. I hope there is a hell. Joinfortmill Sep 1 #19

Why there must be separation of church and state 2na fisherman Sep 1 #20

"For Jesus!" of course. Grins Sep 1 #21

A "pastor" sexually abusing vulnerable people.... AZ8theist Sep 1 #22

And like this is a surprise?... nt El Mimbreno Sep 1 #23

And it ain't his first time NBachers Sep 1 #24

K&R jfz9580m Sep 1 #25

Remember? Trump only hires the best people. Norrrm Sep 2 #26

Has Trump promoted him yet? Orrex Sep 2 #27

Beware of the 3-C'. republianmushroom Sep 2 #29

RockRaven

(18,008 posts)

1. Not only abuse (again) at the confluence of cops and clergy, but bonus points