was an LDS bishop in Lebanon, Pennsylvania from 2016-2020; arrested in 2022 and charged with sexual abuse of two girls in Virginia from 1997-2000; pleaded guilty in July 2023 in Virginia to four felony counts; sentencing hearing scheduled for November 2023; charged in July 2023 in Pennsylvania with more child sex abuse charges

About Shawn Gooden

Shawn Gooden Mormon Sex Crime Case Summary

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

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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 females, 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
  • at time of arrest, was serving as bishop in the Lebanon Ward, Harrisburg PA stake; had been in that position since at least May 2017.

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Online sources
  1. Thanks to Bishop Shawn Gooden of the Lebanon Ward for sharing these great photos from Saturday at the Philadelphia Temple.
    view source details | 7 May 2017 | Harrisburg Stake - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  2. Police report: Family member assaulted members from 1997-2000
    view source details | 10 Sep 2022 | Potomac Local News
  3. Former Lebanon County Boy Scouts, LDS official charged in child sex assault case
    view source details | 13 Sep 2022 | ABC 27
  4. Lebanon County man accused of sexually assaulting 2 juvenile victims in Virginia more than 25 years ago
    view source details | 13 Sep 2022 | FOX 43
  5. Police: 47-year-old Palmyra man arrested for decades-old sexual assault case in Virginia
    view source details | 14 Sep 2022 | Lebanon Daily News
  6. Case numbers: CR23000583-00, CR23000584-00, CR23000585-00, CR23000586-00
    view source details | 22 Jul 2023 | Prince William County Circuit - Criminal Division
  7. Former Lebanon County LDS Church, scout leader facing rape charges
    view source details | 28 Jul 2023 | ABC27
Online sources excerpts

 

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