14 Accused Church Predators in Louisiana Show Up On Secret List

SHREVEPORT, LA - A secret list is out and lots of religious folks are talking about it. This list includes the names of convicted and alleged sexual predators that Southern Baptists have reportedly kept secret for years. This list includes 14 sex offenders who worked in churches in Louisiana.

unsplash via jon tyson

This list was published in the Washington Post.

Here Are the Ones on the List from Louisiana:

1. Jonathan Bailey First Baptist Church New Orleans 2016

"Convicted of 12 felonies, including molestation of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile and obstruction. Serving a 10-year sentence in Louisiana state prison, according to a prison spokesman."

2. Jason J. D. Cooper, pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Rayville, LA, 2007

"Convicted of indecent behavior with a juvenile and oral sexual behavior."

3. Angelo “ Doggie” Golatt, youth pastor, Buhl’s Calvary Assembly of God and former youth leader, Donahue Family Church, Pineville, LA, 2012

"Sentenced in March 2012 to four counts of forcible rape; serving a 40-year sentence in Louisiana state prison, according to an interview with a Louisiana prison spokesman."

4. James Robert Griffin volunteer associate pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Slidell, LA, and volunteer, Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Slidell, LA. 2007

"Charged with 2 counts of aggravated sex crimes involved juveniles and 100 counts of possession of child pornography. 2 girls ages 13 and 15 in 2006. Convicted of aggravated and pornography involving juveniles in 2009. Registered sex offender in Louisiana but listed as non-complaint for moving without notification."

5. Bryan K. Johnson, Vineyard Ministries, Westwego, LA, and Greater Cypress Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Algiers, LA, 2016

"Pleaded guilty to having sex with a 15-year old girl and was sentenced to prison for 6 years and force to register as a sex offender for 25 more."

6. Michael Phillip Latham, former Baptist camp director, Glorieta Conference Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico and director, Harris Baptist Conference Center, Bienville, Louisiana. 2012

"Pleaded guilty to a federal sex crime for sending obscene photos of himself over the Internet. He is a Registered Sex Offender."

7. Holland Farrell McMorris, pastor, Paradise Baptist Church, Bell, LA. 2011

"Pleaded guilty to four counts of crimes of violation against a child. He was sentenced to 25 years for three of the counts and 15 for the fourth, without the eligibility of probation or parole."

8. Victor Mitchell, pastor, Old Mount Olive Baptist Church, Oak Ridge, LA 2007

"Convicted of indecent behavior with a juvenile and oral sexual behavior."

9. Sherman R. Smith, pastor, Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA, and Second Highway Baptist Church, Marrero, LA. 2001

"Was charged with rape or sexual abuse of at least seven juvenile victims. Additional victims have come forward. At least one victim was under age 11. Some abuse occurred during “sleepovers at Smith’s house.” Indictment charges jailed Marrero pastor with child sex crimes dating to 1989."

10. Robert James Washington Jr., church van driver, New Beginnings Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church on Flournoy-Lucas Road, Shreveport, LA, 2010

"Pleaded guilty to rape and kidnapping of a juvenile. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison at hard labor on one count of forcible rape and 40 years in prison at hard labor on one count of second degree kidnapping."

11. Unidentified youth minister 2012 ,

"Was charged with 3 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and 1 count of computer aided solicitation of a juvenile for sexual purposes."

12. Unidentified teacher associated with a Louisiana church 2015

"Was arrested and charged with five counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile, one count of computer-aided solicitation of a minor and one count of prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student."

13. Unidentified former youth minister 2017

"Arrested for possessing child pornography. He was fired from church. "

14. 46 year old unidentified former pastor 2006

"Was arrested for abusing a 16 year old."

This "secret list" includes more than 600 alleged sexual predators. These alleged offenses happened between 2007 and 2022.

Unsolved Serial Killer Cases In The Louisiana Area

These are cases involving suspected serial killers tied to Louisiana. Some of these cases do not have official connections to the state, but some happened close enough to the state line to gain attention in Louisiana. Some of these killers may also be responsible for a portion of the unsolved missing or murdered victims in Louisiana, based on additional information.