When authority figures betray trust, the harm lasts a lifetime.
Recognizing the profound impact of these violations, Andreozzi and Foote has taken decisive action. The firm recently filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of two survivors against Seat Pleasant Baptist Church, the Alexandria City School Board, and Kenneth Keith Long.
Abuse on Church & School Grounds
According to the lawsuit, Long held two positions of trust, which he exploited over multiple years. Beginning around 1994, while employed as a substitute teacher at Francis C. Hammond Middle School within the Alexandria City school district, Long began sexually abusing one of the victims.
Then, around 1995, he invited both victims, minors at the time, to join Seat Pleasant Baptist Church, where he served as a pastor. Acting within his role, he sexually abused both victims.
The “Alpha Pi Gents” Fraternity
The abuse was not limited to just school and church. Alpha Pi Gents, a so-called college prep group, was created by Long as part of his pattern of grooming and abuse. He would host gatherings at his house with 15-20 students, who he would coerce into sexual acts with himself and each other.
Federal Conviction & the “Atlantis” Alias
Over the course of approximately ten years, Long preyed upon at least six boys, aged 13 to 16. In 2000, a federal jury convicted Long on two counts of interstate transportation of a minor for sexual activity and two counts of possessing child pornography. He received a 360-month prison sentence. Long appealed his conviction, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit unanimously upheld the verdict and sentence, rejecting all of his arguments. He remains in custody.
Read the full appellate opinion here (United States v. Long, No. 02-3003, D.C. Cir. 2003).
Notably, the civil complaint lists him only as Kenneth Keith Long. The nickname “Atlantis” does not appear in the civil suit, district court records, or federal appellate opinion. However, it was reported in media coverage of his 1999 arrest, including a Washington Post article that identified him as “Kenneth ‘Atlantis’ Long” during the federal investigation.
Legal Claims in the Kenneth Keith Long Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleges that both Seat Pleasant Baptist Church and the Alexandria City School Board had a duty to protect those in their care but failed to act on clear warning signs about Kenneth Long. It further states that Long’s sexual abuse of the plaintiffs constitutes assault and battery and resulted in significant emotional trauma.
Because both institutions placed Long in positions of authority and allowed him access to children, they are being held legally responsible alongside him for his actions.
You Are Not Alone
If you experienced abuse at the hands of Kenneth “Atlantis” Keith Long, leaders at Seat Pleasant Baptist Church, staff at Francis C. Hammond Middle School, or staff at any school within Alexandria City school district, you are not alone.
Filing a civil lawsuit gives survivors a powerful way to hold institutions accountable, secure justice, and access resources for healing and recovery.
At Andreozzi and Foote, we represent survivors in these cases with compassion and purpose. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, our team will listen, advocate, and stand with you every step of the way.
Contact us by phone or email for a free, confidential consultation.
