The Missouri Department of Corrections has added former Kanakuk Kamp director Pete Newman, 34, in its online offender database. Taney County Circuit Court Judge Michael Orr sentenced Newman to two life sentences plus 30 years after Newman pleaded guilty to committing numerous sex crimes involving underage boys. Information provided about Newman on the DOC website includes his height, 6-1, weight, 214 pounds, and a profile photo.Monday, June 21, 2010
Pete Newman arrives at Fulton Reception & Diagnostic Center
The Missouri Department of Corrections has added former Kanakuk Kamp director Pete Newman, 34, in its online offender database. Taney County Circuit Court Judge Michael Orr sentenced Newman to two life sentences plus 30 years after Newman pleaded guilty to committing numerous sex crimes involving underage boys. Information provided about Newman on the DOC website includes his height, 6-1, weight, 214 pounds, and a profile photo.
WOW! A different look every time we see him!
ReplyDeleteExactly. The many "faces" of Pete Newman is how it all "worked" for him.
ReplyDeleteWonder why this look? Wonder if he's attemping to look mean and intimidating now that's he's with the big boys?
Or maybe they don't let him shave???
Does anybody know how often he's allowed to shower and shave?
It just seems shocking to see this look, when he looked SO different just 12 days ago at his sentencing.
I don't see why everyone's being so judgmental. It's not very Christian.
ReplyDeleteIs this Pete?
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that matters is that his pedophilia is OVER. Could care less about his masks.
ReplyDelete10:36, this picture was taken on 6/15, just 6 days after his sentencing....BIG change!
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Now people are judging the snapshot of a man entering prison to spend the rest of his days. Would you prefer he was smiling. I would imagine it's standard procedure to not give a razor to a person who just got a sentence like Pete's. Come on people. He plead guilty, he aknowledged his crimes and sins in his sentencing hearing and now he is serving his life in prison----it's over. Move forward. If you can't show some grace, it might benefit you to find something else to occupy your time.
ReplyDeleteI have an idea! I'll "move forward" by trolling message boards criticizing people who are still commenting about Pete! That'll do the trick!
ReplyDeleteCome on, @7:04, you're the pot calling the kettle black. The best way to "move forward" is to actually, um, you know, do it, and not comment on what other people do or don't do.
@7:04 I don't think he has even come close to admitting ALL of his crimes and sins against children.
ReplyDelete7:04
ReplyDeleteIf you have "moved forward" why are you still commenting on this blog...or for that matter EVEN visiting this blog.
it might benefit you to find something else to occupy your time.
He does look terrible...but, I can imagine his looks are the last thing on his mind. As for 7:04...I guess judgement can be in many forms directed at different people. It seems a little "judgement" may be coming from you
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, does anyone know if these inmates get to shower and shave every day? Once a week? What? Does anyone know? Just so shocked by his appearance.
ReplyDelete11:50, we'll SEE if he is sorry when all of us who were victimized get letters of apology from him. A LOT of us know each other, so time will tell. If not, then we'll know that that little speech he gave to the judge was just another act. If "the words 'I'm sorry' are to be the most often spoken words out of his mouth," then A LOT of letters should be in the mail VERY SOON.
ReplyDelete2:43
ReplyDeleteWould you really want a letter of apology from him? I would not want any contact with him what so ever. There are just some things in life that an apology is not warranted and this is one of them. If you did receive a letter of apology, would you respond? Would you begin correspondence? If so, wouldn't he have succeeded in keeping his victims "close" to him? Yuck.
To 2:43...just curious. You implied Pete's apology to the victims would be more sincere if he sent letters to each victim.
ReplyDeleteMy question is how would you know he was sincere in the letter? Again, just curious...I would like to understand your reasoning.
Thanks.
I'd like to know the same thing. You can NEVER trust this guy. He's a sociopath. Don't be deceived a second time.
ReplyDeleteJust reading the last few posts gives me chills. I would hope none of the victims would want any contact with this man. Do not allow him to continue to have any relevance in your life.
ReplyDeleteAnd for God's sake keep him away from your children and not let him correspond with them!!
