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Ex-camp official is accused of lewd acts with teen boys
By SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent
Published:
9/18/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 9/18/2009 5:12 PM
Correction
This story originally reported that Newman was fired from the camp on Monday. The story has been corrected.
A former assistant director of Christian-based sports and adventure camps in Missouri that are popular with Oklahomans is accused of committing lewd acts with teenage boys.
Peter Newman, 33, is charged in Missouri with second-degreestatutory sodomy, two counts of sexual misconduct with a child younger than 15, and enticement of a child younger than 15.
Newman worked from 1999 until June for Kanakuk Kamps, which has Christian-based sports and adventure camps in Branson and Lampe, Mo., for boys and girls ages 7 to 18.
Prosecutor Jeff Merrell said Newman surrendered to authorities Tuesday and posted $50,000 bond that day in Taney County Associate Circuit Court in Forsyth, Mo. He said Newman is married and now lives in Memphis, Tenn.
Newman is charged in connection with incidents from 2005 to 2008 involving four boys ages 13, 14 and 15.
Authorities said he confessed to the sex crimes and apologized in an eight-page letter to camp owner Joe White.
Newman reportedly went swimming, played nighttime basketball, and conducted hot tub Bible studies in the nude with an untold number of teenage male campers, a detective stated in an arrest warrant.
Newman was fired in June, and the camp sent a letter and e-mail message to parents on
Monday to alert them to the investigation.
Most of the Oklahoma churches contacted this week said Kanakuk Kamps are not camps where a church would send a youth group but rather are camps that some of their members have attended.
Newman groomed his victims over time by hanging out and "meeting their parents and thereby gaining their trust," Taney County detective Ronnie Roberts said in an arrest warrant.
Roberts also states that Newman hosted sleepovers and sent letters and e-mails to teenage boys.
He also held nude one-on-one Bible study sessions in his home hot tub, where sexual assaults occurred, Roberts alleges.
Newman "exchanged oral sex" on four occasions with one victim, the arrest warrant alleges.
Newman is scheduled to return to court Oct. 29.
Conditions of his bail include that he have no contact with anyone younger than 17, Merrell said.
Doug Goodwin, Kanakuk Kamps' chief operations officer, said in a statement: "Our camp family was deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the allegations involving a former employee. The alleged behavior is counter to everything we believe in, everything we stand for and everything we work to instill in the young people who come to us seeking to grow personally and in their relationship with Christ."
Goodwin said camp officials worked closely with authorities in the investigation and have offered their assistance to the victims and their families.
The camp has very clear policies, including background checks, and extensive training in place for all staff members regarding appropriate behavior, he said.
By SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent
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28
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Web Editor Jason Collington
Report Comment
misfortune
, no thanks (9/18/2009 2:46:33 AM)
spaghetti comes to mind,yeah western,hang um high.
Report Comment
EagleMom
, Classified (9/18/2009 8:13:26 AM)
"The camp has very clear policies, including background checks, and extensive training in place for all staff members regarding appropriate behavior, he said."
Then why was the 2-adult-rule ignored once again?
Report Comment
rogerq
, Pyeongtaek, South Korea (9/18/2009 8:17:58 AM)
where was his wife during these nude hot tub bible studies?
Report Comment
honky donkey
, (9/18/2009 9:07:33 AM)
We have a winner of the "Turd in the Punchbowl Award!"
Report Comment
billy8
, Sand Springs (9/18/2009 9:39:34 AM)
Another religious pervert, not necessarily a homosexual, but definetly a pervert and child molester.
Report Comment
Ignatz
, A nice place where Democrats hold every office in the County. (9/18/2009 9:47:53 AM)
Lots of these characters seem to interpret the "laying on of hands" to suit their needs.
Report Comment
GARFIELD
, TULSA (9/18/2009 9:55:03 AM)
AJ68: In English class years ago, we were taught that 'the' Bible and the word 'Christian' were always capitalized, regardless of our own personal religious views--be they Taoist, Confucianism, Hindu, Islam or any other group!
Mr. Newman has serious charges against him; nonetheless he is entitled to certain rights in a court of law. Let justice be served.
Report Comment
dustyoutlaw
, Tulsa (9/18/2009 10:22:53 AM)
Yet another sterling example of why the religous right are in fact the minions of the anti christ that the bible warns us will come among us claiming to be righteous and holy but are in fact the spawn of Satan.
Report Comment
Daniel Day Simpson
, Edmond (9/18/2009 10:38:25 AM)
I had mixed feelings when I first read this on the AP wire. First, my background includes one where I have heard the word Kanakuk a lot and have pretty much had it rammed down my throat. So, for a brief moment I had a rush of celebration. Then I came down and realized any camp could have it happen to them. But I couldn't stop laughing. See folks, Kanakuk is the camp to which everybody has to measure up. It gets rammed down a lot of operators throat all the time. Michael W. Smith has a cabin on the facility grounds and does inner city free camps there. Kanakuk is actually in several states and operates different camps for different grade levels. In Branson it is on Lake Tannycomo on the opposite side from the downtown area. They have massive zip lines, water slides, trapeze lines, tumble rooms, bounce houses, etc. They do a tribal theme and their campers stay loyal with them all the way to adulthood. Cost is around $500 per week. The camp I assisted charged $200 and had many of the activities of White's camp. In some ways we did a better job. One day this man who was with New York Life came up to me and asked why we didn't have something that Kanakuk had. I said because someone from a place like New York Life gave Kanakuk the money to buy that item. He shut up and we never saw him again. That gives you a look into their membership.
