More Trouble For Kanakuk Kamp - This Time In Florida:

Edward L. Ringheim (mug shot OCSO - FL)

A Windermere, Florida man who worked as a volunteer for K-Life in Orlando has been charged with  allegedly molesting at least two young boys at his home there.

Edward L. Ringheim, 39, is facing seven felony charges of lewd and lascivious molestation in Orange County, and was fired from Universal Orlando after his arrest last week. Ringheim treated young men to free trips to Universal Studios by using his employee pass, one of the victims told authorities

Parents also let Ringheim accompany their children to Kanakuk's Branson, Missouri facility according to published reports.  Investigators say he brought about 30 kids to Kanakuk for summer camp over a four year period.  

Orange County Judge Deb Blechman ordered that Ringheim not have any contact with Christian youth group Orlando K-Life and set his bond at $10,000.  He is also prohibited from texting and contact with any of the victims - he has also been banned from using the Internet, including social media sites like Facebook.

Sources close to the investigation in Florida say the are interviewing additional people who may have been victims of Ringheim's.

A spokesperson for K-Life President Kyle Unruh, Christie Stewart, says, "K-Life Orlando is part of our organization.  They're an affiliated chapter - but we have no comment at this time about the allegations in Florida." 

 

Ringheim was released on bond and outfitted with a GPS monitoring device.
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In an unrelated matter involving a civil lawsuit filed in Missouri against Kanakuk Kamp and Pete Newman by one of former camp director Newman's sexual molestation victims, lawyers for the camp have asked for a change of venue from Taney County.

Newman pleaded guilty last year to multiple sex charges involving underage campers.  He is serving two life sentences, plus 30 years for those crimes.
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Keith Alan Cary of the Kansas City law firm of Franke, Schultz & Mullen has entered his appearance as lead attorney for Kanakuk Kamp.  Mike Merrell and G. Rick DiGiorgio are representing the victim in Missouri.  Lawyers are due in court on April 7th in Forsyth for motion hearings involving the civil case in Missouri.

Another victim of Newman's has hired The Turley Law Firm in Dallas who has filed a federal lawsuit against Joe White, the camp, their subsidiaries and Newman.

Federal Lawsuit Filed In Texas Against Kankuk, White And Newman:



Peter "Pete" Daniel Newman (DOC mug shot)

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 A federal lawsuit has been filed in Dallas, Texas, against Kanakuk Kamp Ministries, Kanakuk Heritage, Inc., Joe White and former camp director Peter "Pete" Newman.

In February of last year Newman pleaded guilty, without a plea agreement, to two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, three counts of second-degree statutory sodomy and three counts of enticement of a child that took place at the sports camp based in Taney County.  He was sentenced last June to two life sentences, plus thirty years.

The federal lawsuit in Texas was filed by the parents of John Doe I. The father of the boy says he made the decision to send his son to Kanakuk after seeing Joe White speak at a Promise Keepers meeting at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas.
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Kanakuk Kamp owner Joe T. White

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Jane and John Doe say their son attended the camp during the summers of 2005, 2006 and 2007 when he was aged 10 - 12.

Court documents filed with the Texas lawsuit say that Newman was allowed to work at Kanakuk Kamps for almost a decade after incidents of Newman's nudity with minor campers and inappropriate behavior came to the attention of Kanakuk Kamp owner Joe T. White and others at Kanakuk Kamp in 1999.
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In the probable cause statement used to charge Newman in Taney County in September of 2009 an investigator writes:

"Between 2005 and 2008, Pete Newman became a close friend of  by attending family dinners, sleepovers, bible studies, taking vacations together and writing letters. Pete would hold one-on-one sessions with (the boy) in Pete's hot tub (at Pete's residence) and would request they be naked. Pete would discuss life's struggles with (him) and talk about masturbation. Pete would explain that if (the boy) would masturbate with him in his hot tub then there would be no lust and therefore (the boy) would not be sinning."
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Attorney Linda Turley

Court documents say that as early as 1999, White and Kanakuk Kamps (et. al) knew that Newman was riding four wheelers nude with "kampers," who were minor children, entrusted to the care of the defendants.  Instead of firing Newman, the lawsuit says, he "was placed on probation," by the company.