ReplyDeleteHe was a master of disguise. Clean cut, concerned youth leader, devoted camp counselor, sincere family friend, and finally defendant awaiting judgement. Now he is going where men with his history are afraid of what awaits him. Time to look dangerous for his own protection, as dangerous as he has actually been all along. This is what the man who was working with children all those years really looked like inside, the whole time.
ReplyDelete9:48-- MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy comments to the parent of a victim... Please do not put hopes in what Pete might write or for a more "personalized apology." No contact is the best way to heal. No words he will say are going to take the pain or make it go away. Pete is not credible.
ReplyDeleteContinue on your own path to healing with your child independent of Pete. There's no doubt in my mind he will attempt to contact young boys/men outside of prison. This is what he wants. This will allow Pete to continue his pattern of dysfunctional behavior, his inherent need for the attention of young boys( and even their forgiveness - thus - more connection/dependence with him) and inhibit the healing process for his victims. He is not a well man - despite his formal 'apology in court." He is master of disguise, manipulator and pedophile. I seriously doubt he has been rehabilitated in just three short weeks - or for that matter - "seen the magnitude of his sin fully and completely." If this were so his court statement would have been more about the true extent of the damage he has caused, his utter despair over the far reaching effects of his sin than a statement that was very self focused.
Sometimes the best revenge is living your life well. Live well survivors.
to 2:00
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right!!!!!!! Begin living a life focused on healing and health, not on the past and this sick individual. No more control given to Pete!!!!!!!!!!
Instead of writing to the victims how about Pete give a list of victims names to the attorneys or proper authorities so that parents can be made aware and begin the steps to getting their kids help. Their are kids that are still coming forward after denying everything to their parents for a year. If he was truly sorry he would do that. Seems he only confessed (after lying to his family and friends) to those things that were brought out, nothing more.
I hope all of you victims think that putting a man away for his life will "heal" you.
ReplyDelete2:00-- I believe you are sincere in your thoughts and "advice". We have our own therapist, and how we choose to deal with healing and moving forward will be a very personal decision. If we choose to read a letter that Pete may or may not write us and/or if we choose to return a letter, that will be our choice to make. If forgiving is part of our letting go, well that is personal for each and every victim and their family. What we don't need is people telling us what is right and what is wrong. Most of us have counselors and therapists who are working through this with us. I believe everyone on here wants whats best for the victims, but sometimes the best thing for us IS Letting us take our own path toward healing even if it's not the same for all of us. Please don't pass judgement on what we may or may not do. Thanks for caring, and please continue to pray for the healing, we all are seeking.
ReplyDelete8:25, not one person is so naive that they believe his imprisonment alone will "heal" them. Watch how you judge these victims. Who do you think you are? The victims did not put him away. HIS ACTIONS did. Pete put himself away.
ReplyDeleteTo 8:25...I'm assumuning you made your comment just to get a rise from the victim's families, and others of us who are praying for them.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you wouldn't add your name to your comment. No rational person would think that someone going to prison could heal them of the damage the person has done to them.
So, good job. You did get a rise.
8:33...this is 2 PM.....I apologize if you feel I was judging your healing process and your decision whether to read a letter from Pete and your forgiveness process. I was not. Of course, every one has their own way of dealing with this horrible tragedy and working through issues. I am thankful you are working with therapists and are finding support helpful. I did not mean to make you feel worse.
ReplyDeleteMy concern was really from the standpoint of the "abuser - or perp." I am sure your counselors have explained the traits of pedophiles and abusers and you are well educated. They do not change over night ( not much positive research for rehab of pedophiles either) and will continue to manipulate their victims for their own selfish needs ( ie - Pete needing attention and forgiveness from his victims).
Many victims find it difficult to heal while they are having contact with the abuser and many therapists believe that no contact - at least for a certain period of time - allows the survivor time to process feelings and the trauma without the "toxic" influence of the abuser ( or for that matter - others that do not believe the victim or validate their experience).
