The former pastor of a New York megachurch was sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing two young girls.
John A. Camardo III, of Williamsville, was handed the sentence on Monday, October 19, after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree rape and one count of second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
“I commend these two brave victims as their disclosures were essential to hold this defendant accountable for his crimes,” Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane said in a news release. “I understand that it is incredibly difficult for crime victims, particularly survivors of sexual abuse, to come forward, but their cooperation is critical to uncover the truth and achieve justice.”
Camardo, 47, was the former executive pastor of The Chapel, a megachurch based in western New York, according to The Buffalo News. He also previously coached an under-13 girls soccer team in Amherst.
Camardo was accused of sexually abusing two girls known to him in Amherst, about a 10-mile drive northeast from Buffalo, according to prosecutors.
One of the girls Camardo sexually abused was reportedly 8 years old when the alleged abuse began. He allegedly started to rape her when she was 11.
In court, the girl said Camardo was known as a pastor, coach, father of four children and someone who “opened his home to foster children,” but he was also “child rapist and pedophile,” according to The Buffalo News.
“He sits here today and pretends to feel shame for what he’s done,” the girl also reportedly said. “I can assure you he does not.”
The other accuser, who’s now 11, said in court that Camardo abused her “for a long time.”
Following Camardo’s guilty plea in July, Jerry Gillis, a pastor at The Chapel, addressed the “disheartening news” of the alleged sexual abuse and detailed the church’s response to the case in a letter to the church community.
Gillis wrote that Camardo was immediately placed on administrative leave after staff learned of the criminal allegations against him and that he resigned a few days later.
“Very recently, we were able to privately speak the truth in love to John and we rebuked him for his ungodly and harmful actions and called him to full repentance,” the July letter stated, in part.
The Chapel has four locations in New York, including Cheektowaga, Getzville, Lockport and Niagara, according to its website.
At his sentencing, Camardo read a statement and issued an apology, saying, “I realize that I broke trust with everyone and everything that I care about,” per The Buffalo News.
In an emailed statement to Us, Camardo’s defense attorney, Barry Covert, said on Tuesday, October 20, that his client “has taken full and complete responsibility for his actions and greatly regrets the harm that he has caused.”
Camardo’s sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release, according to the district attorney’s office. He’s also required to register as a sex offender.
Final orders of protection were also issued on Monday to protect Camardo’s victims, which will be active until July 2054.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
