Kidnapper Is a Religious Fanatic

Surprise, Surprise: Kidnapper Is a Religious Fanatic
Making headlines these past few days is the safe recovery of a 29-year-old woman who was kidnapped 18 years ago by a registered sex offender. For nearly two decades, Phillip Garrido (l.), 58, allegedly kept Jaycee Lee Dugard locked away in an elaborate tented compound and fathered two children with her in El Dorado County, Calif. With Garrido's arrest come new, disturbing details as it turns out he was a religious fanatic who claimed God spoke to him. It also appears that Garrido maintained a blog called Voices Revealed where he declared that God had enabled him to speak to people through their minds. In April 2008, Garrido registered a corporation called God's Desire. It isn't clear if his religious zealotry drove him to kidnap Dugard, but it's certain he (or God) had no desire to release her anytime soon.


Minister Pleads Guilty to Sex Charges
In Benton, Ark, a former music minister has pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual indecency with a minor. David Pierce, yhe former First Baptist Church music minister was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He had been charged in Saline County with more than 50 counts involving teenage boys. Authorities have said the charges involve four boys who were about 15 when they were abused. He was fired by the church after being arrested after serving as music minister for nearly three decades.


Pastor to Stand Trial for Online Sex Crimes
In Salt Lake City, a former pastor for the Church of God of Prophecy was ordered to stand trial for allegedly exposing himself on a Web camera to an undercover police officer who was posing as a minor. William J. Blanscet, 67, is charged with four counts of third-degree felony dealing in material harmful to a minor, each punishable by up to five years in prison. During other online conversations, Blanscet showed his genitals and would masturbate in front of a Web camera, according to charges. Blanscet resigned in May, a week before charges were filed.