Kanakuk owns a home near Hefner and May in Oklahoma City for the exclusive use of former campers and staff. You can host parties and reunions. Many times you will see parties from something like lodge K5b of 1980. One thing did amuse me recently. I was always told that Kanakuk had only the finest fresh food and no candy and no soft drinks and all health food. Bullshoit! Sysco foods and sugary snacks abound. Typical school food if you browse the menu!
Ha!
Report Comment
Oldfatdude
, Sim City (9/18/2009 12:48:29 PM)
Never went to a camp, never sent my kids to any camps. Glad I didn't, seems like there's always one perv hiding in plain sight.
Does Lackland AFB qualify as "camp"?
Report Comment
mrcds
, (9/18/2009 2:40:21 PM)
There is inaccurate information in this article re: Mr. Newman's time of termination from employment at Kanakuk. These facts should have been checked as they reflect on Kamp's commitment to respond swiftly and firmly upon hearing of these accusations. It's truly amazing how quick people are to judge an entire organization based on one, albeit beyond terrible, case. It's quite similar to the way a select few "religious right" have soured the name of most Christian Believers.
Report Comment
getreal
, (9/18/2009 2:59:11 PM)
Actually, there is a lot missing from this article. !) When did Mr. Newman actually stop participating as a camp employee (not fired, but shelved) 2) Why suddenly did Kanakuk spin off their Colorado operations (making the new owner a son-in-law and daughter) and make the Missouri operations a not-for-profit? Did these actions reflect knowledge of this problem before charges were filed? Newman was visible in January as a staff person, but had disappeared by April. Shortly after that, the camp asked parents and campers not to attempt to contact Newman as he was going through personal difficulties.
There may be much more to come. Why is it important? Literally hundreds of Tulsa kids went to this camp during the Newman times.
Report Comment
Sheila Stogsdill/Reporter
, T.B.D. (9/18/2009 3:48:42 PM)
mrcds,
The affidavit states Newman was terminated in June 2009. That information is located in the third paragraph.
The camp learned of these allegations in June and immediately terminated Newman.
You may contact me directly at 918-787-9581 should you need additional clarification.
Thank you
Sheila Stogsdill
Oklahoman/Tulsa World State Correspondent
Report Comment
okie ridgerunner
, Small Country Town State Line (9/18/2009 4:36:54 PM)
To many perverts around us.
Report Comment
rogerq
, Pyeongtaek, South Korea (9/18/2009 5:13:23 PM)
Well done Sheila, i like your response to idiocy who is trying to blur lines and cover fact and deflect responsibility
Report Comment
mrcds
, (9/18/2009 5:55:34 PM)
Ms. Stogsdill,
I appreciate your contact information, and will try to contact you again. I tried to call the given number and got a "mailbox is full" message.
My one and only interest here is knowing and sharing the truth, and I realize now this is not a forum where other commenters are necessarily interested in the same thing.
My regrets for not attempting to contact you first before questioning your reporting. I apologize. No responsibility being deflected here.
Report Comment
Four Sixteen Rigby
, Tulsa (9/18/2009 6:59:40 PM)
The "2 adult rule" isn't perfect, but it is certainly better than nothing. I even follow it with my kids and their friends unless there is no other alternative. Why take un-necessary risks?
Report Comment
mrcds
, (9/18/2009 8:11:28 PM)
rogerq,
I'm sorry you feel it is "idiocy", but the article was corrected, reflecting the accuracy of my statement.
This is nothing less than an absolutely tragic event, and I am only interested in the truth being told in it's entirety.
Report Comment
Sheila Stogsdill/Reporter
, T.B.D. (9/18/2009 9:36:52 PM)
My mailbox is cleared and I can receive messages.
Report Comment
antgirl3
, Broken Arrow (9/18/2009 10:01:55 PM)
Get a rope!
Report Comment
KarenD
, (9/18/2009 10:50:15 PM)
When my sons were little our neighbor was a single man who had all the neighborhood boys over to his house for swim parties. My children were never allowed there. Any parent who lets their children hang out with an adult is asking for trouble. Our neighbor was arrested years later for the exact reason we would not let our sons go to his house. STUPID PARENTS!!!!!
Report Comment
Sanity
, Broken Arrow (9/19/2009 8:22:33 AM)
Fair trial. If guilty, never let him see a day of freedom in his life.
Report Comment
What in the World!
, Tulsula (9/19/2009 9:51:12 AM)
I would never send a child to a camp! They are sitting ducks to all the perverts at the camp! Children should keep an eye on their blessings! I know this freaky pervert will get whats coming to him! Sicko.
Report Comment
What in the World!
, Tulsula (9/19/2009 9:53:26 AM)
Tulsa World should have an edit button for the comments! I meant parents should keep an eye on their blessings.
Report Comment
Alyazone
, Tulsa (9/19/2009 11:36:15 AM)
Oklahoma you are making me sick with all these sex offenders around are children. I will put a camera on my child and that is real I can't trust Oklahoma with my kids there are to many sex offenders out there sick people to be a Bible Belt to hide there filthy crimes Sick
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