Bethpage, NY
Federal agents arrested a senior New York State parole officer at his
Bethpage home on Tuesday on charges he allegedly possessed and shared
child pornography.
James Leone is a senior parole official, whose duties include
commanding officers who supervise paroled sex offenders. According to a
criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday, Leone possessed videos of minor
children engaged in sexually explicit and lewd conduct.
Youngwood, PA
A resident of Westmoreland County,
Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a
charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a
minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one-count indictment named Joshua J. Gildea, 25, formerly of 116
South 7th Street, Youngwood, Pa., as the sole defendant. According to
the indictment, on July 30, 2012, Gildea possessed visual depictions,
namely, images and videos in computer graphics files, the production of
which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
New Caney, TX
A man
has been accused of making child pornography and detectives are trying
to determine how many children were forced to perform sexual acts.
John
Paul Ebarb, 41, has been charged with manufacturing and distribution of
child pornography and sexual performance by a child. He is being held
in the Montgomery County Jail without bond.
Montgomery
County sheriff's deputies said Ebarb was making child pornography in
the New Caney area and sent it to people in other states.
Frankfort, KY
A Kenton County man is facing charges on accusations that he had more than 30,000 child pornography files on his computers.
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Sunday, September 30, 2012
Crimes against Children 9-30-12
Santa Ana, CA
A former Orange County high school teacher pleaded guilty Friday to molesting two underage girls and possessing child pornography.
Mathew Macul Fahey, 51, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor and one felony count of possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in state prison.
Trenton, NJ
A Middlesex County man on Friday admitted distributing images and videos of child pornography over the Internet, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.Jacob Rios, 24, of Old Bridge pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to one count of distribution of child pornography.
Highland Springs, VA
Ocala, FL
The man accused of molesting at least five children in his Ocala home entered a no contest plea to possession of child pornography Monday morning.
George Fout, a former Eagle Scout, was charged with 28 counts of child pornography stemming from a February 2012 arrest. The 25-year-old still faces charges in five cases of molestation.
Radnor, PA
Albany, NY
An Albany man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after admitting to distributing child pornography.
The U.S. Attorney's office says in December 2011, Leonard Gaines, 56, used a file sharing program to distribute about 100 images of child porn.
While executing a search warrant in March, investigators say they took two computers with pornography files.
Gaines pleaded guilty in May. In addition to time served, he must register as a sex offender and cannot have any unsupervised contact with minors.
Harrison County, MS
A sex offender living in Saucier has been arrested on five counts of possession of child pornography.
Justin Michael Meyer, 36, was arrested Monday at his home on Nells Road following an investigation by the Harrison County Sheriff's Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Sheriff Melvin Brisolara said Meyer is accused of sending or receiving sexually explicit pictures of children over the Internet on his home computer.
Clovis, CA
A former Orange County high school teacher pleaded guilty Friday to molesting two underage girls and possessing child pornography.
Mathew Macul Fahey, 51, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor and one felony count of possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in state prison.
Trenton, NJ
A Middlesex County man on Friday admitted distributing images and videos of child pornography over the Internet, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.Jacob Rios, 24, of Old Bridge pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to one count of distribution of child pornography.
Highland Springs, VA
A Highland Springs man has been arrested on child pornography
charges after Henrico County police said he had inapproriate images
printed at a store in the 5100 block of Laburnum Avenue last month.
Police said Eric S. Campbell Sr., 39, of the 100 block of North New Avenue, was charged after authorities identified him as the owner of the photos.
Campbell was charged Friday with 10 counts of possession of child pornography.
Police said Eric S. Campbell Sr., 39, of the 100 block of North New Avenue, was charged after authorities identified him as the owner of the photos.
Campbell was charged Friday with 10 counts of possession of child pornography.
Ocala, FLThe man accused of molesting at least five children in his Ocala home entered a no contest plea to possession of child pornography Monday morning.
George Fout, a former Eagle Scout, was charged with 28 counts of child pornography stemming from a February 2012 arrest. The 25-year-old still faces charges in five cases of molestation.
Radnor, PA
A man who used to be a Boy Scout leader in Radnor, Delaware County, Pennsylvania sits in jail, accused of child pornography.
Federal investigators say they also
found conversations on Gerrett Conover's home computer that led them to
believe Conover may have also had an inappropriate relationship with a
young scout.
From 1999 to 2001, Conover was a
leader of Troop 284 in Radnor, according to the Boy Scouts of America
organization based in Valley Forge, Pa. The troop met at the Wayne
Presbyterian Church.
According to the statement from federal
investigators, in addition to pornographic images found on Conover's
computer:
Albany, NY
An Albany man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after admitting to distributing child pornography.
The U.S. Attorney's office says in December 2011, Leonard Gaines, 56, used a file sharing program to distribute about 100 images of child porn.
While executing a search warrant in March, investigators say they took two computers with pornography files.
Gaines pleaded guilty in May. In addition to time served, he must register as a sex offender and cannot have any unsupervised contact with minors.
Harrison County, MSA sex offender living in Saucier has been arrested on five counts of possession of child pornography.
Justin Michael Meyer, 36, was arrested Monday at his home on Nells Road following an investigation by the Harrison County Sheriff's Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Sheriff Melvin Brisolara said Meyer is accused of sending or receiving sexually explicit pictures of children over the Internet on his home computer.
Clovis, CA
A Clovis man is in custody on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography.
Dan Allen Craft was arrested Tuesday by the Fresno County sheriff's cyber crimes task force after detectives reported receiving information from FBI agents in Indianapolis that Craft was getting illegal movies and videos by email.
Detectives served warrants and seized multiple computers and hard drives. A sheriff's spokesman said Craft was communicating with a person in Florida who was abusing an 8-year-old girl. That person was arrested by authorities in Florida.
Longwood, NY
A Longwood Junior High School teacher arrested last month on charges he possessed and traded child pornography online, was back in court Tuesday after a 20-count indictment was handed down by a grand jury.
Christopher Teague was arrested in late August after detectives from the Computer Crimes Division of the Suffolk County Police Department were notified by Teague’s internet service provider that child pornography may have been transmitted through their service.
An investigation ensued, leading to an initial examination of Teague’s computers. Detectives allegedly found images and video of minor children engaged in “lewd, explicit” sexual activity.
San Diego, CA
San Diego authorities say two sheriff's deputies were wounded by a man suspected of creating child pornography with his girlfriend's young daughters. The gunman also shot himself, his girlfriend told the media.
Update at 8:05 p.m. ET: The mother of the girls, ages 6 and 8, has identified the suspect as Dan Witczak, 30, of Lakeside, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The mother said she found pornographic photos of her daughters on Witczak's cellphone about 7:30 this morning, the newspaper writes. She then went to the sheriff's department, and with deputies listening called Wltczak at the couple's apartment and confronted him about the pictures.
Dan Allen Craft was arrested Tuesday by the Fresno County sheriff's cyber crimes task force after detectives reported receiving information from FBI agents in Indianapolis that Craft was getting illegal movies and videos by email.
Detectives served warrants and seized multiple computers and hard drives. A sheriff's spokesman said Craft was communicating with a person in Florida who was abusing an 8-year-old girl. That person was arrested by authorities in Florida.
Longwood, NY
A Longwood Junior High School teacher arrested last month on charges he possessed and traded child pornography online, was back in court Tuesday after a 20-count indictment was handed down by a grand jury.
Christopher Teague was arrested in late August after detectives from the Computer Crimes Division of the Suffolk County Police Department were notified by Teague’s internet service provider that child pornography may have been transmitted through their service.
An investigation ensued, leading to an initial examination of Teague’s computers. Detectives allegedly found images and video of minor children engaged in “lewd, explicit” sexual activity.
San Diego, CA
San Diego authorities say two sheriff's deputies were wounded by a man suspected of creating child pornography with his girlfriend's young daughters. The gunman also shot himself, his girlfriend told the media.
Update at 8:05 p.m. ET: The mother of the girls, ages 6 and 8, has identified the suspect as Dan Witczak, 30, of Lakeside, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The mother said she found pornographic photos of her daughters on Witczak's cellphone about 7:30 this morning, the newspaper writes. She then went to the sheriff's department, and with deputies listening called Wltczak at the couple's apartment and confronted him about the pictures.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Crimes against Children 9-29-12
Buffalo, NY
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Buffalo has returned a three-count indictment charging Jeremy Otrosinka, 32, of Buffalo, New York, with advertising, receipt, and distribution of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 60 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward H. White, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, the defendant created and administered a website that was a password-protected bulletin board dedicated to the discussion and sharing of child pornography. On this site, members would post links to images and videos of child pornography and post private message discussions regarding child pornography. Otrosinka also sent and received e-mails that attached images and a video of child pornography.
Richmond, VA
A former truck driver pleaded guilty this morning to taking a 10-year-old girl from Virginia to Florida for sexual abuse and to producing child pornography.
Michael L. Pacelli, 37, of Longwood, Fla., faces up to life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. on Dec. 19.
Baton Rouge, LA
A 32-year-old Zachary man has pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges.
In return for the man's guilty plea, The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/PCPYgV) prosecutors dropped a charge of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Christopher S. Brown was taken immediately into custody on a motion by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam T. Le.
U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson agreed Monday with Le's argument that federal law requires immediate incarceration of people convicted on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography.
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Buffalo has returned a three-count indictment charging Jeremy Otrosinka, 32, of Buffalo, New York, with advertising, receipt, and distribution of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 60 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward H. White, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, the defendant created and administered a website that was a password-protected bulletin board dedicated to the discussion and sharing of child pornography. On this site, members would post links to images and videos of child pornography and post private message discussions regarding child pornography. Otrosinka also sent and received e-mails that attached images and a video of child pornography.
