JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — A former priest and ex-director of ARC of Greater New Orleans possessed a collection of photos of passed-out men, some in the process of being sexually assaulted, according to a prosecutor who presented the evidence at a bail hearing Thursday morning.
Stephen Sauer, 59, was arrested Monday and booked on five counts of video voyeurism and one count of sexual battery. Jefferson Parish detectives determined that the backgrounds in the confiscated photos matched a room in Sauer’s home as well as inside of his car, the prosecutor said.
All five of the alleged video voyeurism victims who were seen passed out in the graphic photos later told Jefferson Parish detectives that the activities were against their will, the prosecutor said. The detectives used photo I.D.’s that were included in the stash of sexually explicit photographs that identify the five victims, according to Jefferson Parish Assistant District Attorney Kellie Rish.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies served a search warrant on Sauer’s Metairie home on Monday, and what they found was enough to arrest him on the spot. During the raid, deputies found sleeping drugs, syringes, condoms and other incriminating items, Rish said.
Court Commissioner Patricia Joyce set Sauer’s bail at $75,000 – $10,000 on each voyeurism count and $25,000 on the battery count. Should Sauer make bail, Joyce also placed Sauer on home incarceration and issued a strict stay-away order preventing him from contacting any of the alleged victims.
Video voyeurism is punishable by a prison sentence of up to two years, while sexual battery carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
ARC is a non-profit to help the mentally handicapped, especially well-known for employing handicapped adults to sort and sell used Mardi Gras beads. So far, no evidence has been presented that links any of the alleged crimes to Sauer's work with the disabled.
In addition to ARC director, from which he was removed Monday, Sauer has held posts ranging from the pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church in downtown New Orleans to serving as a trustee at Loyola University.
A spokesperson for the Jesuits said that Sauer left the order “at his own request" in 2020.
The facts of the case have sounded alarms with the national organization SNAP – Survivors Network of People Abused by Priests.
SNAP Communication Director Mike McDonnell said Immaculate Conception Church, the Jesuits and all organizations that employed Sauer should alert their congregations and clients.
“We don't know the number of victims that could be out there. We also don't know that the victims even know they are victims. That is our biggest concern,” McDonnell said. “We know that he has been exposed to many children, adults, and that scares us. It is not his first paper route, that is our opinion.”
Immaculate Conception Church, on Baronne Street in downtown New Orleans, did not return calls for comment. Neither did defense attorney Michael Ciaccio, who represented Sauer at his bail hearing.
ARC released this statement on Wednesday: “The ArcGNO team will focus on ensuring the organization’s work continues with minimal disruption. The stability of ArcGNO and safety of its clients are the organization’s top priorities. We have pledged our full cooperation to the authorities in this matter.”
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office said the investigation could lead to more victims and charges. The department said anyone with additional information can call JPSO’s Personal Violence Section at (504) 364-5300.
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