WGNO

Suspended Saint Francis Xavier deacon arrested for child molestation

NEW ORLEANS — On Monday afternoon, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a local church leader.

Virgil Maxey “V.M.” Wheeler III is accused of molesting a pre-teen boy in the shower 20 years ago.

His arrest comes months after Wheeler was suspended from his role as a deacon at Saint Francis Xavier Church.

Wheeler is booked withone count of battery and two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile.