Delaware News

Two men indicted and charged in sexual abuse case

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Monday, March 17, 2025


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Priest, teacher pending extradition

NOTE
This release discusses alleged sexual violence and child abuse and could bring up strong feelings for readers. If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault, you can contact the National Rape Crisis Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673) or, locally, contact the YWCA Sexual Assault Resource Center at 1-800-773-8570.

Two men have been arrested and charged on multiple charges of sexual abuse occurring between 1994 and 1996. John Taggart, 80, and Christopher Crisona, 57, are charged with several felonies following an investigation into allegations of abuse at St. Thomas the Apostle School and rectory, as well as other locations.

“The State’s indictment alleges a pattern of gravely serious abuse against a juvenile by two adults in a position of trust,” said AG Jennings. “As prosecutors, and as parents, these kinds of cases keep us up at night — but they also give us purpose. The victim in this case suffered profound trauma over a period of years and deserves justice. I’m grateful to the police, prosecutors, and social workers who have been critical to this investigation and who are committed to getting justice.”

Taggart was identified following an anonymous report to the Diocese of Wilmington, and subsequent Wilmington Police Department investigation, regarding alleged sexual abuse by Father John Taggart and Father John Francis O’Brien (now deceased). WPD’s investigation found evidence that Taggart repeatedly abused a victim during their 7th and 8th grade years at St. Thomas, and continued after the victim left St. Thomas and began high school. Taggart was a priest at St. Thomas the Apostle from 1987 to 1998. In January of 1999 he was sent to St. John the Apostle in Milford, and in January of 2001 was sent to St. Helena’s in Wilmington. Taggart resigned from active ministry in 2004 and currently resides in Georgia.

The investigation also uncovered allegations of abuse of the same victim by Christopher Crisona, a teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle School. Crisona worked as a teacher at St. Thomas for the 1994-1995 school year and part of the 1995-1996 school year. He was removed mid year following a student complaint, later working at St. Matthew’s in Wilmington (1999), Corpus Christi (1999), and St. Hedwig’s (2000). He currently works as an elementary school teacher in Florida.

Taggart is 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, and Unlawful Sexual Contact 2nd Degree.

Crisona is charged with Unlawful Sexual Contact 2nd Degree, three counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse 1st Degree, Unlawful Sexual Penetration 3rd Degree, Unlawful Sexual Contact 2nd Degree, and Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.

Both defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence. The DOJ is seeking other potential victims given the nature of the allegations and the defendants’ professional history. Anyone with information may contact (302) 577-5293 or ReportAbuse@delaware.gov to provide information to prosecutors and investigators.

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Two men indicted and charged in sexual abuse case

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Monday, March 17, 2025


Navy blue background featuring the Delaware state seal in the center

Priest, teacher pending extradition

NOTE
This release discusses alleged sexual violence and child abuse and could bring up strong feelings for readers. If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault, you can contact the National Rape Crisis Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673) or, locally, contact the YWCA Sexual Assault Resource Center at 1-800-773-8570.

Two men have been arrested and charged on multiple charges of sexual abuse occurring between 1994 and 1996. John Taggart, 80, and Christopher Crisona, 57, are charged with several felonies following an investigation into allegations of abuse at St. Thomas the Apostle School and rectory, as well as other locations.

“The State’s indictment alleges a pattern of gravely serious abuse against a juvenile by two adults in a position of trust,” said AG Jennings. “As prosecutors, and as parents, these kinds of cases keep us up at night — but they also give us purpose. The victim in this case suffered profound trauma over a period of years and deserves justice. I’m grateful to the police, prosecutors, and social workers who have been critical to this investigation and who are committed to getting justice.”

Taggart was identified following an anonymous report to the Diocese of Wilmington, and subsequent Wilmington Police Department investigation, regarding alleged sexual abuse by Father John Taggart and Father John Francis O’Brien (now deceased). WPD’s investigation found evidence that Taggart repeatedly abused a victim during their 7th and 8th grade years at St. Thomas, and continued after the victim left St. Thomas and began high school. Taggart was a priest at St. Thomas the Apostle from 1987 to 1998. In January of 1999 he was sent to St. John the Apostle in Milford, and in January of 2001 was sent to St. Helena’s in Wilmington. Taggart resigned from active ministry in 2004 and currently resides in Georgia.

The investigation also uncovered allegations of abuse of the same victim by Christopher Crisona, a teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle School. Crisona worked as a teacher at St. Thomas for the 1994-1995 school year and part of the 1995-1996 school year. He was removed mid year following a student complaint, later working at St. Matthew’s in Wilmington (1999), Corpus Christi (1999), and St. Hedwig’s (2000). He currently works as an elementary school teacher in Florida.

Taggart is 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, and Unlawful Sexual Contact 2nd Degree.

Crisona is charged with Unlawful Sexual Contact 2nd Degree, three counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse 1st Degree, Unlawful Sexual Penetration 3rd Degree, Unlawful Sexual Contact 2nd Degree, and Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.

Both defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence. The DOJ is seeking other potential victims given the nature of the allegations and the defendants’ professional history. Anyone with information may contact (302) 577-5293 or ReportAbuse@delaware.gov to provide information to prosecutors and investigators.

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.