Pearl River, Louisiana – A state judge has directed the return of electronics belonging to a former Roman Catholic priest who confessed to obscenity charges related to a scandalous incident that occurred in 2020. Travis Clark was found having sexual encounters with two dominatrices atop an altar, a story that gained national attention.
Judge Ellen Creel’s ruling, issued on August 4, permitted law enforcement to return several electronic devices, including cellphones, tablets, and computers, which had been seized during Clark’s investigation. However, the ruling included a stipulation that all data on these devices must be erased to prevent potentially scandalous videos from becoming public.
Clark’s legal team expressed their belief that none of the contentious videos were stored on his devices. Attorneys Marc Hoerner and Michael Kennedy confirmed that the electronics were still awaiting return while authorities sanitized the data. The dominatrices, known by their stage names, Lady Vi and Empress Ming, have not sought the return of their confiscated electronics, though Hoerner indicated any future retrieval would also involve data deletion.
Reports indicate the videos contained disturbing content, including depictions of a communion chalice used inappropriately and Clark participating in explicit acts while on church property. This encounter, which took place at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, was witnessed by a passerby who notified authorities after recording part of the incident through a window.
Police intervention led to the group’s arrest and the confiscation of various items, including recording devices and stage equipment. Following the incident, New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond had the altar burned and replaced it, further emphasizing the scandal’s impact on the community.
Despite public backlash, Hoerner contended that Clark’s actions were consensual and legal among adults, though they contradicted the expectations of a clergy member. To move forward, Clark ultimately pleaded guilty to obscenity in 2022.
Both Lady Vi and Empress Ming faced similar charges and were sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to institutional vandalism. Clark received a brief jail term after violating probation by participating in a media interview explaining his actions, where he discussed the struggles of celibacy and feelings of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a subsequent interview, Lady Vi defended their actions, describing the filming as consensual and criticizing the legal repercussions they faced. She highlighted the ambiguity of their situation, given the church’s religious significance in a conservative region of the U.S.
Clark has distanced himself from the priesthood, yet he expressed continued faith in God and acknowledged the importance of mercy and forgiveness. This case, underlining profound questions of morality and societal expectations, has left an indelible mark on the local community and beyond.
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