Richmond, VA
A former truck driver pleaded guilty this morning to taking a 10-year-old girl from Virginia to Florida for sexual abuse and to producing child pornography.
Michael L. Pacelli, 37, of Longwood, Fla., faces up to life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. on Dec. 19.
Baton Rouge, LA
A 32-year-old Zachary man has pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges.
In return for the man's guilty plea, The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/PCPYgV) prosecutors dropped a charge of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Christopher S. Brown was taken immediately into custody on a motion by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam T. Le.
U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson agreed Monday with Le's argument that federal law requires immediate incarceration of people convicted on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Crimes against Children 9-28-12 Part II
Pittsburgh, PA
A resident of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one-count indictment named Joshua J. Gildea, 25, formerly of 116 South 7th Street, Youngwood, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, on July 30, 2012, Gildea possessed visual depictions, namely, images and videos in computer graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Pittsburgh, PA
A resident of Allegheny County pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Harold J. Grant, III, 20, of 411 Halket Street, North Versailles, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on February 2, 2011, Grant possessed thousands of visual depictions, namely, videos and still images in computer graphics files, that were produced with the use of minors, many of whom were infants and very young children, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Grand Rapids, MI
Patrick Wiseman (33) of East Lansing, Michigan, was sentenced in federal court to a sentence of 20 years’ incarceration for trading in child pornography, U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles announced today. Wiseman was also sentenced to a lifetime term of supervised release. In sentencing Wiseman, Judge Janet Neff emphasized the need to protect the community.
Wiseman has a prior sex offense conviction in Florida for possession of child pornography in 2003 and served 30 months in prison. Wiseman came to the attention of law enforcement in 2011 when he was discovered sharing child pornography through the Internet. In July 2011, the FBI executed a search warrant on Wiseman’s home and seized his computer. While that investigation was pending, Wiseman purchased another computer and began sharing even more child pornography through the Internet. The FBI, along with Homeland Security Investigations-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (HSI-ICE), executed another search warrant on Wiseman’s home in March 2012. Wiseman’s computer was seized, and he was arrested and held in custody.
Kansas City, MO
David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Claycomo, Missouri man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for receiving child pornography over the Internet.
Jason Romdall, 33, of Claycomo, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri.
Today’s indictment alleges that Romdall received child pornography on March 26, 2012. Romdall is also charged with being in possession of child pornography, in addition to and apart from the images in the first count, on March 28, 2012.
Council Bluffs, IA
On September 26, 2012, Richard Pearson, age 51, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced in United States District Court in Council Bluffs for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual contact, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Senior United States District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt sentenced Pearson to 120 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The court also ordered Pearson to pay a $100 special assessment for the Crime Victim Fund, to register with the Sex Offender Registry, and to forfeit certain items of personal property found in his possession on the date of his arrest in southwest Iowa.
The court also considered restitution in favor of the minor victim but found that no restitution was currently owing. The defendant remains in the custody of the United States Marshals pending designation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons facility at which he will serve his sentence.
Sacramento, CA
Jamir Imari Tatum, 20, of Oakland, pleaded guilty today to distribution of child pornography, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Innocence Lost Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon is prosecuting the case.
According to court documents, in January 2012, Tatum started a sexual relationship with the 14-year-old victim. On February 21, 2012, agents found Internet advertisements for the prostitution services of the girl in Stockton. These advertisements contained three sexually explicit images taken of her in Sacramento in January. The phone number on the advertisements was Tatum’s cellphone. Agents called and made a “date.” When officers arrived, they saw the 14-year-old girl on the street corner with Tatum standing approximately 50 meters away. When officers apprehended the victim, Tatum took off running but surrendered 15 minutes later after police dogs were brought into the chase.
A resident of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The one-count indictment named Joshua J. Gildea, 25, formerly of 116 South 7th Street, Youngwood, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, on July 30, 2012, Gildea possessed visual depictions, namely, images and videos in computer graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Pittsburgh, PA
A resident of Allegheny County pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Harold J. Grant, III, 20, of 411 Halket Street, North Versailles, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on February 2, 2011, Grant possessed thousands of visual depictions, namely, videos and still images in computer graphics files, that were produced with the use of minors, many of whom were infants and very young children, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Grand Rapids, MI
Patrick Wiseman (33) of East Lansing, Michigan, was sentenced in federal court to a sentence of 20 years’ incarceration for trading in child pornography, U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles announced today. Wiseman was also sentenced to a lifetime term of supervised release. In sentencing Wiseman, Judge Janet Neff emphasized the need to protect the community.
Wiseman has a prior sex offense conviction in Florida for possession of child pornography in 2003 and served 30 months in prison. Wiseman came to the attention of law enforcement in 2011 when he was discovered sharing child pornography through the Internet. In July 2011, the FBI executed a search warrant on Wiseman’s home and seized his computer. While that investigation was pending, Wiseman purchased another computer and began sharing even more child pornography through the Internet. The FBI, along with Homeland Security Investigations-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (HSI-ICE), executed another search warrant on Wiseman’s home in March 2012. Wiseman’s computer was seized, and he was arrested and held in custody.
Kansas City, MO
David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Claycomo, Missouri man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for receiving child pornography over the Internet.
Jason Romdall, 33, of Claycomo, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri.
Today’s indictment alleges that Romdall received child pornography on March 26, 2012. Romdall is also charged with being in possession of child pornography, in addition to and apart from the images in the first count, on March 28, 2012.
Council Bluffs, IA
On September 26, 2012, Richard Pearson, age 51, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced in United States District Court in Council Bluffs for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual contact, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Senior United States District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt sentenced Pearson to 120 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The court also ordered Pearson to pay a $100 special assessment for the Crime Victim Fund, to register with the Sex Offender Registry, and to forfeit certain items of personal property found in his possession on the date of his arrest in southwest Iowa.
The court also considered restitution in favor of the minor victim but found that no restitution was currently owing. The defendant remains in the custody of the United States Marshals pending designation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons facility at which he will serve his sentence.
Sacramento, CA
Jamir Imari Tatum, 20, of Oakland, pleaded guilty today to distribution of child pornography, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Innocence Lost Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon is prosecuting the case.
According to court documents, in January 2012, Tatum started a sexual relationship with the 14-year-old victim. On February 21, 2012, agents found Internet advertisements for the prostitution services of the girl in Stockton. These advertisements contained three sexually explicit images taken of her in Sacramento in January. The phone number on the advertisements was Tatum’s cellphone. Agents called and made a “date.” When officers arrived, they saw the 14-year-old girl on the street corner with Tatum standing approximately 50 meters away. When officers apprehended the victim, Tatum took off running but surrendered 15 minutes later after police dogs were brought into the chase.
Muncie Volunteer Has Sex with Minor
Muncie, IN
Adam Maxwell is accused of betraying the trust of parents. He worked as a volunteer for The Spirit of South Marching Band Booster Club. The group helps train band members for Muncie Southside High School.
Police accuse the 21-year-old of using his position to have sex with a 16-year-old Muncie student.
“Having a sexual relationship is a powerful thing for people and he couldn’t overcome the feelings he had for the girl,” said Sgt. Linda Cook with Muncie Police.
Investigators believe Maxwell and the girl started the relationship during the summer.
Their cover-up came to an abrupt end when the victim's father found a nude photo of Maxwell on his daughter’s phone. The father called police. Investigators questioned Maxwell who admitted to having a sexual relationship with the girl.
Adam Maxwell is accused of betraying the trust of parents. He worked as a volunteer for The Spirit of South Marching Band Booster Club. The group helps train band members for Muncie Southside High School.
Police accuse the 21-year-old of using his position to have sex with a 16-year-old Muncie student.
“Having a sexual relationship is a powerful thing for people and he couldn’t overcome the feelings he had for the girl,” said Sgt. Linda Cook with Muncie Police.
Investigators believe Maxwell and the girl started the relationship during the summer.
Their cover-up came to an abrupt end when the victim's father found a nude photo of Maxwell on his daughter’s phone. The father called police. Investigators questioned Maxwell who admitted to having a sexual relationship with the girl.
Security Follows Mooresville HS Threat
Mooresville, IN
A bomb threat was discovered at Mooresville High School on Thursday.
The threat was found in a bathroom. It was a picture, drawn in pencil, of a bomb with Friday's date, Sept. 28, indicated.
School officials immediately called police and alerted parents, with a message that reads, in part, “The disruption of our educational day and a threat upon the safety of our students is a very serious matter. We will make every effort to keep our school community informed as more information becomes available.”
The Mooresville Police Department told 24-Hour News 8 bomb sniffing dogs searched several times inside the school overnight Thursday into Friday but turned up nothing.
Police are also reviewing security footage taken from several cameras inside the school.
If a student is responsible, Mooresville's Chief Communications Officer, Susan Haynes, said that student could face expulsion.
A bomb threat was discovered at Mooresville High School on Thursday.
The threat was found in a bathroom. It was a picture, drawn in pencil, of a bomb with Friday's date, Sept. 28, indicated.
School officials immediately called police and alerted parents, with a message that reads, in part, “The disruption of our educational day and a threat upon the safety of our students is a very serious matter. We will make every effort to keep our school community informed as more information becomes available.”
The Mooresville Police Department told 24-Hour News 8 bomb sniffing dogs searched several times inside the school overnight Thursday into Friday but turned up nothing.
Police are also reviewing security footage taken from several cameras inside the school.
If a student is responsible, Mooresville's Chief Communications Officer, Susan Haynes, said that student could face expulsion.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Crimes against Children 9-27-12
Trenton, NJ
A Middlesex County man pleaded today to distributing images and videos of child pornography over the Internet, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Jacob Rios, 24, of Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography.
