April 19, 2005
 
For Immediate Release
 
Contact:
Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest Director 414-429-7259
 
Milwaukee -- Fr. Joseph Engels of the Peoria Diocese pleaded guilty on Friday, April 17,  to sexually assaulting an altar boy in two different Milwaukee hotels during the 1980's.  The victim, Dan Koenigs, is now in his mid-30's and lives in Illinois.  Engels would take Koenigs on road trips to Wisconsin for the purpose of sexually molesting him.  Engels has other reports of abusing children filed with the Peoria diocese.
 
Because Wisconsin law "tolls" the statute for child sexual abuse if the child is transported across state lines, Engels was able to be prosecuted by Milwaukee authorities. We thank this brave victim for coming forward and helping to protect other children.  We urge, as always, anyone that has experienced, witnessed or suspected child abuse to report that information to civil authorities.
 
The conviction of Fr. Engels proves once again that when law enforcement takes the sexual assault of children seriously and aggressively pursues criminals, justice--even delayed justice--is possible. It is quite likely that dozens of abusive clergy in Wisconsin transported children across state lines or were transferred by their dioceses and religious orders out of the state of Wisconsin.  This means that many predators are still within the reach of Wisconsin law.
 
We know that many of these individuals are career criminals.  The community is safer only when they are behind bars.  Sadly, sex offenders, not even clerical ones, will ever stop assaulting children--even for the election of a new pope.
 
Engels will be sentenced in Milwaukee in June.