Second Kentucky Man Charged With Sex Crimes – After Mennonite Community Tips Off Police

This is a disturbing story, but one that needs covering, for multiple reasons.

Fresh reports describe what appears to be a second man from the same plain Mennonite community being charged with sex-related crimes within the span of a few weeks.

And in this second instance just being reported, it seems that action by the Mennonite community was pivotal in making the suspect’s arrest.

First Case: Described as “Amish” in Error (?)

Last month a man named Alvin Troyer from the Scottsville area of Allen County, Kentucky was charged with multiple counts of child molestation involving teenage girls in Missouri.

Now, in the news station’s report, he was described as “Amish”. And quickly glancing at his photo at top, you might see why people would think that.

However, I believe the news outlet describing him as “Amish” was in error, for several reasons.

First of all, while it is possible that he is Amish, the area he is from (Scottsville, KY) does not have an Amish community. Indeed, there are no Amish communities in all of Allen County, KY, according to the latest Amish community list.

Rather, Allen County, KY, and in particular the Scottsville area, is known to be the location of several Noah Hoover Mennonite communities.

The Noah Hoover Mennonites are a group that is oft-mistaken for the Amish, due to their similarities in appearance and technology use.

You can also see by his appearance that Troyer has a mustache – common with Noah Hoover Mennonites, but very uncommon (though not unheard of) among Amish.

Additionally, the place where he was actually charged with the crimes (Vernon County, Missouri) also has a Noah Hoover Mennonite community, along with another Noah Hoover community nearby, right across the county line in Rich Hill – which happens to be where this report of Troyer’s arrest was filed from.

Now, there are two Amish communities in Vernon County, MO. However, they are not located in that area.

The two Amish communities in the Vernon County area are located about 25 to 35 miles away from these Noah Hoover Mennonite areas.

So, with all the above, I don’t think I’m going out on a limb in believing that the news station has made an error in calling this man “Amish”.

There is one puzzling detail in the story, however: they reference Troyer being “removed” both from his home, and from an “Amish Church Support Group”.

I’m not sure where that detail is coming from – it’s capitalized in the story, as if it’s a formal group. So, that odd detail leaves a small amount of doubt, for what it’s worth.

Second Case: Another Sex Crime Reported – Thanks To Mennonite Community’s Tip

Now, a second man from the same area as Troyer (Scottsville, KY) has been charged with rape.

From Fox 17:

ALLEN COUNTY, Ky. (WZTV) — The Allen County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) has arrested and charged a man suspected of sexual crimes.

Officers received a report from the local Mennonite community about a man involved in sexual activity with a minor.

According to ACSO, detectives investigated and obtained a confession from Donald Stoner of Scottsville, Kentucky.

Stoner was arrested and “faces charges of third-degree rape and more.”

If I’m correct on Troyer, it sounds like these are both from the same Allen County, KY-based Mennonite group.

And if that’s true, perhaps the Alvin Troyer case which became public in August has helped reveal, and/or encouraged members of the Allen County Noah Hoover Mennonites to contact authorities regarding Stoner’s alleged behavior.

If that’s the case, good. Either way, the people in the Mennonite community who reported this are to be applauded.

Church and cultural dynamics in both Amish and plainer Mennonite communities, in particular, at times have led to these types of crimes being “handled” within the church – without involving the law.

Efforts have been made to encourage this sort of reporting in Plain communities- as crimes – rather than addressing these incidents as church transgressions, which can leave victims vulnerable and allow the transgressor to repeat his behavior.

I can only hope for the best for the victims’ healing – and that any other ongoing cases are discovered.