Philadelphia, PA
Ronald Miko, 37, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 38 months in prison for obstruction of a criminal investigation. Miko was a police officer in the city of Reading when he utilized a room in a house at which convicted federal defendants Paul Sewell and Michael Johnson operated a prostitution business that trafficked females who were under the age of 18. Between May 2, 2011 and June 7, 2011, Miko wired money to Johnson’s federal prison account to prevent the communication of information to criminal investigators regarding Miko’s involvement in that business.
Rochester, NY
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Thomas Mehegan, 61, of Elmira, New York, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge David G. Larimer. Each possession of child pornography count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and supervised release for life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that Mehegan was identified during a New York State Police investigation. Troopers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Elmira address and seized several digital computers and hard drives which contained child pornography. Police then contacted the Elmira Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which continued the investigation. During the investigation, law enforcement learned that the defendant had secreted a hidden camera in his home with the intent to surreptitiously record his adult step-daughter breast feeding her infant child. Mehegan was convicted of unlawful surveillance in Chemung County for this conduct in 2010 and was recently released from state prison.
Pocatello, UT
Wayne Allen Ginnis, 29, of Seattle, Washington, and James Russell Ashley, 47, of Augusta, Georgia, were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Pocatello for traveling in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge sentenced Ginnis to 70 months in prison and Ashley to 54 months; both will be required to serve 10 years of supervised release. They pled guilty to a single-count information on June 5, 2012.
According to the plea agreements, the men admitted that they intended to have illicit sexual conduct with two girls they knew were under the age of 18. They also admitted to sending the girls bus tickets to travel from Idaho to Hollywood, California.
Albany, NY
Leonard Gaines, age 56, of Albany, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, in Albany to 108 months of imprisonment for distributing child pornography images, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Clifford C. Holly, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division. Gaines, who had entered a guilty plea on May 16, 2012, was also ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors and to register with the New York State Sex Offender Registry Program.
On December 19, 2011, Gaines, using a file sharing program, distributed approximately 100 still images of child pornography over the Internet. On March 2, 2012, pursuant to a federal search warrant, investigators recovered two computers, each of which contained many child pornography files, from his home.
A Middlesex County man pleaded today to distributing images and videos of child pornography over the Internet, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Jacob Rios, 24, of Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography.
Philadelphia, PA
Ronald Miko, 37, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 38 months in prison for obstruction of a criminal investigation. Miko was a police officer in the city of Reading when he utilized a room in a house at which convicted federal defendants Paul Sewell and Michael Johnson operated a prostitution business that trafficked females who were under the age of 18. Between May 2, 2011 and June 7, 2011, Miko wired money to Johnson’s federal prison account to prevent the communication of information to criminal investigators regarding Miko’s involvement in that business.
Rochester, NY
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Thomas Mehegan, 61, of Elmira, New York, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge David G. Larimer. Each possession of child pornography count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and supervised release for life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that Mehegan was identified during a New York State Police investigation. Troopers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Elmira address and seized several digital computers and hard drives which contained child pornography. Police then contacted the Elmira Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which continued the investigation. During the investigation, law enforcement learned that the defendant had secreted a hidden camera in his home with the intent to surreptitiously record his adult step-daughter breast feeding her infant child. Mehegan was convicted of unlawful surveillance in Chemung County for this conduct in 2010 and was recently released from state prison.
Pocatello, UT
Wayne Allen Ginnis, 29, of Seattle, Washington, and James Russell Ashley, 47, of Augusta, Georgia, were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Pocatello for traveling in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge sentenced Ginnis to 70 months in prison and Ashley to 54 months; both will be required to serve 10 years of supervised release. They pled guilty to a single-count information on June 5, 2012.
According to the plea agreements, the men admitted that they intended to have illicit sexual conduct with two girls they knew were under the age of 18. They also admitted to sending the girls bus tickets to travel from Idaho to Hollywood, California.
Albany, NY
Leonard Gaines, age 56, of Albany, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, in Albany to 108 months of imprisonment for distributing child pornography images, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Clifford C. Holly, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division. Gaines, who had entered a guilty plea on May 16, 2012, was also ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors and to register with the New York State Sex Offender Registry Program.
On December 19, 2011, Gaines, using a file sharing program, distributed approximately 100 still images of child pornography over the Internet. On March 2, 2012, pursuant to a federal search warrant, investigators recovered two computers, each of which contained many child pornography files, from his home.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Man Arrested for Molesting of Boy, 13
Anderson, IN
Anderson Police arrested a man late Monday night after accusations he molested a 13-year-old boy on multiple occasions, 24-Hour News 8’s news partner, The Herald Bulletin , reports.
Jason McCarty, 34, was jailed on three preliminary Class A felony child molestation charges.
Safe Havens, International
Anderson Police arrested a man late Monday night after accusations he molested a 13-year-old boy on multiple occasions, 24-Hour News 8’s news partner, The Herald Bulletin , reports.
Jason McCarty, 34, was jailed on three preliminary Class A felony child molestation charges.
Safe Havens, International
Second Teen Reports Abduction, Assault
Greensburg, IN
Greensburg police are investigating a second reported abduction and sexual assault in as many weeks.
In both cases, the victims say they were forced into a two-door, black Dodge pick-up truck by two white men. They're described as around 50 years old and heavyset.
Police say they're not ready to say the two cases are related; at this point they're investigating them separately.
The latest case involves an 18 year old Decatur County woman, who was waiting for a ride in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Greensburg around 10 Monday night.
Safe Havens, International
Greensburg police are investigating a second reported abduction and sexual assault in as many weeks.
In both cases, the victims say they were forced into a two-door, black Dodge pick-up truck by two white men. They're described as around 50 years old and heavyset.
Police say they're not ready to say the two cases are related; at this point they're investigating them separately.
The latest case involves an 18 year old Decatur County woman, who was waiting for a ride in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Greensburg around 10 Monday night.
Safe Havens, International
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Developing a School Safety Project
The field of school safety consulting can be a dog-eat-dog affair as consultants vie for ever-diminishing dollars. In many regards, this is good, as competition in the free market creates better products and services for the clients. However, choosing the right consultant from the number available can be quite the chore.
The first step is to understand why you need a consultant. A threat assessment is vastly different from a physical assessment, which is vastly different from doing a climate assessment. Be specific. Establish goals for your intended project, and plan out how the thing you want to do will be done. Through this process, you will identify what it is you will need. Typically in school safety, consultants provide assessments, training, a system, or a combination of all three.
You will need to know how much money you will have available for the project. This amount is the ceiling on your project. The bidding process, if done properly, should provide you with a consultant who will bid under that ceiling, leaving you a cushion to cover any unexpected expenses.
You will also need to know the time frame of your project. Will it take days, weeks, months, and how will that time frame fit into your district's budget time frame? Make sure to provide enough time to evaluate your project at the end.
Developing a Project
1. Identify what you need to have done.
a. Assessment?
b. Training?
c. A new system?
d. A combination of all the above?
2. How much money is available for the project?
3. What is the time frame of your project?
Write this up in narrative form, and get it approved by your school district's Business Officer.
In the next installment, the Request for Proposal process will be detailed.
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Our Forum On
The first step is to understand why you need a consultant. A threat assessment is vastly different from a physical assessment, which is vastly different from doing a climate assessment. Be specific. Establish goals for your intended project, and plan out how the thing you want to do will be done. Through this process, you will identify what it is you will need. Typically in school safety, consultants provide assessments, training, a system, or a combination of all three.
You will need to know how much money you will have available for the project. This amount is the ceiling on your project. The bidding process, if done properly, should provide you with a consultant who will bid under that ceiling, leaving you a cushion to cover any unexpected expenses.
You will also need to know the time frame of your project. Will it take days, weeks, months, and how will that time frame fit into your district's budget time frame? Make sure to provide enough time to evaluate your project at the end.
Developing a Project
1. Identify what you need to have done.
a. Assessment?
b. Training?
c. A new system?
d. A combination of all the above?
2. How much money is available for the project?
3. What is the time frame of your project?
Write this up in narrative form, and get it approved by your school district's Business Officer.
In the next installment, the Request for Proposal process will be detailed.
Our Forum On
Monday, September 24, 2012
Crimes against Children 9-24-12
Midwest City, OK
Authorities are holding a Midwest City man on child pornography charges.
Police say they found naked pictures of children on 61-year-old Jack Owens’ computer. According to police, Owens admitted to having hidden cameras installed in his home.
The investigation started when Owens brought his laptop to a repair shop for a virus. A worker found a hidden folder that contained what police described as child porn.
However, investigators believe Owens both downloaded child porn, but was also using hidden cameras to make his own videos.
Tupper Lake, NY
A Tupper Lake man faces up to 10 years in prison for a child pornography conviction.
James L. Tabolt, 39, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in U.S. District Court in Albany on Thursday, according to a press release issued by Richard S. Hartunian, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York.
According to the press release, Tabolt admitted to Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy that between June 2010 and February 2011 he possessed more than 1,300 images of child pornography on a home computer.
The case dates back to December 2010, when a New York State Police investigator assigned to the New York Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force detected images of child pornography on an Internet protocol address in the Tupper Lake area. Investigators then traced the images to a computer in Tabolt's home.
Boston, MA
A Massachusetts pediatrician who was arrested last week on charges of
receiving child pornography was involved for nearly three decades with
Camp Joslin in Charlton, a beloved camp for boys with diabetes, and
served at a summer camp in the Berkshires. Leaders of one camp planned
to publish statements online in an effort to alert parents to the
investigation.
Dr. Richard Keller, 56, former medical director of Phillips Academy in Andover and a Boston Children’s Hospital endocrinologist, was arrested Thursday at his Andover home, where prosecutors said they found at least 60 DVDs and 500 sexually explicit photographs of minors.
Prosecutors say Keller placed orders totaling $2,695 between July 2009 and January 2011 from a foreign production company, including 50 movies, some of which were shipped to him at the Phillips student health center.
