Shawn Cory Gooden

Summary

Cory Gooden was a Mormon church member who sexually assaulted children in Virginia and allegedly also in Pennsylvania, years before being called as a Mormon bishop and stake presidency member in Pennsylvania.

Gooden was a second counselor and then a first counselor in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania LDS stake.

2024-02-17: FLOODLIT is now covering the criminal case against current LDS stake president Rhett Hintze, who learned of alleged sexual abuse by Gooden in 2020 but failed to report it to police, according to Pennsylvania state police.

2023-11-18: Cory Gooden was sentenced in Virginia this week. We’re waiting on court document copies from the Prince William County Circuit Court.

As of November 18, 2023, Gooden is awaiting a status hearing in Berks County, Pennsylvania court – Docket Number: CP-06-CR-0002663-2023. That hearing is set for December 20.

Gooden was sentenced to at least 2.5 years in prison (up to 5 years) and up to at least 5 years of supervised probation upon release. We’re gathering more information. Thank you for your support!

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2023-07-28: BREAKING: Former LDS bishop, scout leader who pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse charges in Virginia now faces MORE charges in Pennsylvania

FLOODLIT is following this case thanks to your donations.

News: https://www.abc27.com/local-news/former-lebanon-county-lds-church-scout-leader-facing-rape-charges/

The accused “remains in Virginia awaiting sentencing and is now also awaiting trial in Pennsylvania. He’s facing charges including rape of a person less than 13, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 13, and corruption of minors.”

• 2023-07-20: pleaded guilty to four felony charges – Prince William County Circuit – Criminal Division – Case numbers: CR23000583-00, CR23000584-00, CR23000585-00, CR23000586-00
• 9/13/2022: awaiting extradition from North Londonderry, PA to VA
• Bishop from 2016 to 2020, alleged abuse was 1997 to 2000.
• Gooden served as a stake high council member and counselor in the stake presidency of the Harrisburg Stake at some point between the years of 2007-2014.
• Gooden was released as 2nd counselor in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania stake presidency on July 26, 2014. On that date, he became the 1st counselor in the stake presidency. He was still serving in that capacity as of July 16, 2016.
• criminal investigation conducted by Prince William County Special Victims Bureau detectives
• alleged abuse occurred in several locations in the Woodbridge, VA area
• was allegedly living in Palmyra, PA as of 2022 prior to arrest on 9/5/2022
• criminal charges: between 9/6/22 and 9/13/22; two counts of indecent liberties, two counts of forcible sodomy, and five counts of aggravated sexual battery
• alleged victims: 2 children, between ages of 9 and 13
• crimes allegedly took place in the Woodbridge, PA area between January 1997 and December 2000
• connections to several Midstate organizations; was a lawyer with the Thomas, Thomas & Hafer law firm; was previously a volunteer board member with the Boy Scouts of America New Birth of Freedom Council