Fr. Fred Ingalls – Diocese of Buffalo

| Oct 21, 2019 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father Fred Ingalls

Diocese of Buffalo

Ordained: 1974

Removed: 2004

Assigned as follows:

  • 1975-1982      St. Joseph Church (Batavia, NY)
  • 1983-1988      St. Joseph (Niagara Falls, NY)
  • 1989-1990      St. Margaret (Buffalo, NY)
  • 1991-1996      St. Joseph (Batavia, NY)
  • 1997-2003      St. John the Baptist Church (Alden, NY)
  • 2004                Diocesan Judge; St. Cecilia (Strykersville, NY)
  • 2004                St. Joseph (Varysburg, NY)

Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Fred Ingalls:

According to media reports, in February 2004, Father Fred Ingalls was placed on leave after he was criminally charged with receiving child pornography and storing on a computer in the rectory. He was working as a Diocesan Judge at St. Cecilia in Strykersville and St. Joseph in Varysburg at the time of his arrest. He was then sent to an out-of-state treatment facility.

According to the charges Father Ingalls paid for access to  “members only” child pornography sites on 13 different occasions between July 2002 through June 2003. In June 2004, he pleaded guilty to possession of 144 pornographic images. In 2005, he was sentenced to 3 years and 1 month in federal prison. He retired in 2005, and in December 2007, he was released from prison.

According to media reports, in March 2018, Father Ingalls’ name was included in the Diocese of Buffalo’s list of priests who “were removed from ministry, were retired, or left ministry after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.” No information regarding the allegations was disclosed.

According to media reports, in August 2019, Father Ingalls was accused in a lawsuit filed under the NY Child Victims Act, of sexually abusing a 10-year-old child from 1982 to 1983, while assigned to St. Joseph’s School in Niagara Falls. His current whereabouts are unknown.

In April 2020, Father he was one of 23 priests removed off of the Diocese of Buffalo’s payroll through an agreement it reached with survivors in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo and throughout New York. The Diocese of Buffalo filed for federal bankruptcy protection in February 2020. Anyone sexually abused by a priest or employee of the Diocese of Buffalo may be entitled to file a claim against the Diocese in these bankruptcy proceedings, but very strict filing deadlines apply. Most victims of abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo will never be able to take action against the Diocese of Buffalo if they miss this bankruptcy filing deadline, so it is important that you contact us immediately to discuss your potential case.

Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your legal options today.