Sex offender convicted of molesting 4-year-old re-elected fire chief of small town

WHIO TV ^ | 2/11/2018 | Michelle Ewing

[simpson96]

SPARTANSBURG, Pa. — A man convicted of a felony sex crime against a 4-year-old girl has been elected to his second term as chief of a Pennsylvania town's volunteer fire department, The Corry Journal reports.

Roger Gilbert Jr. of Spartansburg was convicted in 2001 of "involuntary deviate sexual intercourse" for forcing a 4-year-old girl to perform oral sex, according to the Journal. He was sentenced to five to 10 years in prison.

Gilbert, 43, joined Spartansburg's volunteer fire department in 2010 and is not paid for his job as chief. He said he has "changed his life for the better" since his conviction.

But the victim's mother isn't buying it.

"As fire chief, this man interacts with children,” she told the Journal. “If you were in an accident, would you want this man working on your child?"

Spartansburg Mayor Ann Louise Wagner said she and members of the fire department have known about Gilbert's status as a registered sex offender. She added that she supports their decision to re-elect him as chief.

[elcid1970]

OMG....

[elcid1970]

OMG....

[PeterPrinciple]

This article was written to ellicit an emotional response from you. Looks like it worked.

[Pilgrim's Progress]

They sure are electing young fire chiefs . . .

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Did Meryl Streep give him a standing ovation?

[Pilgrim's Progress]

Re-elected? how old was the kid when it was first elected?

[floozy22]

"I don't know why she won't drop this," Wagner said of the victim's mother.

WTF!

[PeterPrinciple]

Re-elected? how old was the kid when it was first elected?

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Not sure why you are focused on age? small town, volunteer position, not paid. how long in the appt? one year, two year?

[lacrew]

Ouch

[Dagnabitt]

This guy would earn back a little respect from the community if he just killed himself.

[Celerity]

Maybe I’m misunderstanding you ? Your thoughts and comments on the topic appear to be very misguided.

[Celerity]

Maybe I’m misunderstanding you ? Your thoughts and comments on the topic appear to be very misguided.

[onedoug]

I believe that sexual crimes against children warrant the death penalty.

[FreedomOfExpression]

This article was written to ellicit an emotional response from you. Looks like it worked.

I am not the one you replied to, but I have to ask... So just looking at the facts, you think it is okay? You have no problems with him being elected?

[PeterPrinciple]

I am not the one you replied to, but I have to ask... So just looking at the facts, you think it is okay? You have no problems with him being elected?

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You jump to a big assumption. I am just pointing out that it is obviously written to elicit an emotional response which it does. My point is to alert readers to this and observe note their response.

It contains very little information to make a judgment.

[mewzilla]

Here's a bit more info...

Roger Gilbert Jr.: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

[Neoliberalnot]

LGBTP pride member by other names.

[PeterPrinciple]

Maybe I’m misunderstanding you ? Your thoughts and comments on the topic appear to be very misguided.

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Why? because I won’t be manipulated by the author and publisher. Do you have some information that is helpful to the discussion?

There are some people that do change. This is a local matter that the local people have decided and not lightly as they are aware of the situation. He evidently has paid his price of prison. The mother is emotionaly hurt and I can’t blame her but the author and publisher have taken advantage of the situation to sell their newspaper and ads.

[Celerity]

I guess you just need to lash out for a bit ?

I do not have information that is helpful to the conversation. Well, I do, but it’s mostly New information that you can’t be asked to further explain your comment. Lesson learned.