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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 2:11 p.m., Thursday, July 28, 2005

Maui church deacon charged with sexual assault

By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Neighbor Island Editor

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WAILUKU, Maui — St. Ann Church deacon James "Ron" Gonsalves of Maui pleaded not guilty today to 62 charges that he sexually assaulted a boy over a three-year period.

A Maui grand jury indictment charged Gonsalves, 68, on 30 counts of first-degree sexual assault, a felony carrying a 20-year prison term, and 32 counts of third-degree sexual assault, which carries a five-year term. He was being held in custody with bail set at $790,000.

Maui police said the incidents allegedly occurred between June 2002 and June 2005, when the youth was aged 12 to 15. Some of the assaults were reported to have taken place at the church, located in the small town of Waihe'e in the Wailuku district.

At today's arraignment in 2nd Circuit Court, Judge Joel August agreed to prosecution and defense requests that the indictment be sealed to protect the boy's identity. August set Gonsalves' trial for Sept. 26 and scheduled a hearing for tomorrow morning to discuss bail.

Defense attorney Philip Lowenthal had no comment except to say, "Mr. Gonsalves is pleading not guilty. We're going to contest this matter in court and not in the press."

Gonsalves led the St. Ann Church parish as deacon since 1999 before he was placed on paid administrative leave June 22 in response to the police investigation, according to Patrick Downes, spokesman for the Honolulu Diocese. He is not allowed to perform any church duties.

Downes said the diocese is conducting its own investigation and is cooperating fully with police.

He said church officials have been in contact with the boy who made the accusations and his family, although no counseling or other services are being provided at this time.

Gonsalves was ordained as a deacon in 1987. Downes said most deacons are volunteers, but Gonsalves was a diocesan employee while serving as administrator of the St. Ann parish, which does not have its own priest.

The Rev. Peter Dumag has been appointed temporary parish administrator. In a brief comment today, Dumag said the parish is "hanging in there" in the wake of the allegations.