It also reveals that in 2003 Newman's questionable behavior with young male campers was again brought to the attention of White after he and a group of young boys "streaked" through the camp.  Again, Newman remained on Kanakuk's payroll.

The lawsuit maintains that because Kanakuk and White continued to employ Newman after becoming aware of his inappropriate behavior "they approved of his conduct."

Linda Turley, of the Turley Law Firm in Dallas says, "This case is one in our continuing effort to obtain justice for the victims of childhood sexual abuse.  By shining a light on this very serious issue we hope these Defendants and others will take the necessary steps to keep sexual predators away from children."

Last month attorney's Mike Merrell and G. Rick DiGiorgio filed the first civil lawsuit against the camp, White and Newman in Taney County.

Turley says Kanakuk has actively recruited Texas campers for years at informational meetings, by mail, email and phone. 

Newman traveled around the country recruiting campers for Kankuk and often stayed with the families of young boys who say he abused them not only at the camp, but also inside their homes when he represented the business.

Sex charges were filed against Newman in La Plata County, Colorado following a similar incident with a young boy at Kanakuk's K-Colorado facility (which was sold to White's daughter and son-in-law and has been renamed KIVU) in September of 2008.  Those charges were dismissed following Newman's double life sentence in Missouri.

Authorities in Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama and other states have expressed interest in pursuing similar charges against Newman.

The federal lawsuit says that John Doe I has suffered medical and psychological injuries and will continue to need treatment,  "The childhood sexual abuse of John Doe I in the context of what was purported to be Christian ministry further complicated his injuries and treatment."

The Turley Law Firm won a $119 Million dollar judgement against the Catholic Diocese in Texas for covering up the conduct of a pedophile priest.  Defrocked Roman Catholic priest Ruldoph "Rudy" Kos was convicted of multiple counts of child molestation against altar boys and is serving four life sentences.

The plaintiff's want a jury trial and are seeking damages in excess of $75,000.

Colorado Will Not Pursue Charges Against Pete Newman:

Peter "Pete" Daniel Newman (prison mug shot)

Authorities in Colorado have decided NOT to pursue sexual misconduct charges against former Kanakuk Kamp director Peter "Pete" Newman.
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The warrant for Newman's arrest in La Plata County Colorado was quashed, and pending charges against him were dismissed without prejudice after he received multiple life sentences in Missouri for sex crimes involving young boys who were campers at the Branson based Christian youth camp.

In January, Newman was arrested inside a Taney County courtroom on the Colorado arrest warrant, which was sealed.  In Colorado a defendant is not officially charged with a crime until he or she appears in front of a judge.

In February, Newman pleaded guilty, without a plea agreement, to two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, three counts of second-degree statutory sodomy and three counts of enticement of a child in Taney County.

One part of the probable cause statement filed with the charges gives an insight into how Newman enticed kids at the Christian camp to play naked basketball and take part in nude bible study in a hot tub.

If they masturbated with him, or performed sex acts on him, it wouldn't be a sin:

"Between 2005 and 2008, Pete Newman became a close friend of  by attending family dinners, sleepovers, bible studies, taking vacations together and writing letters. Pete would hold one-on-one sessions with (the boy) in Pete's hot tub (at Pete's residence) and would request they be naked. Pete would discuss life's struggles with (him) and talk about masturbation. Pete would explain that if (the boy) would masturbate with him in his hot tub then there would be no lust and therefore (the boy) would not be sinning."

Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell dropped some charges against Newman in exchange for his guilty plea and his right to appeal any sentence.

Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell

At the time the arrest warrant was issued in Colorado, Sam Eggleston, an investigator for the La Plata County Sheriff's office, said allegations against Newman involved the sexual assault of an underage boy who was a camper at Kanakuk's K-Colorado facility in September of 2008.  

That camp, which is located near Vallectito, has since been sold to the daughter and son-in-law of Joe White (who owns Kanakuk) and renamed Kivu.

When reached by phone this week, Eggleston said, "Prosecutors here were pleased with the sentences that Newman received in Missouri and don't think pursuing charges against him here would add anything to the sentences he is already serving there."

Because the charges in Colorado were dismissed without prejudice, prosecutors there can refile them at any time.  "Colorado does not a have a statutory time limit for charging someone with any offense involving a sexual assault on a child," said Eggleston.

Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama and other states had expressed interest in pursuing similar charges against Newman.  It is unclear if those states will follow Colorado's lead.
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Newman is now housed at Jefferson City Correctional Facility after he was transferred from Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston, Missouri.  He began serving his sentence at Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center.
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At Newman's sentencing in June, Kevin Fielding, a spokesman for Kanakuk Kamps, says he was not aware of any pending civil litigation against the Branson based youth camp where Newman prayed with and preyed on young boys during the ten years he was employed there.

Newman Sentenced To Two Life Terms Plus 30 Years:

Peter "Pete" Newman mug shot

The former camp director for Kanakuk Kamps who pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes involving underage boys was sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus 30 years this afternoon in Taney County.

Peter "Pete" Newman pleaded guilty in February without a plea agreement to two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, three counts of second-degree statutory sodomy, and three counts of enticement of a child. Newman admitted he betrayed the trust of underage boys and their parents when he held naked bible study in his hot tub, where he performed masturbation with/or on the boys, performed oral sex with the young men and played naked basketball with the youths.

Every available seat (at least 100 in attendance) in Judge Mark Orr's courtroom was occupied by victims of 34 year-old Newman, their families or supporters of Newman's.

Dr. Anna Salter, a clinical psychologist and author called as an expert witness by the state, said that Newman tested in the low category on a Static 99 test and that she would look at the test scores cautiously. Static 99 is a test that measures sex offenders who get caught, according to Salter. "The likelihood for him to re-offend is there, but socially skilled offenders don't get caught often."

Salter added, "When religion is used in sex abuse cases it can cause kids to lose their faith in God." She said the community response to victims (in this case boys between the ages of 11 & 15) and their families is key to their healing and self worth. "The justice system and sentence is a key part of the healing process." Salter testified that during one interview Newman said, "my heart beats for kids"

When pressed by Newman's defense attorney Tom Carver, Salter said Newman could respond positively to treatment.




Defense attorney Tom Carver

Carver called an expert of his own, Dr. Joseph Plaud, a psychologist from Boston who interviewed Newman at the Taney County jail. He says Newman, "does not suffer from any major psychological disorder/s." He says self doubts, relationship dependency and attention seeking disorders may have played a role in Newman's crimes against children.

Plaud says Newman is not a pedophile because he prefers post-pubescent boys not pre- pubescent boys. He testified that homosexuality was considered wrong and sinful in Newman's childhood home and that he would have to address those issues in prison. Plaud says Newman is a victim of repressed homosexual urges.

Plaud testified that Newman suffers from social and sexual insecurities and that he has a sexual interest in young boys (and girls) between the ages of 12 - 15. He said that once the boys started exhibiting the behaviors of growing into men, he lost interest in them. Both experts noted that Newman had only one female sex partner, but numerous sexual encounters with young boys.

When Taney Couty Prosecutor Jeff Merrell cross examined Plaud, the psychologist admitted that he was aware of a situation at Kanakuk in 2003 where Newman signed a probationary agreement acknowledging sexual improprieties with young boys. Merrell said when pressed by the camp in 2009 about victims, "Newman revealed 15 names and when pressed further, he named additional victims."


Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell

Plaud responded that Newman is not at a moderate or high risk to re-offend, but that does not mean he will not re-offend-- and believes "he (Newman) is amenable to treatment."

When Merrell asked Plaud how much his testimony cost the defense, Plaud replied "$11,500." Plaud said that included a couple of trips to Taney County to visit Newman in jail to analyze him.

None of the victims or their families chose to verbally address the court, instead they wrote their statements to Judge Orr who had already read them before today's proceeding.

Doug Goodwin addressed the court on behalf of Kanakuk Kamp. He has been on the staff of the Christian based youth camp for over 20 years. He said, "All of us at Kanakuk Kamps have been heartbroken over this situation. But I want to be very clear about a couple of things. I am not here to talk about the impact this situation has had on our camps. Frankly, this in not about Kanakuk. Instead, this is about the victims of sexual abuse--young people and parents who were deceived and victimized; young people and parents whose trust was broken. Whether they are campers or staff, they are all part of the Kanakuk family and I am here today simple to support them."

When Goodwin added, "Pete Newman was very aware what he did was legally wrong and of the moral implications," Newman hung his head in shame.

Newman's brother, Matt, addressed the court, "Pete's actions have consequences, and that the victims deserve justice. Your honor, he has lost everything, his home his family and love."

A childhood friend of Newman's, Jamie Thompson, told Judge Orr that "Pete has caused real harm to the victim's, a camp that he loves and his saviour. But I also believe in redemption, and I will walk this path of restoration with Pete."

Newman cried as his twin brother David addressed the court. "I have spent a lifetime with Pete; we have wept and prayed for his victims and long that Pete will be made whole. Please let my father have the chance to look his own son in the eyes in his home to start the restoration process. We will be there for a lifetime for him."

Pete Newman wept, as did his victims, their family members, and supporters of Newman as he addressed the court (KSPR has the raw video and text of Newman's statement,)

"To the victims and to their families, I want you to know how sorry I am for the things I have done. And I would gladly trade my life if I could take back the things that I've done and the pain that I've caused, the devastation. I failed the families I had spiritual leadership of. I apologize to the community, I too want justice for them...I need to go to prison. This is the road that leads to healing for me. But on this road, my sin is uncovered and I think this is the road that leads to healing for me. I'm in a place where I can say, between the two roads, I take this one. I'd take the road of healing. I want to be whole more than I want to be with my family and more than I want to get out of this....I want to be healed.

I imagine I am the worst thing that has ever happened to Kanakuk....but God is there." He said Kanakuk is a lighthouse and not to blame them for the darkness he brought upon them.

Merrell then told Orr that Newman, "is the most prolific child molester I have ever dealt with," before asking for multiple consecutive life sentences.

Judge Orr retired to his chambers to decide Newman's fate for a little over 40 minutes, when he came back and delivered the verdicts it seemed that both side were a little stunned. Merrell said, "I'm satisfied, but there's always a sense of gravity when someone is sentenced to life. Adding, "I have never seen consecutive life sentences in all my years of practice."

Carver said, "It is a pretty severe sentence given Pet's promising ability to being amenable to treatment. His family is heartbroken."

Merrell added that the families of Newman's victims, "felt very hurt and taken advantage of."

Newman could be eligible for parole after serving about 12 years in prison, then his next consecutive sentence would kick in, then the additional 30 year sentence after that. In all, it appears that Newman could be behind bars for at least 36 years. Merrell believes Newman will go to the Department of Corrections and that authorities from Colorado will take him into custody there on sexual molestation charges out of La Plata County.

Authorities in Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma and other states have been watching what happens in this case and have expressed interest in Newman for alleged sex crimes against children.

Kevin Fielding, a spokesman for Kanakuk Kamps, says he is not aware of any pending civil litigation against the Branson based camp for Newman's indiscretions while employed by the camp.