Police asked to look into alleged sex crimes at Hannibal church

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal police have been asked to investigate reports of clergy abuse and misconduct and incest involving Christ Apostolic Temple #3 – The Light of Hannibal.

During a midday press conference on Wednesday, Bishop Demetrius J. Sinegal, Executive Director of the Safehouse #UnMuzzled Advocacy Group said his group’s investigation into the Hannibal church began while they were investigating allegations of gross clergy abuse & predatory clergy sexual misconduct involving Dwight Reed, 63, of Christ Apostolic Temple headquarters in Des Moines, IA after he married an adolescent in his church.

Sinegal said former members of the Hannibal church came forward with testimony alleging child sexual abuse and incest by leaders of the church at 206 Willow Street.

Two primary victims and five witnesses told investigators with Safehouse #Unmuzzled that the alleged abuses were reported to the pastor, Robin Andrews, on numerous occasions. They allege Andrews failed to report the allegations of abuse to law enforcement as is required by Missouri state law. Witnesses accuse an employee of the church with abusing at least three young men who were minors at the time of the alleged abuse. Members of the advocacy group say there were at least two other victims of predatory sexual abuse in the church.

Case managers and advocates from Safehouse #UnMuzzled say another primary victim came forward with testimony that she had been sexually abused by her biological father who served as a deacon in this church for several years. The girl, who was also a minor at the time of the reported abuse, alleges that the long term rape resulted in two pregnancies. She and several witnesses said the abuse was also reported to Andrews, who allegedly dismissed their claims.

Bishop Sinegal and another member of his organization gave Hannibal Police a 10-page report and other pieces of evidence they say substantiates the claim. Should the accusations be substantiated by Hannibal police, they are demanding criminal charges be filed. The victims are also asking that criminal charges be filed against Robin Andrews as a mandated reporter who failed to report the sexual abuse of a minor child.

A nine-page redacted report of the investigation by Safehouse #Unmuzzled has been published at the group’s Facebook page.