Some Tea residents are calling for a pastor with a history of theft and sex crimes to remove himself from efforts to open a new youth center.
Meanwhile, more court records have become available that detail allegations against Joe Panaia Jr., 42-year-old pastor of Bridging the Gap Ministries.
Volunteers organized by Panaia plan to open a Christ-based hangout on Tea’s Main Street this month for students in grades six through 12. But if the plan is to succeed, some say, Panaia will have to take himself out of the picture.
Tea City Council member Herman Otten has received a few calls from people concerned about Panaia.
“A person with his past history would probably make me severely concerned about letting my kids go up there,” he said. But if Panaia is not involved, “I think it would ease people’s fears.”
Court records not available earlier this week offer more insight into Panaia’s past:
According to a police affidavit, Panaia was working at Good Samaritan Luther Manor in 2001 when he hugged a female coworker and showed her his genitals. He pleaded guilty to indecent exposure and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
Another affidavit states that in 2005, while working at a McDonald’s restaurant, he fondled a new employee and asked her to perform oral sex on him. Prosecutors charged him with sexual contact without consent, but he was never indicted and the matter was dropped.
Also in 2005, Panaia admitted he failed to report family income and received an extra $6,357 in food stamps and Medicaid benefits. He spent two days in jail for social services fraud.
According to his Web site, Panaia began the ministry to help people who are institutionalized in hospitals, jails and prisons.
Tom Stadem, youth pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tea, said continuing to work with those populations is Panaia’s best chance at rebuilding his reputation.
“Once you violate the public trust, you don’t regain it by working with children,” he said.
Stadem said he plans to speak with Panaia soon. He said he’ll urge him to clear up his past, which includes an outstanding warrant on bigamy and perjury charges in Maryland. That case is still pending, and there is a warrant out for Panaia’s arrest after he skipped a court hearing in February, said Deputy Washington County State’s Attorney Joe Michael. The Maryland prosecutor said he wishes Panaia would return to Maryland to clear up that case.
“That would send a strong message to his intention and motivation. Coming clean is part of repentance,” Stadem said.
Panaia could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Youth center volunteer Perry Edblom has said Panaia has always wanted the project to be a community effort and is willing to distance himself from it.
Tea Mayor John Lawler said that although some residents have asked city officials to intervene, the city has no control over whether the youth center opens because Panaia does not need a building permit. Despite that, Panaia recently called the mayor to set up a meeting.
“He just would like to meet with me and explain his background,” Lawler said. “I’m willing to listen.”
