(Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate), The front door Sts. Dixon and Cheng told police at the time of the arrest that they were role-playing and recording the consensual acts. In this situation its an incredibly specific set of facts and conditions that seem very unlikely to ever happen again, Kennedy reportedly told the Advocate, suggesting that Dixon and Cheng were far more likely to find themselves in similarly hot water. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The St. Tammany Parish District Attorneys Office has charged a former priest and two women with vandalizing a Pearl River Church last Fall. 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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Ex-Priest Travis Jhon Clark Pleads to Felony Obscenity Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. My clients look forward to their day in court as we continue to fight this baseless allegation.". The two were sentenced to two years of probation. Clark was removed from his post with the churchone day after his arrest. We acknowledge the charges filed against Travis Clark and Patrick Wattigny by the St. Tammany District Attorneys Office. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Clarks lawyer Bradley Phillips said it was rightful not to pursue obscenity charges because the priest and his lovers were having consensual sex in a private place. The two women, Mindy Dixon and Melissa Cheng, were later identified as dominatrices; Dixon had reportedly written on social media shortly before the encounter that she and another dominatrix were on their way to defile a house of God. They each pleaded guilty in July to a misdemeanor count of institutional vandalism and got two years of supervised probation. Former Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to obscenity, jailed after The trio was caught on the alter inside St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pearl River with a stage light, sex toys and a cell phone on the tripod. The defense also said that Clarkhas been diagnosed with autism and did not knowingly enter into an agreement to waive his constitutional right to free speech. Travis Clark was sentenced to three years of supervised probation after his plea in Louisianas 22nd Judicial District Court on Monday. A witness in Pearl River, northeast of New Orleans, called police on Sept. 30 after allegedly viewing Rev. Clark was ordained a priest in 2013. View our online Press Pack. Disgraced Louisiana priest pleads guilty to filming pornographic Obscenity charges against a former priest and two professional dominatrices have been dropped, . The St. Tammany Parish courthouse in Covington. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. He was ordained in 2013 and had been working at the church since 2019. I am infuriated by his actions. Dixon and Cheng were also arrested in September 2020 and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in July. As for Clarks future in the courtroom, Fox 8 legal analyst, Joe Raspanti says its a pretty straightforward case, especially if supposed video evidence is brought to a St. Tammany jury. Clarks defense attorney, Michael Kennedy, reportedly told the newspaper that active probation serves very little purpose for his client, who almost certainly will not be repeating similar conduct in the future. Travis John Clark, 37, then pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mindy Lynn Dixon, 41 . If convicted, they could be sentenced to up to two years in prison, with or without hard labor, and a fine of not more than $1,000 or both, according to the DA's office. A former Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to obscenity on the altar was jailed after doing a television interview with WDSU. Clark had seemingly escaped jail time for the three-way in 2020 that a passerby saw through the window at Sts. The altar was replaced by the church. Who is Reverend Travis Clark and why was he arrested? How long have Keir Starmer and Sue Gray been secretly cooking up their plot? Why there?, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. My clients look forward to their day in court as we continue to fight this baseless allegation.. In a statement last week, Archbishop Gregory Aymond said the Archdiocese is cooperating with law enforcement and will petition the Vatican for the laicization of both Travis and Patrick Wattigny, another former north shore priest who was indicted last week on a count of molestation of a juvenile. A former Catholic priest who pleaded guilty last month to a felony obscenity charge for performing sex acts with two professional dominatrices on the altar of a Pearl River church has been held in contempt of court for giving a television news interview. While condemning Clarks alleged sexual exploits, Aymond asked the congregation not to judge the church or priesthood as a whole by Clarks actions. woman accused of using aunts debit card for 136 DoorDash orders held on preset $18 million bond, Juvenile injured after homemade pipe bomb detonated, police say. By Gina Tron Priest, Dominatrices Have Charges Reduced For Altar Sex Travis Jhon Clark, 39, pleaded guilty to felony obscenity charges before a district judge in New Orleans, prosecutors announced on Wednesday. Clark was removed from his post with the churchone day after his arrest. Attorney Bradley Phillips, who represents both Dixon and Cheng, told Nola.com on Friday that the district attorneys office "has rightfully chosen to not pursue obscenity charges against my clients.". Travis Clark, 39, entered the plea as part of an agreement with prosecutors on Monday. A 39-year-old defrocked Catholic priest in Louisiana was spared time behind bars after formally pleading guilty to one count of felony obscenity for making a sex tape with two dominatrices on the altar of his former church in 2020. Travis Clark, Melissa Cheng and Mindy Dixon, Photo: The Archdiocese of New Orleans released a statement saying. woman accused of using aunts debit card for 136 DoorDash orders held on preset $18 million bond, Juvenile injured after homemade pipe bomb detonated, police say, Mixed reaction after new altar consecrated following pastors obscenity charges with dominatrices. Police alleged the obscene acts "occurred on the altar, which is clearly visible from the street," according to court records obtained by the outlet. Click Here to report it. (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate), Roman Catholic Archbishop Gregory Aymond, pictured entering the Presbytere in New Orleans after celebrating Easter Mass at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on April 12, traveled Saturday to Saints Peter and Paul Church in Pearl River to consecrate a new altar during vigil Mass. Sts. 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It is clear the state went out of its way to contort the facts of this case in order to fit their own narrative," Phillips stated. An attorney representing them said they were out of town and requested the court set a new arraignment date. The two other defendants in the case, Mindy Dixon and Melissa Cheng, each pleaded guilty in July to a single count of misdemeanor institutional vandalism. As part of their plea deals, both dominatrices reportedly agreed to testify against Clark if his case ever went to trial. Pearl River priest Travis Clark guilty plea - wdsu.com The witnesses reportedly told authorities that they saw a nearly naked Clark having sexual intercourse with the two women, both of whom were dressed in leather corsets. Professional dominatrix duo Lady Vi and Empress Ming Louisiana Catholic priest, 37, is arrested for recording Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. But last week, 22nd Judicial District Attorney Warren Montgomery formally charged the trio on a charge of institutional vandalism. Beginning Monday morning at 9:00 A.M. is the trial of the former priest who was caught making a pornographic video on the altar. Convicted of obscenity, former priest jailed for contempt | One Tammany Clark was sentenced to three years in prison, but Creel decided to suspend his time in jail and instead punished him with three years of probation and a $1,000 fine. She executed antique engine buff friend to forge a will and inherit his house. Have a tip or story idea? (WVUE) - Archbishop Gregory Aymond released a video statement reacting to the arrest of former priest Travis Clark. One witness said they saw the priest stripped down on the alter. Constance Marten seen leaving court after appearing before magistrates charged with manslaughter of baby, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon blow each other a kiss in dock before court hears dead baby was found in bag in shed, Mum identified after dead baby is found on Canford Heath, filming himself having sex with two dominatrices, Mindy Dixon, 41, and Melissa Cheng, 23, allegedly having sex with Clark, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). A witness in Pearl River, northeast of New Orleans, called police on Sept. 30 after allegedly viewing Rev. They were allegedly having intercourse with each other as a camera and cellphone appeared to be recording from a tripod on the altar, a local news outlet reported. Clark has paid restitution in the amount of $8,000.. A former priest plead guilty to an obscenity charge after he was filmed having a threesome with two dominatrices on the altar of a Louisiana church. According to court documents, on the night of September 30th, Father Travis Clark and two women could be seen having sex - in the church sanctuary- on the altar. Court documents show police arrested him and two other women . Travis Clark, 37; Mindy Dixon, 41; and Melissa Cheng, 23, for obscene acts. The original obscenity charge was filed after prosecutors alleged the three were having sex in a place open to the public view.. It's unclear if the video was ever released, but Clark is set to appear back in court on January 20 to ensure the trio will never gain profit from the act, according to NOLA.com. The archdiocese told CNA that the priest had "never before been the subject of any sexual misconduct claims." Louisiana priest arrested for alleged threesome on church altar: report Travis Clark, 37, was a pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church when he allegedly had sex with two women, identified as Mindy Dixon, 41, and Melissa Cheng, 28, on the churchs altar. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Copyright 2021 WVUE. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Do not sell or share my personal information. The now former Rev. Its unclear if Clark has an attorney. The 39-year-old was serving as pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pearl River when a passerby noticed lights on at the church late one night in September 2020. You have permission to edit this article. His obscene behavior was deplorable. A witness walked towards the church out of curiosity as the inside lights were on at an unusual time and used a cell phone to record the unexpected sight before contacting the Pearl River police. Travis John Clark, 39, pled guilty Monday in connection with the incident at a church last fall. All three were then arrested on obscenity charges because they were in view of the public. Dixon and Cheng told police at the time of the arrest that they were role-playing and recording the consensual acts. Clark, Cheng and Dixon were all released from jail after posting bond shortly after their arrests. Clark was ordained a priest in 2013 and became pastor of St. Peter and Paul last year. 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Travis Clark, the disgraced priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, pled guilty Monday to a felony count of obscenity for his actions in . Though Aymond says Clark was removed from ministry, his name still appears on the churchs billboard.