Document trail: Arthur W. Humphries

Trail of Betrayal


Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

In 1978, Art Humphries was accused of molesting a scout in Virginia.  A Scout executive documented the alleged abuse but didn't go to police.  Humphries remained in his position.  

When police caught up with Humphries six years later, records show he had sexually molested at least 20 boys, many of whom were in a troop of scouts with disabilities.

Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Trail of Betrayal

Full Series


  1. Part 1 - Inside the Files

    Part 1 - Inside the Files

    Our exclusive look into the Boy Scouts' confidential files – 30,000 documents, 10 journalists, 6 months of research. Our investigation reveals scouts’ pleas for help being ignored while some scout leaders were promised confidentiality.

    • Part 2 - Systemic Failures

      Part 2 - Systemic Failures

      The Scripps National Investigative Team tracks systemic problems within the Boy Scouts of America, including poor background checks, and suspected molestors moving from troop to troop. More of our exclusive interview with the leader of BSA.

      • Part 3 - Scouts Today

        Part 3 - Scouts Today

        After revelations of abuse within the Boy Scouts of America, how has the organization and its policies changed, and are changes working? You’ll hear different sides. Plus, a one-time abused scout has to decide whether scouting is right for his sons.

        Extended Interviews


        1. Video interview: Tom Stewart

          Video interview: Tom Stewart

          Former scout Tom Stewart describes years of abuse he suffered as a child, and how he views scouting today as a father.

        2. Video interview: Patrick Boyle

          Video interview: Patrick Boyle

           

          Boyle wrote “Scout’s Honor,” a 1994 book examining child sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts of America.

        Related Stories


        1. Expert: Exposing abuses will help kids

          Expert: Exposing abuses will help kids

          Patrick Boyle was the first to publish reports of the Boy Scouts of America's confidential "ineligible volunteers" files, in 1994.  Boyle says the attention these files are now getting will do good for kids.

          • Boy Scouts' president official statement

            Boy Scouts' president official statement

            An official response to our investigation from Boy Scouts of America national president Wayne Perry.

            Document Trail


            1. Document trail: William A. Hoefling

              Document trail: William A. Hoefling

              Look at the confidential documents in Hoefling's file.  Hoefling was a troop leader near Detroit.

              • Document trail: Brian K. Liska

                Document trail: Brian K. Liska

                Examine for yourself: the documents in his confidential files. To this day, Liska said he doesn’t know if national Scouting officials approved his application because they were unaware of his past conviction -- or if they knew about it but decided he was fit nonetheless.

                • Document trail: Scott A. Herrick

                  Document trail: Scott A. Herrick

                  Click to view confidential documents in his file. Herrick is currently serving a 95-year sentence.