DeRidder, LA
State police have arrested a DeRidder school band director in a child pornography investigation.
Troopers say 65-year-old Robert McNamee was arrested last week after an Operation Child Watch investigation into child pornography on his computer. A press release from the state police states that a search of McNamee's computer found images of sexually abused children.
He was arrested and booked with distribution of child pornography and booked into the Beauregard Parish Jail.
At the time of his arrest, McNamee was employed by the Beauregard Parish School District as a junior high school band director.
Pittsburgh, PA
A Moon Township drug suspect has been arrested again, this time as part of an investigation into suspected child abuse and child pornography.
According to the criminal complaint, a computer forensics team at the state attorney general's office found "a large amount of child pornography" on a cellphone memory card after Pamela Smallis was arrested in April.
“It's a very sensitive case, and when you have children involved, you have to protect those children. You want them to grow up and try to get this behind them. So, therefore, you can't mention exactly what occurred and you don't want to mention who they are,” said Moon Township Police Chief Leo McCarthy.
Kalamazoo, MI
A registered sex offender from Kalamazoo is being held on multiple counts of child pornography.
A federal indictment filed last week in Grand Rapids says 33-year-old Eric Walker faces multiple charges, including distribution, possession and transportation of child pornography, and sexual exploitation of a child.
Authorities allege that in February and March of 2009 and in March 2011, Walker used his computer to distribute images of child pornography. Authorities say in April, Walker twice persuaded a 15-year-old girl to send sexually explicit photos of herself to him via text message.
MLive.com (http://bit.ly/V4qE7j) says Walker is listed on Michigan's sex offender registry for an April 7, 1997 conviction of attempted third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Bay City.
Northampton, MA
A Granby man was back in court Monday for allegedly violating the terms of release in his child pornography case.
Eric Lacoste, of 11 Darrell Ave., had been free on personal recognizance in connection with the April case, but yesterday was held on $5,000 bail for allegedly failing to follow the court-ordered conditions of his release, the Daily Hampshire Gazette reports.
Lacoste was charged last spring after a parent contacted authorities about inappropriate Facebook conversations between her 13-year-old daughter and the 30-year-old Granby man. A police investigation resulted in criminal charges against Lacoste, including possession of child porn, soliciting a minor to pose for naked photos and disseminating harmful material to a minor.
Pulaski Co. AR
The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on Tuesday on child pornography charges.
According to a report released by the PCSO, 56-year-old Thurman Baker was arrested and charged with computer exploitation of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia after a concerned mother filed an incident report.
The mother, Baker's neighbor, told a Sheriff's Deputy that she noticed he was sneaking around and watching her 10-year-old daughter, hiding behind trees and approaching when she was outside.
The deputy was unable to contact Baker immediately after taking the report, but returned later with two other deputies and contacted him at his home.
Baker invited them in, and after the deputy informed him that there were reports of his bizarre behavior regarding the young girls in the neighborhood, he spontaneously said, "...everybody is telling me that it is my job to get them ready for sex," according to the report.
Westminster, CA
A 21-year-old man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to peeping and child pornography charges after allegedly secretly videotaping his neighbors, some who were in the nude.
Kyle Charles Scott of Cypress faces one felony count each of possession of child porn, distributing obscene matter to adults and possession of marijuana for sale, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
He’s also charged with one misdemeanor count each of peeping and
disorderly conduct, according to Farrah Emami of the Orange County
District Attorney’s Office.
Asheville, NC
A former Henderson County charter school teacher pleaded guilty in federal court today to child pornography charges.
Deborah Lee Tipton, 44, could face decades in prison when she is sentenced. She remains in custody.
Authorities say Tipton videotaped a 12-year-old girl’s genitalia and shared the video.
The bill of indictment handed up in April charged Tipton with production of child pornography, possession of child pornography and transporting sexually explicit images of a minor over the Internet.
After her arrest in February, she was fired from her job as a special-education teacher at The Mountain Community School. She had worked at the charter school since 2005.
Authorities are holding a Midwest City man on child pornography charges.
Police say they found naked pictures of children on 61-year-old Jack Owens’ computer. According to police, Owens admitted to having hidden cameras installed in his home.
The investigation started when Owens brought his laptop to a repair shop for a virus. A worker found a hidden folder that contained what police described as child porn.
However, investigators believe Owens both downloaded child porn, but was also using hidden cameras to make his own videos.
Tupper Lake, NY
A Tupper Lake man faces up to 10 years in prison for a child pornography conviction.
James L. Tabolt, 39, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in U.S. District Court in Albany on Thursday, according to a press release issued by Richard S. Hartunian, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York.
According to the press release, Tabolt admitted to Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy that between June 2010 and February 2011 he possessed more than 1,300 images of child pornography on a home computer.
The case dates back to December 2010, when a New York State Police investigator assigned to the New York Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force detected images of child pornography on an Internet protocol address in the Tupper Lake area. Investigators then traced the images to a computer in Tabolt's home.
Boston, MA
A Massachusetts pediatrician who was arrested last week on charges of
receiving child pornography was involved for nearly three decades with
Camp Joslin in Charlton, a beloved camp for boys with diabetes, and
served at a summer camp in the Berkshires. Leaders of one camp planned
to publish statements online in an effort to alert parents to the
investigation.Dr. Richard Keller, 56, former medical director of Phillips Academy in Andover and a Boston Children’s Hospital endocrinologist, was arrested Thursday at his Andover home, where prosecutors said they found at least 60 DVDs and 500 sexually explicit photographs of minors.
Prosecutors say Keller placed orders totaling $2,695 between July 2009 and January 2011 from a foreign production company, including 50 movies, some of which were shipped to him at the Phillips student health center.
DeRidder, LA
State police have arrested a DeRidder school band director in a child pornography investigation.
Troopers say 65-year-old Robert McNamee was arrested last week after an Operation Child Watch investigation into child pornography on his computer. A press release from the state police states that a search of McNamee's computer found images of sexually abused children.
He was arrested and booked with distribution of child pornography and booked into the Beauregard Parish Jail.
At the time of his arrest, McNamee was employed by the Beauregard Parish School District as a junior high school band director.
Pittsburgh, PA
A Moon Township drug suspect has been arrested again, this time as part of an investigation into suspected child abuse and child pornography.
According to the criminal complaint, a computer forensics team at the state attorney general's office found "a large amount of child pornography" on a cellphone memory card after Pamela Smallis was arrested in April.
“It's a very sensitive case, and when you have children involved, you have to protect those children. You want them to grow up and try to get this behind them. So, therefore, you can't mention exactly what occurred and you don't want to mention who they are,” said Moon Township Police Chief Leo McCarthy.
Kalamazoo, MI
A registered sex offender from Kalamazoo is being held on multiple counts of child pornography.
A federal indictment filed last week in Grand Rapids says 33-year-old Eric Walker faces multiple charges, including distribution, possession and transportation of child pornography, and sexual exploitation of a child.
Authorities allege that in February and March of 2009 and in March 2011, Walker used his computer to distribute images of child pornography. Authorities say in April, Walker twice persuaded a 15-year-old girl to send sexually explicit photos of herself to him via text message.
MLive.com (http://bit.ly/V4qE7j) says Walker is listed on Michigan's sex offender registry for an April 7, 1997 conviction of attempted third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Bay City.
Northampton, MA
A Granby man was back in court Monday for allegedly violating the terms of release in his child pornography case.
Eric Lacoste, of 11 Darrell Ave., had been free on personal recognizance in connection with the April case, but yesterday was held on $5,000 bail for allegedly failing to follow the court-ordered conditions of his release, the Daily Hampshire Gazette reports.
Lacoste was charged last spring after a parent contacted authorities about inappropriate Facebook conversations between her 13-year-old daughter and the 30-year-old Granby man. A police investigation resulted in criminal charges against Lacoste, including possession of child porn, soliciting a minor to pose for naked photos and disseminating harmful material to a minor.
Pulaski Co. AR
The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on Tuesday on child pornography charges.According to a report released by the PCSO, 56-year-old Thurman Baker was arrested and charged with computer exploitation of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia after a concerned mother filed an incident report.
The mother, Baker's neighbor, told a Sheriff's Deputy that she noticed he was sneaking around and watching her 10-year-old daughter, hiding behind trees and approaching when she was outside.
The deputy was unable to contact Baker immediately after taking the report, but returned later with two other deputies and contacted him at his home.
Baker invited them in, and after the deputy informed him that there were reports of his bizarre behavior regarding the young girls in the neighborhood, he spontaneously said, "...everybody is telling me that it is my job to get them ready for sex," according to the report.
Westminster, CA
A 21-year-old man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to peeping and child pornography charges after allegedly secretly videotaping his neighbors, some who were in the nude.
Kyle Charles Scott of Cypress faces one felony count each of possession of child porn, distributing obscene matter to adults and possession of marijuana for sale, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Asheville, NC
A former Henderson County charter school teacher pleaded guilty in federal court today to child pornography charges.
Deborah Lee Tipton, 44, could face decades in prison when she is sentenced. She remains in custody.
Authorities say Tipton videotaped a 12-year-old girl’s genitalia and shared the video.
The bill of indictment handed up in April charged Tipton with production of child pornography, possession of child pornography and transporting sexually explicit images of a minor over the Internet.
After her arrest in February, she was fired from her job as a special-education teacher at The Mountain Community School. She had worked at the charter school since 2005.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Cheerleading Coach Trial Continued
Shelbyville, IN
The trial date for a former cheerleading coach arrested for seducing a 17-year-old male athlete has been moved back a few weeks.
Megan Crafton was 22-year-old when she was the part-time assistant cheerleading coach at Shelbyille High School. The incident occurred in January and Crafton turned herself in to police in June.
