Richard Jude Daschbach, Illicit Sexual Conduct, Washington District of Columbia 2024

WASINGTON DC – A shocking indictment has been handed down against former priest Richard Jude Daschbach, 84, for his alleged involvement in illicit sexual conduct with minor victims in Timor Leste.

According to court documents, Daschbach operated a “shelter home” for children in Timor Leste, where he allegedly engaged in illicit sexual conduct with minor victims starting in at least 2013. Victims disclosed that Daschbach sexually abused them when they were children and resided in the shelter home.

Daschbach was defrocked by the Catholic church after some of the victims disclosed the abuse to the church. He is currently facing related child sexual exploitation charges in Timor Leste.

Daschbach is also facing indictment for wire fraud in connection with his fundraising activity for the shelter home in the Northern District of California.

“This indictment represents a significant step toward accountability for harms suffered by multiple vulnerable children allegedly victimized by this defendant,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

Daschbach is charged with seven counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place, Timor Leste. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison per count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

Daschbach will stand trial for his alleged crimes, which have sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice for the victims.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

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