The horrifying abuse spanned years, leaving the victim traumatized.
Mark Ford, 65, was arrested in Indiana by the USMS Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. He was later extradited to New Orleans.
He has been charged with first-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, sexual battery, and indecent behavior with juveniles.
The victim, now an adult, lives with permanent physical and intellectual disabilities.
His mother alerted police last November about the childhood assaults.
She revealed Ford served as a minister at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where the family worshipped.
The alleged abuse began in 2004, during a painful time for the boy, FOX affiliate WVUE reported.
He was grieving the loss of his grandmother and, later his father.
The boy joined “God’s Special Children,” a church group for disabled youth. Ford presented himself as a mentor and gained the family’s trust. He visited their home, offering computer games and guitar lessons.
Soon, the visits took a sinister turn, according to court records. Ford allegedly showed the boy pornography and demanded secrecy.
The victim, uncomfortable, begged Ford to stop, but the abuse continued.
Prolonged hugs escalated to Ford asking to “make out,” police say. He allegedly pulled down the boy’s pants and groped him.
The abuse worsened, with Ford engaging in digital penetration.
Ford warned the boy that his mother wouldn’t believe him if he spoke out.
On Christmas Day, Ford allegedly exposed the boy’s genitals in the family kitchen. The victim recounted two separate incidents of oral rape. Another assault occurred in the boy’s home restroom, leaving him terrified.
“He felt trapped and unable to escape,” police noted in court documents.
The victim’s fear kept him silent for years – his mother’s report to police last fall sparked a swift investigation. Detectives arranged a forensic interview with the victim, in which he detailed abuse by “Father Mark” from his childhood.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church has remained silent on the allegations.
Ford was booked into the Orleans Justice Center this week. He faces a Friday afternoon court hearing to determine bond. A bond commissioner will decide if he remains jailed without bail.