Crafton's trial, which was originally set for Monday, will now take place on October 15 in Shelby Superior Court II, our partners at the Shelbyville News report.
Safe Havens, Intl
The trial date for a former cheerleading coach arrested for seducing a 17-year-old male athlete has been moved back a few weeks.
Megan Crafton was 22-year-old when she was the part-time assistant cheerleading coach at Shelbyille High School. The incident occurred in January and Crafton turned herself in to police in June.
Crafton's trial, which was originally set for Monday, will now take place on October 15 in Shelby Superior Court II, our partners at the Shelbyville News report.
Safe Havens, Intl
Saturday, September 22, 2012
25 Students Injured in Tennessee School Bus Wreck
Johnson City, TN
A school spokeswoman says more than 25 students have been taken to hospitals in upper East Tennessee after a school bus carrying high schoolers flipped over.
Washington County schools spokeswoman Susan Kiernan says parents may have taken other students as well. She said all but five or six are expected to be released Thursday night.
One girl underwent surgery for head and neck injuries and was in critical condition. The driver was taken by ambulance with chest pain but Kiernan didn't know whether she would be admitted.
Kiernan says 63 students from David Crockett High School were on the bus Thursday afternoon.
Tennessee Highway Patrol spokeswoman Dalya Qualls says the crash happened when the wheels dropped off the side of the road and the driver overcorrected, about eight miles southwest of Jonesborough.
Safe Havens, Intl
A school spokeswoman says more than 25 students have been taken to hospitals in upper East Tennessee after a school bus carrying high schoolers flipped over.
Washington County schools spokeswoman Susan Kiernan says parents may have taken other students as well. She said all but five or six are expected to be released Thursday night.
One girl underwent surgery for head and neck injuries and was in critical condition. The driver was taken by ambulance with chest pain but Kiernan didn't know whether she would be admitted.
Kiernan says 63 students from David Crockett High School were on the bus Thursday afternoon.
Tennessee Highway Patrol spokeswoman Dalya Qualls says the crash happened when the wheels dropped off the side of the road and the driver overcorrected, about eight miles southwest of Jonesborough.
Safe Havens, Intl
Police Arrest SW Idaho Student Accused of Threatening Violence at School with 'Hit List'
Homedale, ID
A southwestern Idaho student is being held at a juvenile detention center in Canyon County after police say he created a "hit list" with the names of 15 people, threatening violence on school property.
Homedale Police Chief Jeff Eidemiller told the Idaho Press-Tribune (http://bit.ly/SFu50D ) the high school student arrested Wednesday is being held on at least 15 charges stemming from his alleged threats.
The student, who hasn't been identified by authorities, was suspended from Homedale High School last week. Police say they obtained information indicating the student possibly had some intention of carrying out his alleged threats.
Safe Havens, Intl
A southwestern Idaho student is being held at a juvenile detention center in Canyon County after police say he created a "hit list" with the names of 15 people, threatening violence on school property.
Homedale Police Chief Jeff Eidemiller told the Idaho Press-Tribune (http://bit.ly/SFu50D ) the high school student arrested Wednesday is being held on at least 15 charges stemming from his alleged threats.
The student, who hasn't been identified by authorities, was suspended from Homedale High School last week. Police say they obtained information indicating the student possibly had some intention of carrying out his alleged threats.
Safe Havens, Intl
Threats of Gun Violence Force Closure of Skyline High School
Sammamish, WA
Threats of violence against students prompted Skyline High School officials to cancel school on Thursday.
In a notification released late Wednesday night, school officials said they were dealing with an "emergency situation" and asked students, staff and community members to stay away from the school on Thursday.
The King County sheriff's office is investigating an online post claiming to be from a Skyline student. In the post, which included a photo of a gun, the student says he's going to take his father's gun to school and "open fire on the people in the commons in the morning until I am either taken down by our school's police officer, or until I run out of mags."
The post was circulated around social media sites on Wednesday and was reported to police.
Deputies so far don't know who wrote the post or if it's a legitimate threat, according to King County sheriff's Sgt. Cindi West.
Safe Havens, Intl
Threats of violence against students prompted Skyline High School officials to cancel school on Thursday.
In a notification released late Wednesday night, school officials said they were dealing with an "emergency situation" and asked students, staff and community members to stay away from the school on Thursday.
The King County sheriff's office is investigating an online post claiming to be from a Skyline student. In the post, which included a photo of a gun, the student says he's going to take his father's gun to school and "open fire on the people in the commons in the morning until I am either taken down by our school's police officer, or until I run out of mags."
The post was circulated around social media sites on Wednesday and was reported to police.
Deputies so far don't know who wrote the post or if it's a legitimate threat, according to King County sheriff's Sgt. Cindi West.
Safe Havens, Intl
Fight at an Oakland High School causes Police to Shut Down Street
Oakland, CA
A huge fight erupted at Castlemont High School Friday, the biggest such incident at a public school citywide in at least two years.
School district spokesman Troy Flint said Oakland School Police officers reported that about 50 students appeared to have been involved in the fight. It began in an outdoor common space behind the school auditorium at about 1:15 p.m., and was followed by several side-scuffles, he said.
Flint said the officers believed a conflict between groups of black and Latino students might have triggered or fueled the violence. "It definitely had some sort of racial element," he said.
The East Oakland school's ethnic makeup is predominately black and Latino; in 2011-12, about 48 percent of students were Latino and 44 percent were African-American. Castlemont, which for years had consisted of three small schools, merged this year into one school with roughly 700 students.
To contain the violence and chaos, Oakland police officers shut down the stretch of MacArthur Boulevard in front of the school. They reopened the street at 1:40 p.m., after about 20 minutes.
A huge fight erupted at Castlemont High School Friday, the biggest such incident at a public school citywide in at least two years.
School district spokesman Troy Flint said Oakland School Police officers reported that about 50 students appeared to have been involved in the fight. It began in an outdoor common space behind the school auditorium at about 1:15 p.m., and was followed by several side-scuffles, he said.
Flint said the officers believed a conflict between groups of black and Latino students might have triggered or fueled the violence. "It definitely had some sort of racial element," he said.
The East Oakland school's ethnic makeup is predominately black and Latino; in 2011-12, about 48 percent of students were Latino and 44 percent were African-American. Castlemont, which for years had consisted of three small schools, merged this year into one school with roughly 700 students.
To contain the violence and chaos, Oakland police officers shut down the stretch of MacArthur Boulevard in front of the school. They reopened the street at 1:40 p.m., after about 20 minutes.
Police Handcuffed Autistic Boy on Maryland School Bus
Laurel, MD
School officials are investigating after an 11-year-old autistic boy was handcuffed by police officers on a Maryland school bus.
The Baltimore Sun reports the boy allegedly bit several people Wednesday afternoon. He was being driven home from Baltimore's Kennedy Krieger Institute, which educates students with severe learning disabilities.
Howard County police say the boy's bus driver and an aide called 911 and said they and two students had been bitten. They told police the boy had become aggressive after escaping from his seat harness. No one was treated for injuries and no one was arrested.
School officials are investigating after an 11-year-old autistic boy was handcuffed by police officers on a Maryland school bus.
The Baltimore Sun reports the boy allegedly bit several people Wednesday afternoon. He was being driven home from Baltimore's Kennedy Krieger Institute, which educates students with severe learning disabilities.
Howard County police say the boy's bus driver and an aide called 911 and said they and two students had been bitten. They told police the boy had become aggressive after escaping from his seat harness. No one was treated for injuries and no one was arrested.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Girl Attacked at Elementary School
Indianapolis, IN
Three boys are accused of attacking a 12-year-old girl at Francis Scott Key Elementary School.
According to the police report, the attack happened inside the girls’ restroom. The IPS student told police the boys pushed her down and ripped off her shirt and pants.
IPS police are investigating the case the six boys have been suspended from school as the investigation gets underway.
A district spokesman tells 24-Hour News 8 the boys were interviewed by police with their parents present. Findings in the investigation will be sent to prosecutors to make a final decision.
Three boys are accused of attacking a 12-year-old girl at Francis Scott Key Elementary School.
According to the police report, the attack happened inside the girls’ restroom. The IPS student told police the boys pushed her down and ripped off her shirt and pants.
IPS police are investigating the case the six boys have been suspended from school as the investigation gets underway.
A district spokesman tells 24-Hour News 8 the boys were interviewed by police with their parents present. Findings in the investigation will be sent to prosecutors to make a final decision.
Crimes against Children 9-21-12
Lancaster, NY
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Joseph Marranca, Jr., 67 of Lancaster, New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, to attempted receipt of child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who is handling the case, stated the defendant posted an ad on Craigslist.com that read, in part, “looking for a teenager.” Marranca engaged in chat conversations online and began talking with a person who indicated that she was a 14-year-old girl.
During those chats, the defendant asked the 14-year-old for pictures and made arrangements to meet her at a park. The individual that Marranca was actually chatting with was an undercover police officer. The defendant was arrested after he drove to the park to meet the officer. As part of the plea, Marranca agreed to the forfeiture of his 2005 Acura, his computer, and his cell phone.
Toledo, OH
An indictment was filed charging Duane Hill with sex trafficking of children and obstructing the investigation of child sex trafficking, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Count one charges that on or about August 8, 2012, Hill recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, and provided by any means, in and affecting interstate commerce, “A.W.,” knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that A.W. had not attained the age of 18 years and that A.W. would engage in a commercial sex act.
Count two charges that on or about September 6, 2012, Hill provided false and misleading information to investigators assigned to the Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force who were investigating the offense charged in count one.
Boston, MA
A Whitinsville lawyer, who is also a Boy Scout leader and part-time middle school teacher, was indicted today in federal court and charged with using the Internet to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and possessing child pornography.
