17th Jehovah’s Witness Member in Pennsylvania Charged With Child Sexual Abuse

Grand Jury Charges Timothy Willochell in Westmoreland County

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has charged a 54-year-old Westmoreland County man, Timothy Willochell, with multiple child sex abuse crimes stemming from a years-long investigation into sexual misconduct within Jehovah’s Witness congregations. The charges were filed after testimony from two alleged victims was presented to the 52nd Statewide Investigating Grand Jury.

Willochell now becomes the 17th member of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Pennsylvania to face criminal charges related to child sexual abuse since 2022. He was arraigned on Wednesday, with bail set at $170,000, and is currently prohibited from having any contact with minors. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 21.

Details of Abuse Spanning Nearly a Decade

According to grand jury testimony, the first survivor reported that Willochell sexually assaulted them at least four times between 1989 and 1992, starting when they were just five years old. These incidents reportedly occurred inside Willochell’s home in Westmoreland County and once outside the residence.

A second survivor came forward to say they were sexually assaulted twice under the age of 10, between 1993 and 1997, at a local campsite. Both victims were minors at the time of the alleged abuse, and both testified under oath to the grand jury panel overseeing the investigation.

Charges Reflect Larger Pattern Within Jehovah’s Witness Congregations

This latest development adds to a growing list of criminal cases against members of Jehovah’s Witness congregations across Pennsylvania. Since 2022, the Attorney General’s Office has brought charges against 17 individuals affiliated with the religious organization, highlighting disturbing patterns of abuse and cover-ups.

The ongoing statewide investigation into Jehovah’s Witnesses mirrors past probes into other religious institutions, including the Catholic Church, where similar allegations of systemic abuse and institutional protection of abusers were uncovered.

Attorney General Dave Sunday has stated that his office remains committed to holding all abusers accountable, regardless of their religious affiliation. Senior Deputy Attorney General Alicia Werner is leading the prosecution in Willochell’s case.

Legal Support for Survivors of Religious Sexual Abuse

At Survivors of Abuse PA, we understand the lifelong trauma caused by sexual abuse—especially when it occurs within trusted religious institutions. Survivors often carry this burden in silence for decades, only coming forward when they feel safe and supported.

Led by Ashley DiLiberto, Esq., our legal team is dedicated to helping survivors of religious sexual abuse take legal action against their abusers and the institutions that failed to protect them. Whether the abuse happened recently or decades ago, you may still have legal options under Pennsylvania’s evolving statute of limitations laws.

Contact Survivors of Abuse PA for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If you or a loved one has experienced abuse by a Jehovah’s Witness leader, volunteer, or congregation member, we urge you to contact us. The criminal justice system is only one path to accountability—civil litigation can provide additional justice and compensation for survivors. Our team offers free, private consultations and operates on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Disclaimer: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on publicly available information as of the date of publication.

Source: WTAJ News