Knoxville, Tennessee - A Knoxville Catholic priest is suspended from any duties connected with the church, following allegations by a man claiming Father William "Bill" Casey sexually abused him as a child.
Forty-four year old Warren Tucker broke down outside the Knoxville Diocese Wednesday just moments after leveling bombshell accusations of sexual abuse allegedly committed against him as a child.
Tucker said, "my abuser is a Catholic priest who remains active in the Knoxville Diocese."
Tucker stopped short of naming the accused priest, but investigators in North Carolina had no problem releasing his identity.
"This is William Casey. I think he also goes by Bill Casey," said Detective Jennifer Tranthem of the McDowell County, NC Sheriff's Office.
Tucker claims some of the abuse happened in McDowell County. He contacted police there first.
"The statutes are far more favorable to victims of childhood sexual abuse," said Tucker.
"The investigation has been turned over to the district attorney's office," said Tranthem.
Tucker says he's coming forward now after finally gathering enough courage to publicly call Father Casey: "a pedophile who sexually abused me in every way imaginable from the time I was 10-years old until I was 15-years old."
Church leaders say they are aware of sex abuse allegations against Casey.
"His priestly faculties have been suspended. That means he cannot present himself in any form as a clergy, he cannot wear clerical garb, and he cannot provide any priestly function whatsoever," said Deacon Sean Smith, of the Knoxville Diocese.
We asked church leaders if there have been previous allegations of sex abuse against Casey or any other Knoxville priest.
"There's been no accusation against any priest," said Smith.
