
About Shawn Gooden
- Latest update: July 2023: pleaded guilty in Virginia to four felony counts; sentencing hearing scheduled for November 2023; faces more charges in Pennsylvania
- born 1974
LDS mission: yes - - Ohio Cleveland (Spanish speaking)
LDS temple marriage: yes
Criminal case result:
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
- Thanks to Bishop Shawn Gooden of the Lebanon Ward for sharing these great photos from Saturday at the Philadelphia Temple.
- Police report: Family member assaulted members from 1997-2000
- Former Lebanon County Boy Scouts, LDS official charged in child sex assault case
- Lebanon County man accused of sexually assaulting 2 juvenile victims in Virginia more than 25 years ago
- Police: 47-year-old Palmyra man arrested for decades-old sexual assault case in Virginia
- Case numbers: CR23000583-00, CR23000584-00, CR23000585-00, CR23000586-00
- Former Lebanon County LDS Church, scout leader facing rape charges
Online sources excerpts
-
Thanks to Bishop Shawn Gooden of the Lebanon Ward for sharing these great photos from Saturday at the Philadelphia Temple.
Source type:
Publisher: Harrisburg Stake - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Date published/accessed: 7 May 2017
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back to online sources listPolice report: Family member assaulted members from 1997-2000
Source type:
Publisher: Potomac Local News
Date published/accessed: 10 Sep 2022
archive 1 | archive 2 -
back to online sources listFormer Lebanon County Boy Scouts, LDS official charged in child sex assault case
Source type:
Publisher: ABC 27
Date published/accessed: 13 Sep 2022
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back to online sources listLebanon County man accused of sexually assaulting 2 juvenile victims in Virginia more than 25 years ago
Source type:
Publisher: FOX 43
Date published/accessed: 13 Sep 2022
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back to online sources listPolice: 47-year-old Palmyra man arrested for decades-old sexual assault case in Virginia
Source type:
Publisher: Lebanon Daily News
Date published/accessed: 14 Sep 2022
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back to online sources listCase numbers: CR23000583-00, CR23000584-00, CR23000585-00, CR23000586-00
Source type:
Publisher: Prince William County Circuit - Criminal Division
Date published/accessed: 22 Jul 2023
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back to online sources listFormer Lebanon County LDS Church, scout leader facing rape charges
Source type:
Publisher: ABC27
Date published/accessed: 28 Jul 2023
archive 1 | archive 2
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