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For the third time, charges filed against former pastor

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Joseph R. Fultz

ELKHORN — Charges of failure to report child abuse and neglect were filed Jan. 20 for the third time against Joseph R. Fultz, a former Walworth County pastor. The charges twice have been dismissed by Judge Robert Kennedy.

Fultz faces five misdemeanor charges of failing to report child abuse. Police said he neglected to share with authorities his knowledge of a group of boys who were fondling and performing sex acts on one another, according to the complaint.

The alleged crimes occurred between 2009 and 2011, when Fultz was a pastor at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Walworth. The complaint references six boys ages 5 to 12, who police say developed a club where they performed sex acts at the church, Abbey Resort in Fontana and Faith Christian School in Williams Bay.

Fultz acknowledged to police in April he knew about the incidents, according to the complaint. The mother of one boy said Fultz spoke with the children about the incidents and told them not to tell anyone.

The complaint indicated Fultz told the superintendent of the district church and another pastor. They agreed the incident was not reportable because of the children's ages, according to court records.

State law requires clergy to report child abuse.

Fultz met with parents of at least one child and various administrators about the incident, according to the complaint. However, it never suggests he met with the children themselves, Kennedy said.

According to the current criminal complaint, the duties of the senior pastor involve assisting his congregation "in watching over the spiritual care of the congregation."

A status conference on the charges is scheduled for Feb. 24 at the Walworth County Judicial Center.