Authorities have arrested a priest and a former teacher on multiple felony charges related to sexual abuse at St. Thomas the Apostle School and Rectory in Wilmington, Delaware. The Delaware Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking other potential victims due to the severity of the allegations and the suspects’ long-standing involvement with children.
John Taggart, 80, and Christopher Crisona, 57, are facing numerous felony charges stemming from incidents that occurred between 1994 and 1996.
- Taggart, a former priest at St. Thomas, has been charged with:
- Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
- Two counts of Dangerous Crime Against a Child
- Two counts of Unlawful Sexual Penetration (3rd Degree)
- Four counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse (1st Degree)
- Unlawful Sexual Contact (2nd Degree)
- Crisona, a former teacher, is charged with:
- Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
- Unlawful Sexual Contact (2nd Degree)
- Three counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse (1st Degree)
- Unlawful Sexual Penetration (3rd Degree)
The case emerged after an anonymous report was filed with the Diocese of Wilmington, alleging abuse by Father John Taggart and the now-deceased Father John Francis O’Brien. Wilmington Police launched an investigation, uncovering evidence that Taggart repeatedly abused a student during their 7th and 8th grade years at St. Thomas, continuing into high school.
- Taggart’s Background:
- Served at St. Thomas from 1987 to 1998
- Transferred to St. John the Apostle in Milford in 1999, then to St. Helena’s in Wilmington in 2001
- Resigned from active ministry in 2004 and now resides in Georgia
Investigators later found evidence linking Christopher Crisona, a teacher at St. Thomas, to the same victim.
- Crisona’s Background:
- Worked at St. Thomas from 1994-1996 before being removed mid-year due to a student complaint
- Later taught at St. Matthew’s (1999), Corpus Christi (1999), and St. Hedwig’s (2000) in Wilmington
- Currently employed as an elementary school teacher in Florida
The DOJ urges anyone with information or additional victims to come forward. Officials are also working with Florida authorities regarding Crisona’s current employment as a teacher. The case remains under active investigation.
