Robert Melancon
Alleged Abuse: Served time in prison after being convicted of raping an altar boy in 1996 in Houma.
Where he is now: Deceased
Robert Melancon, a former priest convicted of raping an altar boy in 1996, died in prison in November 2018.
Robert Lester “Bobby” Melancon was 82 and died of natural causes. He was serving a life sentence for the rape conviction.
The victim testified that he was 8 years old when Melancon began raping him in the rectory of the Annunziata Catholic Church in Houma. He said the priest raped him after weddings, baptisms, and funerals, the Houma Courier reported.
The Times-Picayune reported that during the trial Melancon admitted that he was an active, secret pedophile who groomed and molested a 12-year-old boy while pastor of St. Genevieve Church in Thibodaux in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This case reportedly couldn’t be prosecuted because of a time limitation.
In addition, Bishop Michael Jarrell is accused of allowing Melancon to continue working in a parish after paying one of his victims $30,000 in 1993. The Times-Picayune said the claim was described as “improper sexual behavior or sexual harassment” over 11 years, from 1973 to 1984.
Timeline:
1962: Ordained
1974-1984: St. Genevieve Church, Thibodaux
Accused of abuse in Thibodaux
1985-1991: Annunziata, Houma
Accused of abuse in Houma
Settlement paid following sex abuse claim
1993-1995: Sacred Heart Church, Cut-off
1996: Convicted on sex abuse charge in Houma
1997: On Leave, according to Catholic Directory
2018: Dies in prison