However, as you state, each person may have a different opinion. I respect that. I do hope you find the healing you need in whatever way. And yes I will continue to pray for you and all the families.
I would hope part of his sentence would include no contact with victims.
ReplyDeleteNewman being jailed for life has nothing to do with "healing." He is being punished. Duh.
ReplyDeleteDon't try to tell the victims and their parents how to "heal" and how to "feel" and when/how to "forgive." That is between them and God.
Good grief. The comments of some of the people on this blog are just re-opening these wounds and hurting those already harmed by Newman.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
ReplyDeleteThis is directed to ALL of us, regardless of who we are.
I just love the armchair theology experts who weigh in on these posts.
ReplyDeletePaul's letter to the church at Galatia relate specifically to THE LAW. There was much debate at the time about the actual practice of Christianity and THE LAW. Paul is telling the church that Christ freed them from the law (Jewish laws) and not to be burdened by practices and customs.
Whereas we can all find some inspiration and wisdom in scripture, it is important to understand the context and purpose of the verse. Pulling out a scripture verse and finger-wagging toward the people who are hurting in this circumstance is EXACTLY what Paul was warning the church about. Leave the healing to God, and stop telling these people how to live with what has happened to them.
I'm so offended that someone (or several) keep popping on here to tell the victims and their parents that they are "sinning." They deserve to be treated with dignity and given as much time and space as they need.
I'm a previous camper who knew Pete and don't really know what to think about all this. I've been following it ever since my mother discovered the story online and hadn't looked up the updates for about a month. I personally believe that Pete is good at heart, just grew up and was more confused than anyone else about the right way to live and the wrong way to live. It's saddening to think that I probably knew some of the victims and that this happened while I was at Kanakuk. Pete let us all down.
ReplyDelete8:58, please!
ReplyDelete8:58, if you are a kid, then please let go of your "Pete is a hero/good guy thoughts." My kids have had to come to terms with the fact that he is, indeed, not a good guy, but a poser. Someone who pretended to be good in order to bad....VERY bad, dark, horrible, evil things to innocent little kids.
ReplyDeleteYou (and all of us) need to keep our eyes squarely focused upon JESUS, the author and perfector of our faith.....Read Hebrews 12: 1-3. Never put people on a pedestal. They will eventually let you down. Perhaps not in this extreme, sick way....but all people have sin and fall short. Christ alone is our hope, and our model, and worthy of our respect, admiration. Keep your eyes on him.
If ALL of us who "knew" Pete would have had our eyes solely fixed upon Jesus, and none other, then we wouldn't have been so let down by this.
People-worship is a dangerous thing. Pete was idolized, no doubt about it. And he loved it, and craved it. It fed his sickness, and also covered his sickness.
There is probably not ONE SANE person who still thinks highly of him. Not one. How sad.
Anybody know when or where he's headed after Fulton?
ReplyDeleteAs an ex-camper of Kanakuk, I'd just like to say that Pete was the reason that many of us campers went back every year. His eternal energy, positivity and loving charisma are attributes that I admire and will forever strive to attain. We all have faults and flaws, however Pete's hurt more than I could ever imagine. Of course, my heart breaks for those whom Pete victimized and I'm sorry that he ever felt like he had to do what he did. Nonetheless, I urge all believers and even non-believers to take to heart what Jesus taught us and to forgive Pete for what he has done. Nobody is perfect except for Jesus and we all have our flaws, I simply want you to see Pete for all the good and love he bestowed upon the people around him. I will always love you and cherish your life Pete Newman.
ReplyDelete" I simply want you to see Pete for all the good and love he bestowed upon the people around him."
ReplyDeleteReally! You REALLY think the "good" and "love" were actually genuine? Really? As with Pete, there is a disconnect somewhere in your head if you really believe there was true love in his heart. Don't you get that this man was evil? Who LOVES while doing what he did? You've got to be kidding! You're delusional, like a few others who are still blindly following him like a "cult." I hope you don't have kids. And I hope you use more discernment than you're showing here, when you decide WHO gets to be close to your kids and "love" on them. Get yourself to a good counselor, and fast.
