Former Priest, Teacher, Suspected Of Child Sex Assault

Former Priest, Teacher, Suspected Of Child Sex Assault

Police Looking For More Victims

May 31, 2002

DENVER -- Denver police announced the arrest of a man wanted for sex assault against children and 7NEWS reported that the suspect is a former Episcopal priest, foster parent, and teacher.

Donald Shissler, 69, was arrested at his home (pictured, left) on suspicion of pornography with children and sex assault against children, 7NEWS reported Friday.

During a search of his home police said they found numerous videotapes and pictures of young boys engaged in sexual acts.

Shissler was being held in the city jail under a $50,000 bond Friday.

7NEWS Investigates reporter John Ferrugia said that Shissler was an Episcopal priest 30 years ago, a foster parent in the 1980s, and a teacher at North High School from 1984 to 1994.

Police were looking for possible additional victims in the case, according to 7NEWS.

"We believe this is not an isolated incident," said Virginia Lopez, a Denver police spokeswoman.

She said the investigation was continuing and that police were looking at the pornographic photographs to see if the boys pictured might have been foster children of Schissler.

The Episcopal Church of Colorado confirmed that Shissler was a vicar at Christ Church in Aspen from 1960 to 1963 and released this statement:

"Donald Shissler is not an actively affiliated with the church. But it does appear 39 years ago Shissler was a priest with our church for about three years before resigning. He has had no position with any church since that time. There is no record of any allegations of misconduct while he was with the church. However, we deeply deplore the fact that he may have violated the young people. Our church is about honesty, accountability and healing."