Andrew Showers
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A former Catholic Priest charged with felony sex crimes in Waupaca County is now the subject of a complaint in Marathon County, accusing him of grooming a child for sexual activity.
Andrew Showers is accused of communicating with an undercover officer posing as a teenage girl. The conversation led officers to issue an arrest warrant for him late last week. The 38-year-old turned himself in on Friday and is due in court Monday afternoon.
This isn’t the first time Showers has been caught communicating with an undercover officer. Last year, he was accused of traveling to Clintonville to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex but was arrested at the designated meetup.
Friday’s charges include grooming a child and felony bail jumping. Charges against him in Waupaca County include possession of child pornography and attempted child sexual assault. Most are high-level felonies that come with decades in prison.
Officials with the Diocese of Madison restricted him from public activity immediately after his arrest in Clintonville. Pope Leo XIV dismissed him earlier this year, ending his ties with the Catholic Church.
The Diocese of Madison has encouraged people to report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement. If those allegations involve deacons, priests, or other church personnel, victims should call the Sexual Misconduct Question and Reporting Line at (608) 821-3162.
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