Forgive, yes. Forget, never. WE MUST LEARN FROM THIS PEDOPHILE AND HIS WAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
His "loving charisma" is what he used to violate dozens of kids. If you want to continue to sing his praises, go visit him in prison. Most of us don't want to hear you spout crap like that anymore. Enough!!!!!
ReplyDeletePete is a sick man. However NONE of us can fathom the twisted wiring of his brain. Nature AND nuture corrupted this man. Only God knows our hearts and I personally see both sides. I'd hope his Christianity was sincere and none of us could ever know for sure. I lie Jesus but dapple in unchristlike behavior such as drugs sex and starvation and i am not perfect. Again yes Pete is a snake but Iet God determine his heart and stop insulting confused campers!
ReplyDeleteThe true test of any Christian is our response to Jesus' words: "Follow Me."
ReplyDeleteJesus close friend, John, put it this way in 1 John 2:6, "This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."
It's the same "test" for Pete as it is for all of us who claim to be Christians.
The true test of any Christian is what we do with Jesus' words: "Follow Me."
ReplyDeleteIn 1 John 1:5-6, Jesus's good friend wrote: "This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."
It's the same test for Pete as it is for any of us who call ourselves Christian.
Being a Christian is not simply praying a prayer to "accept" Jesus. It's a commitment to follow Him.
I wrote both 4:32 and 4:49. I wrote the second one because I wasn't sure the first blog went through. Sorry about the "almost" duplication.
ReplyDeleteIsn't this interesting?
ReplyDeleteI've watched this case for the last year. I read the court cases online, watched with an interest of Christian Behavior, and wondered how the faith community would handle one of their own in sin. I've been pleased with the judicial system, making sure an offender of children is put away forever. Pleased to watch an upstanding ministry try to make ammends to victims and their families.
What I struggle with are all these Anonymous comments. Why are we so bold in our words without claiming our identity? If we really feel so strongly, then feel strong enough to stand at the podium of courage and boldness. It's likened to the same thing Mr. Newman did, He hid behind the safety of a forgiving organization, and spewed his own sin forth. Why do you feel the need to hide behind your computer screen while posting such vile comments, and then posting anonymous?
Understanding the need for anonymity for victims and their families, I urge those of you who are so vehement to claim yourself. Or maybe, it's safer this way. Our culture is rewarded for being able to give an opinion without consequence. Maybe it's just that we all have dark circles we need to protect from the public. but that's for another story.
The bottom line, justice has been served. Victims are taking steps to heal. Faith is in crisis as to how you can allow such a monster in the gates. Families will be shy to trust from now on. And the "good" of ministry is tarnished yet again.
We live in a country where the right of opinion is covered under the constitution, but really? Are we going to stand so strong we're not able to allow for our identity to be seen?? WEAK!
Can you imagine George Washington hiding behind a surname when he started the revolution? Thomas Jefferson writing the declaration behind a ghost writer? Or George Bush cowering from the decisions of a countries perpetual war? NO...those are real men who will go down in history with the strength of their convictions. Good, bad, or ugly.
Pete isn't able to harm anymore children, and for that we should rejoice. But for us as a culture to stand up against more Pete's of the world, it's going to take a lot more gumption that we're showing here.
Stop hiding behind your computer screen, and let's ban together to prevent future pedophilia in our communities.
Let God deal with Pete now. He'll never see another light of freedom in this life, or maybe the next; who knows?
Maybe we should think about locking arms to solve more issues, rather than bickering about something that doesn't change anything.
Call me crazy.
Anybody heard anything re: Pete?
ReplyDeletePerhaps we remain anonymous to protect our children.
ReplyDeleteAny body know if Pete is still in Fulton or if he has been transferred to a prison in MO?
ReplyDeleteStill so hard to wrap my mind around all of this whole ordeal.
Betrayal of a trusted leader is devastating but I know the Lord is showing me to keep my eyes on Him and not a person.
I heard that Pete was transferred to a prison in Charleston, Mo on Sept 14th. It is a maximum security prison.
ReplyDelete