Andrew Jonathan Myers, 34, originally charged via complaint last month, was indicted today with four counts of using the Internet to entice, persuade, or induce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and one count of possessing child pornography.
The indictment alleges that between May 7 and 9, 2012, and on June 28, 2012, Myers sent graphic e-mails to three minors upon whom Myers proposed to perform sexual acts. The minors were known to Myers through his work as a teacher or Boy Scout leader.
Myers’ actions were discovered when the mother of a 12-year-old boy in Colorado presented the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with copies of e-mails and chats between an unknown 33-year-old man and her 12-year-old son. Through investigation, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office traced the origin of the e-mails and chats to Myers. Myers also is charged in the indictment with enticing the 12-year-old Colorado boy.
Myers is further charged with possessing child pornography on a laptop computer which was seized from his home on August 21, 2012, pursuant to a federal search warrant.
New Orleans, LA
Benson December Coriolant, 30, of Orlando, Florida, was convicted today by a federal jury of all four counts of which he was charged, announced United States Attorney Jim Letten. He was charged with and convicted of sex trafficking of a child, conspiring with others to sex traffic a child, coercing and enticing an individual to engage in prostitution, and coercing and enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
According to evidence introduced at trial, in late 2008, Coriolant met R.V., a 14-year-old female. Shortly thereafter, he began a sexual relationship with her. After convincing the minor that their relationship was one of boyfriend/girlfriend, Coriolant recruited R.V. to begin working for him as a prostitute in the Orlando area. Coriolant posted advertisements on multiple city-specific Internet classified ad websites offering prostitution services of the minor. Over the course of the next year, Coriolant forced R.V. to engage in dozens of sexual acts in exchange for money throughout the entire state of Florida. Coriolant forced R.V. to turn over the money she earned from prostitution either to him or one of his associates. Coriolant also provided R.V. with alcohol and illicit and mood-altering drugs as a way of numbing her senses and controlling her behavior.
In March 2010, Coriolant drove R.V., who was then 15 year old, to Kenner, Louisiana, to work as a prostitute. Coriolant used the New Orleans version of the online classified advertisement website to solicit individuals interested in paying for sex with the minor. Coriolant required R.V. to put the money she made from —thousands of dollars—into a bank account for his benefit. He further forced her to account for all of her expenses, including personal expenses such as food, in a journal, daily letters, and text messages to him.
On April 24, 2010, R.V. was discovered by law enforcement authorities and, ultimately, sent back to Orlando with relatives. Once back in Orlando, Coriolant instructed R.V. to continue engaging in prostitution but to have sex only with regular, familiar clients because of concerns with law enforcement finding her.
In May 2010, Coriolant sent the minor back to New Orleans a second time to work as a prostitute. Coriolant again advertised sex with the minor on the online classified advertisement website. R.V. was arrested several days later.
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Joseph Marranca, Jr., 67 of Lancaster, New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, to attempted receipt of child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who is handling the case, stated the defendant posted an ad on Craigslist.com that read, in part, “looking for a teenager.” Marranca engaged in chat conversations online and began talking with a person who indicated that she was a 14-year-old girl.
During those chats, the defendant asked the 14-year-old for pictures and made arrangements to meet her at a park. The individual that Marranca was actually chatting with was an undercover police officer. The defendant was arrested after he drove to the park to meet the officer. As part of the plea, Marranca agreed to the forfeiture of his 2005 Acura, his computer, and his cell phone.
Toledo, OH
An indictment was filed charging Duane Hill with sex trafficking of children and obstructing the investigation of child sex trafficking, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Count one charges that on or about August 8, 2012, Hill recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, and provided by any means, in and affecting interstate commerce, “A.W.,” knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that A.W. had not attained the age of 18 years and that A.W. would engage in a commercial sex act.
Count two charges that on or about September 6, 2012, Hill provided false and misleading information to investigators assigned to the Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force who were investigating the offense charged in count one.
Boston, MA
A Whitinsville lawyer, who is also a Boy Scout leader and part-time middle school teacher, was indicted today in federal court and charged with using the Internet to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and possessing child pornography.
Andrew Jonathan Myers, 34, originally charged via complaint last month, was indicted today with four counts of using the Internet to entice, persuade, or induce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and one count of possessing child pornography.
The indictment alleges that between May 7 and 9, 2012, and on June 28, 2012, Myers sent graphic e-mails to three minors upon whom Myers proposed to perform sexual acts. The minors were known to Myers through his work as a teacher or Boy Scout leader.
Myers’ actions were discovered when the mother of a 12-year-old boy in Colorado presented the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with copies of e-mails and chats between an unknown 33-year-old man and her 12-year-old son. Through investigation, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office traced the origin of the e-mails and chats to Myers. Myers also is charged in the indictment with enticing the 12-year-old Colorado boy.
Myers is further charged with possessing child pornography on a laptop computer which was seized from his home on August 21, 2012, pursuant to a federal search warrant.
New Orleans, LA
Benson December Coriolant, 30, of Orlando, Florida, was convicted today by a federal jury of all four counts of which he was charged, announced United States Attorney Jim Letten. He was charged with and convicted of sex trafficking of a child, conspiring with others to sex traffic a child, coercing and enticing an individual to engage in prostitution, and coercing and enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
According to evidence introduced at trial, in late 2008, Coriolant met R.V., a 14-year-old female. Shortly thereafter, he began a sexual relationship with her. After convincing the minor that their relationship was one of boyfriend/girlfriend, Coriolant recruited R.V. to begin working for him as a prostitute in the Orlando area. Coriolant posted advertisements on multiple city-specific Internet classified ad websites offering prostitution services of the minor. Over the course of the next year, Coriolant forced R.V. to engage in dozens of sexual acts in exchange for money throughout the entire state of Florida. Coriolant forced R.V. to turn over the money she earned from prostitution either to him or one of his associates. Coriolant also provided R.V. with alcohol and illicit and mood-altering drugs as a way of numbing her senses and controlling her behavior.
In March 2010, Coriolant drove R.V., who was then 15 year old, to Kenner, Louisiana, to work as a prostitute. Coriolant used the New Orleans version of the online classified advertisement website to solicit individuals interested in paying for sex with the minor. Coriolant required R.V. to put the money she made from —thousands of dollars—into a bank account for his benefit. He further forced her to account for all of her expenses, including personal expenses such as food, in a journal, daily letters, and text messages to him.
On April 24, 2010, R.V. was discovered by law enforcement authorities and, ultimately, sent back to Orlando with relatives. Once back in Orlando, Coriolant instructed R.V. to continue engaging in prostitution but to have sex only with regular, familiar clients because of concerns with law enforcement finding her.
In May 2010, Coriolant sent the minor back to New Orleans a second time to work as a prostitute. Coriolant again advertised sex with the minor on the online classified advertisement website. R.V. was arrested several days later.
Hancock County Man Charged with Distribution of Child Pornography
New Palestine, IN
Joseph H. Hogsett, the United States Attorney, announced today that Justin Cole, age 23, of New Palestine, has been charged by criminal complaint with distributing child pornography as part of the U.S. Attorney’s ongoing Project Safe Childhood initiative.
“The mission of our Project Safe Childhood initiative is to investigate and prosecute anyone found to engaged in the sexual exploitation of children,” Hogsett said. “Today’s announcement underscores this serious commitment and should make clear that if you engage in such behavior, you will be found and brought to justice.”
According to the criminal complaint, federal and state law enforcement in Indiana first became involved in this case in July 2012 after an individual in Texas was charged with trading images of child pornography online. An extensive search for other individuals involved in those alleged criminal acts led law enforcement to an e-mail address that was traced to Cole’s residence in New Palestine.
Based on that information, a search warrant was obtained on September 13, 2012, and was subsequently executed by law enforcement officers from the Indiana State Police and the FBI Cyber Crime Task Force. A forensic review allegedly revealed thousands of images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct that were stored on a laptop computer, as well as hundreds of videos. The complaint also alleges that materials were located on a desktop computer in the home.
This case was brought as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov
Joseph H. Hogsett, the United States Attorney, announced today that Justin Cole, age 23, of New Palestine, has been charged by criminal complaint with distributing child pornography as part of the U.S. Attorney’s ongoing Project Safe Childhood initiative.
“The mission of our Project Safe Childhood initiative is to investigate and prosecute anyone found to engaged in the sexual exploitation of children,” Hogsett said. “Today’s announcement underscores this serious commitment and should make clear that if you engage in such behavior, you will be found and brought to justice.”
According to the criminal complaint, federal and state law enforcement in Indiana first became involved in this case in July 2012 after an individual in Texas was charged with trading images of child pornography online. An extensive search for other individuals involved in those alleged criminal acts led law enforcement to an e-mail address that was traced to Cole’s residence in New Palestine.
Based on that information, a search warrant was obtained on September 13, 2012, and was subsequently executed by law enforcement officers from the Indiana State Police and the FBI Cyber Crime Task Force. A forensic review allegedly revealed thousands of images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct that were stored on a laptop computer, as well as hundreds of videos. The complaint also alleges that materials were located on a desktop computer in the home.
This case was brought as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov
How They Did It: Crips Lured High School Girls Into Prostitution
Fairfax, VA
The story of how a violent street gang lured vulnerable Fairfax-area girls into prostitution is a chilling one for any parent, and is another reason why parents need to keep a close eye on their kids’ involvement with social networking websites. During a three-year period ending in March 2012, members of a violent Virginia street gang used some of these websites to recruit vulnerable high-school age girls to work in their prostitution business.
The story has been reported locally in bits and pieces as it
progressed, and now a recap is being distributed nationwide by the FBI,
using the Fairfax episode as a cautionary tale for parents and law
enforcement authorities.
