By WPRO News and the Associated Press
Rhode Island State Police say a former Catholic chaplain for the Boy Scouts has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting an 18-year-old man with disabilities.
Police said 74-year-old James Glawson is charged with three counts of first-degree sexual assault and second-degree sexual assault.
The Exeter man was held without bail at his arraignment Friday. He was referred to the public defender’s office. No plea was entered.
Police said Glawson’s arrest came after a complaint was filed on behalf of the man who was allegedly sexually assaulted.
“He’s in a residential program that’s covered by DCYF, so they brought it to our attention as soon as they were made aware of it,” said Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Philbin.
Police said Glawson began working with the Boy Scouts in 1980, serving as an assistant Catholic chaplain at a Hopkinton summer camp from 2012 to 2018. A police spokeswoman wouldn’t disclose whether the alleged victim was a scout.
Glawson is also affiliated with churches in North Kingstown and Westerly, which prompted the Diocese of Providence to weigh in with a statement.
“[He] was never an employee of the Diocese of Providence. Glawson volunteered as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist; however, he is not a member of the clergy, ” the statement read. “He was a volunteer that helped at the Boy Scout camp at Camp Yawgoog. He had the mandated BCI clearance in order to volunteer at the camp. The Diocese offers prayers for healing of those affected by this situation and is fully cooperating with this ongoing investigation.”
The Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America didn’t immediately comment Friday.
State Police urge those who may have information about the case to contact them.
“Given that he had the ability to be around a lot of young men, that conversation should take place with their parents and the parents should be speaking to their kids. If anything is developed through those conversations, we ask that they contact us immediately,” said Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Barry.
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