should Newman really have been bonded out of Taney County at all?”
The former assistant director of a Christian sports camp in Branson pleaded not guilty today on charges he molested a host of boys over a nine-year-period. Peter D. Newman, 33, faces charges of second-degree statutory sodomy, enticement of a child and two counts of sexual misconduct involving a child less than 15. In documents filed in Taney County court Monday, he is accused of gaining the trust of male campers through his role at Branson-based Kanakuk Kamps, where he was a popular figure. After what court documents describe as a grooming period, the man is alleged to have held private Bible studies in his hot tub, convincing several victims to masturbate with him. Documents also refer to Newman swimming nude and playing nude basketball with campers. Deputies say the crimes date back to 1999, the year Newman began working with the organization, and spanned to 2008. The man was fired earlier this year, after administrators learned of the accusations against him. He currently lives in M