After a multi-agency state and federal investigation, all five defendants pleaded guilty to various federal charges related to the sex trafficking conspiracy. The leader of the gang—27-year-old Justin Strom—was sentenced on September 14 to 40 years in prison, while the sentences handed down for the other four defendants totaled 53 years.
Strom headed up the Underground Gangster Crips (UGC), a Crips “set” based in Fairfax, Virginia. The Crips originated in Los Angeles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and since then, the gang has splintered into various groups around the country. Law enforcement has seen a number of Crips sets in the U.S. engaging in sex trafficking as a means of making money.
The story of how a violent street gang lured vulnerable Fairfax-area girls into prostitution is a chilling one for any parent, and is another reason why parents need to keep a close eye on their kids’ involvement with social networking websites. During a three-year period ending in March 2012, members of a violent Virginia street gang used some of these websites to recruit vulnerable high-school age girls to work in their prostitution business.
The story has been reported locally in bits and pieces as it
progressed, and now a recap is being distributed nationwide by the FBI,
using the Fairfax episode as a cautionary tale for parents and law
enforcement authorities.After a multi-agency state and federal investigation, all five defendants pleaded guilty to various federal charges related to the sex trafficking conspiracy. The leader of the gang—27-year-old Justin Strom—was sentenced on September 14 to 40 years in prison, while the sentences handed down for the other four defendants totaled 53 years.
Strom headed up the Underground Gangster Crips (UGC), a Crips “set” based in Fairfax, Virginia. The Crips originated in Los Angeles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and since then, the gang has splintered into various groups around the country. Law enforcement has seen a number of Crips sets in the U.S. engaging in sex trafficking as a means of making money.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Florida Boy, 11, Steers School Bus to Safety after Driver has a Heart Attack
Naples, FL
A heroic Florida sixth grader stopped his school bus from plowing into a palm tree Tuesday after the driver had a heart attack and passed out, authorities said.
Jackson Bonar,
of Naples, was just two blocks from his home at around 6 p.m. Tuesday
when the driver, Robert Kelly, slumped over, the boy told the Naples Daily News.
The boy was just a few feet from hitting a palm tree when Bonar jumped up, took the wheel and steered it out of trouble.
The bus eventually came to rest against a chain link fence.
A teacher from the boy's school, Oakridge Middle School, happened to drive by and helped the kids off the bus.
A heroic Florida sixth grader stopped his school bus from plowing into a palm tree Tuesday after the driver had a heart attack and passed out, authorities said.
Jackson Bonar,
of Naples, was just two blocks from his home at around 6 p.m. Tuesday
when the driver, Robert Kelly, slumped over, the boy told the Naples Daily News.The boy was just a few feet from hitting a palm tree when Bonar jumped up, took the wheel and steered it out of trouble.
The bus eventually came to rest against a chain link fence.
A teacher from the boy's school, Oakridge Middle School, happened to drive by and helped the kids off the bus.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Crimes against Children 9-19-12
Springfield, IL
William A. Martin, 29, of Collinsville, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court on September 17, 2012, to 120 months in prison (the maximum statutory sentence for the offense) on a one-count indictment charging him with possession of child pornography, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Martin was also ordered to serve a 30-year term of supervised release, fined $1,000, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Martin previously pled guilty to the one-count indictment on March 27, 2012.
Evidence showed that agents executed a federal search warrant at Martin’s residence based upon an investigation which revealed that Martin was able to download videos and images of child pornography from a computer located at his residence. Agents seized two computers from Martin’s bedroom, which, when forensically examined, were found to contain images and/or videos of child pornography. Martin admitted receiving child pornography through a file-sharing program and admitted possessing both computers, knowing that each contained child pornography.
Jacksonville, FL
United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. sentenced Robert Allen Brammer (24, High Springs) yesterday to 72 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography over the Internet.
Brammer was also sentenced to a term of 10 years’ supervised release upon completion of his prison term, and was required by the court to register as a sex offender and forfeit his computer media.
According to court documents, a detective working with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began an undercover operation to identify persons using a particular file-sharing program on the Internet to obtain and share child pornography. The detective determined that other law enforcement officers had identified a computer using a particular Internet protocol (IP) address in Florida that was observed offering images of child pornography for distribution. Subsequent investigation revealed that, during the time frame that this IP address was seen offering images of child pornography for distribution, the subscriber for this Internet service account was an individual located at the residence of Robert Allen Brammer in High Springs.
On September 3, 2010, a federal search warrant was executed at Brammer’s residence. During the search, officers seized, among other things, a laptop computer and a desktop tower computer. During an interview, Brammer stated, among other things, that he began searching for and downloading child pornography approximately three-and-a-half years ago, and that he used file-sharing programs to search for and download child pornography from the Internet. A subsequent forensic analysis of Brammer’s computer media revealed at least 28 images and 15 videos of child pornography.
St. Louis, MO
Reginald Williams was arrested by FBI and St. Louis County officers Friday afternoon on a charge of interstate transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in prostitution. He appeared today in federal court for his preliminary and detention hearings.
According to the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, on September 12, 2012, Collinsville, Illinois police received a report regarding a missing 16-year-old girl who was being forced to work as a prostitute by one or several adult males. The person reporting the information was familiar with online postings on the website Saint Louis backpages.com in which photographs of the girl were used to offer her services for commercial sex. The telephone number associated with the advertisement was recognized to be used by “Reggie,” who was later identified as Reginald Williams. Detectives reviewed the advertisement, which contained sexually suggestive language and listed the poster’s age to be 20 years old. However, Illinois police were able to confirm that she was born in 1996.
Investigators also learned that a second minor female was believed to be in the 16-year-old’s company at a hotel in St. Louis County. Detectives from Illinois then contacted the St. Louis FBI and the St. Louis County Police Department.
Liberty, TX
Jurors on Thursday sentenced a man convicted of taking part in the repeated sexual assault of a middle school student to 99 years in prison.
Eric McGowen wasn't in court when jurors found him guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child or later when they returned with the sentence. The 20-year-old had been free on bail and he skipped out during a break in proceedings Wednesday, the first day of testimony.
The judge issued an arrest warrant for McGowen Wednesday and allowed testimony to resume Thursday. Jurors returned with the guilty verdict after deliberating for about 20 minutes. Then, after brief court proceedings on his punishment, they decided his sentence in less than 30 minutes.
Prosecutors say the girl, who was 11 years old at the time, was sexually assaulted on at least five occasions from mid-September through early December of 2010 by 20 men and boys from her town, Cleveland, which is about 45 miles northeast of Houston.
Police began investigating after one of the girl's classmates told a teacher he saw video of her being sexually assaulted in an abandoned trailer.
McGowen was in court Wednesday when the girl, now 13, spoke about her ordeal. Testifying using a pseudonym, she told jurors about an encounter in October 2010 and one the following month in which she said McGowen and several other men and boys took turns sexually assaulting her while recording the encounters on video.
William A. Martin, 29, of Collinsville, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court on September 17, 2012, to 120 months in prison (the maximum statutory sentence for the offense) on a one-count indictment charging him with possession of child pornography, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Martin was also ordered to serve a 30-year term of supervised release, fined $1,000, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Martin previously pled guilty to the one-count indictment on March 27, 2012.
Evidence showed that agents executed a federal search warrant at Martin’s residence based upon an investigation which revealed that Martin was able to download videos and images of child pornography from a computer located at his residence. Agents seized two computers from Martin’s bedroom, which, when forensically examined, were found to contain images and/or videos of child pornography. Martin admitted receiving child pornography through a file-sharing program and admitted possessing both computers, knowing that each contained child pornography.
Jacksonville, FL
United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. sentenced Robert Allen Brammer (24, High Springs) yesterday to 72 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography over the Internet.
Brammer was also sentenced to a term of 10 years’ supervised release upon completion of his prison term, and was required by the court to register as a sex offender and forfeit his computer media.
According to court documents, a detective working with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began an undercover operation to identify persons using a particular file-sharing program on the Internet to obtain and share child pornography. The detective determined that other law enforcement officers had identified a computer using a particular Internet protocol (IP) address in Florida that was observed offering images of child pornography for distribution. Subsequent investigation revealed that, during the time frame that this IP address was seen offering images of child pornography for distribution, the subscriber for this Internet service account was an individual located at the residence of Robert Allen Brammer in High Springs.
On September 3, 2010, a federal search warrant was executed at Brammer’s residence. During the search, officers seized, among other things, a laptop computer and a desktop tower computer. During an interview, Brammer stated, among other things, that he began searching for and downloading child pornography approximately three-and-a-half years ago, and that he used file-sharing programs to search for and download child pornography from the Internet. A subsequent forensic analysis of Brammer’s computer media revealed at least 28 images and 15 videos of child pornography.
St. Louis, MO
Reginald Williams was arrested by FBI and St. Louis County officers Friday afternoon on a charge of interstate transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in prostitution. He appeared today in federal court for his preliminary and detention hearings.
According to the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, on September 12, 2012, Collinsville, Illinois police received a report regarding a missing 16-year-old girl who was being forced to work as a prostitute by one or several adult males. The person reporting the information was familiar with online postings on the website Saint Louis backpages.com in which photographs of the girl were used to offer her services for commercial sex. The telephone number associated with the advertisement was recognized to be used by “Reggie,” who was later identified as Reginald Williams. Detectives reviewed the advertisement, which contained sexually suggestive language and listed the poster’s age to be 20 years old. However, Illinois police were able to confirm that she was born in 1996.
Investigators also learned that a second minor female was believed to be in the 16-year-old’s company at a hotel in St. Louis County. Detectives from Illinois then contacted the St. Louis FBI and the St. Louis County Police Department.
Liberty, TX
Jurors on Thursday sentenced a man convicted of taking part in the repeated sexual assault of a middle school student to 99 years in prison.
Eric McGowen wasn't in court when jurors found him guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child or later when they returned with the sentence. The 20-year-old had been free on bail and he skipped out during a break in proceedings Wednesday, the first day of testimony.
The judge issued an arrest warrant for McGowen Wednesday and allowed testimony to resume Thursday. Jurors returned with the guilty verdict after deliberating for about 20 minutes. Then, after brief court proceedings on his punishment, they decided his sentence in less than 30 minutes.
Prosecutors say the girl, who was 11 years old at the time, was sexually assaulted on at least five occasions from mid-September through early December of 2010 by 20 men and boys from her town, Cleveland, which is about 45 miles northeast of Houston.
Police began investigating after one of the girl's classmates told a teacher he saw video of her being sexually assaulted in an abandoned trailer.
McGowen was in court Wednesday when the girl, now 13, spoke about her ordeal. Testifying using a pseudonym, she told jurors about an encounter in October 2010 and one the following month in which she said McGowen and several other men and boys took turns sexually assaulting her while recording the encounters on video.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Decatur Township Schools on Lockdown after Threat
Indianapolis, IN
Decatur Township Schools are on lockdown after a possible threat.
School officials ordered the Code Yellow Lockdown after a "possible threat from outside to one of the students at one of the schools."
The lockdown started at 1:20 p.m. at all Decatur Township schools.
School officials couldn't say how long the lockdown would last.
Decatur Township Schools are on lockdown after a possible threat.
School officials ordered the Code Yellow Lockdown after a "possible threat from outside to one of the students at one of the schools."
The lockdown started at 1:20 p.m. at all Decatur Township schools.
School officials couldn't say how long the lockdown would last.
Brownsburg HS Followup
Brownsburg, IN
An incident with a student that prompted a police presence and lockdown at Brownsburg High School Monday morning involved a student who punched himself in the eye, school officials said Monday afternoon.
Officers were initially called to the school to investigate a possible stabbing, but the student later told officials he scraped off scabs from initial cuts caused by a dog. He also said he struck himself in the face to injure his eye.
Police say the student entered a school bathroom at 8:45 a.m. At 8:50 a.m., the student exited the bathroom and fell to the floor. The student was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital for a swollen left eye, four cuts on the face, and one cut on the lower back.
An incident with a student that prompted a police presence and lockdown at Brownsburg High School Monday morning involved a student who punched himself in the eye, school officials said Monday afternoon.
Officers were initially called to the school to investigate a possible stabbing, but the student later told officials he scraped off scabs from initial cuts caused by a dog. He also said he struck himself in the face to injure his eye.
Police say the student entered a school bathroom at 8:45 a.m. At 8:50 a.m., the student exited the bathroom and fell to the floor. The student was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital for a swollen left eye, four cuts on the face, and one cut on the lower back.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Crimes against Children 9-17-12
Indianapolis, IN
United States Attorney Joseph Hogsett today announced formal charges against a New Albany man for distribution and possession of child pornography. Patrick Logan Durrett, 24, was charged in an information filed in federal court.
As alleged by the government, in February, 2012, Durrett was making child pornography available for other users to download via the Internet using a peer-to-peer (P2P) networking file-sharing program. Undercover FBI agents made contact with Durrett, and the undercover agents were able to download at least 46 computer files depicting children engaged in sexually explicit activity from Durrett. The files distributed to the undercover agents included videos and images of explicit sexual abuse of children as young as four months old. Several of the images and videos depicted the sexual abuse of infant girls, including one image depicting bondage of a baby girl.
Albuquerque, NM
Yesterday, the FBI arrested Johncarlos Ortiz, 39, on a criminal complaint alleging child pornography charges, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales. Ortiz, a resident but not a member of Pojoaque Pueblo, New Mexico, made his initial appearance in federal court in Albuquerque this morning. During today’s proceedings, Ortiz entered a not guilty plea and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He was ordered detained pending trial.
The complaint alleges that Ortiz possessed and distributed child pornography on Sept. 11, 2012, at his residence in Pojoaque Pueblo. According to the complaint, the investigation of the case was initiated in July 2012, after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received information that images consistent with child pornography had been posted on a social networking site. The NCMEC sent the tip to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office (NMAGO). In early August 2012, after determining that the images were posted using an e-mail account subscribed to Ortiz, the NMAGO and the New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force contacted the FBI. The complaint alleges that, on September 11, 2012, the FBI executed a federal search warrant at Ortiz’s residence and seized a computer and a computer flash drive that allegedly contain images consistent with child pornography.
Alexandria, VA
Justin Strom, aka “Jae,” “Jae Dee,” or “J-Dirt,” 27, of Lorton, Virginia, was sentenced today to serve 40 years in prison for leading a gang-controlled prostitution business that recruited and trafficked high school girls over a five- to six-year period. One of Strom’s associates, Henock Ghile, 23, of Springfield, Virginia, also was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for serving as a driver in the sex trafficking enterprise. In total, five gang members or associates have been convicted of sex trafficking juveniles in connection with this case.
Washington, DC
Lonnie Newhouse, 47, of Beckley, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 16 years and eight months in prison on a charge of distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr.; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Newhouse pled guilty to the charge in May 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Beryl A. Howell. Upon completion of his prison term, Newhouse will be placed on 10 years of supervised release. He also will be required at that time to register as a sex offender for 25 years.
According to a factual proffer of evidence presented during the plea hearing, on September 6, 2011, an MPD member of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, who was operating undercover and posing as a pedophile as part of the investigation, communicated with Newhouse by instant messenger and telephone. During the course of the communications over the next several weeks, Newhouse sent the undercover officer 11 images and one video of child pornography. Newhouse was arrested on October 13, 2011.
Atlanta, GA
Two men appeared in federal court today in two recently indicted sex trafficking cases in which five men are charged with pimping three 14-year-old and one 16-year-old girls in Atlanta hotels. Two federal indictments, both returned on August 28, 2012, charge members of a gang that called itself Da M.O.B., with raping the girls and forcing them to perform commercial sex acts—in one case, allegedly beating the girl on a daily basis. The two cases are separated based on different victims and different members of the gang who are alleged to have participated in the sex trafficking offenses.
Fabian Terran Murray, also known as “Shooter,” age 25, of Smyrna, Georgia, is charged in both indictments. The first indictment also charges Joshua Thomas Hill, also known as “Cash,” age 24, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Clinton Saintvil, 24, of Miami, Florida, while the second indictment also charges Richard Douglas King, also known as “Ready,” age 25, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Jonathan Christopher Branch, 21, of Atlanta, Georgia. The two indictments charge the defendants with conspiring to engage in sex trafficking of minors and sex trafficking of minors. Murray and King also are charged with using a firearm during the commission of sex trafficking of a minor, and Hill is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Minneapolis, MN
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule man charged with sexual abuse of a minor was sentenced on September 11, 2012, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange. Sean Johnson, age 22, was sentenced to 15 months in custody, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Johnson was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2012 on three counts of sexual abuse of a minor. He pled guilty to one count in June 2012.
The conviction stems from the time frame of December 2011 to February 2012, when Johnson and the minor victim met and began communicating via text messages. In February 2012, Johnson admitted to having sex with the minor victim three separate times.
United States Attorney Joseph Hogsett today announced formal charges against a New Albany man for distribution and possession of child pornography. Patrick Logan Durrett, 24, was charged in an information filed in federal court.
As alleged by the government, in February, 2012, Durrett was making child pornography available for other users to download via the Internet using a peer-to-peer (P2P) networking file-sharing program. Undercover FBI agents made contact with Durrett, and the undercover agents were able to download at least 46 computer files depicting children engaged in sexually explicit activity from Durrett. The files distributed to the undercover agents included videos and images of explicit sexual abuse of children as young as four months old. Several of the images and videos depicted the sexual abuse of infant girls, including one image depicting bondage of a baby girl.
Albuquerque, NM
Yesterday, the FBI arrested Johncarlos Ortiz, 39, on a criminal complaint alleging child pornography charges, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales. Ortiz, a resident but not a member of Pojoaque Pueblo, New Mexico, made his initial appearance in federal court in Albuquerque this morning. During today’s proceedings, Ortiz entered a not guilty plea and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He was ordered detained pending trial.
The complaint alleges that Ortiz possessed and distributed child pornography on Sept. 11, 2012, at his residence in Pojoaque Pueblo. According to the complaint, the investigation of the case was initiated in July 2012, after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received information that images consistent with child pornography had been posted on a social networking site. The NCMEC sent the tip to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office (NMAGO). In early August 2012, after determining that the images were posted using an e-mail account subscribed to Ortiz, the NMAGO and the New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force contacted the FBI. The complaint alleges that, on September 11, 2012, the FBI executed a federal search warrant at Ortiz’s residence and seized a computer and a computer flash drive that allegedly contain images consistent with child pornography.
Alexandria, VA
Justin Strom, aka “Jae,” “Jae Dee,” or “J-Dirt,” 27, of Lorton, Virginia, was sentenced today to serve 40 years in prison for leading a gang-controlled prostitution business that recruited and trafficked high school girls over a five- to six-year period. One of Strom’s associates, Henock Ghile, 23, of Springfield, Virginia, also was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for serving as a driver in the sex trafficking enterprise. In total, five gang members or associates have been convicted of sex trafficking juveniles in connection with this case.
Washington, DC
Lonnie Newhouse, 47, of Beckley, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 16 years and eight months in prison on a charge of distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr.; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Newhouse pled guilty to the charge in May 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Beryl A. Howell. Upon completion of his prison term, Newhouse will be placed on 10 years of supervised release. He also will be required at that time to register as a sex offender for 25 years.
According to a factual proffer of evidence presented during the plea hearing, on September 6, 2011, an MPD member of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, who was operating undercover and posing as a pedophile as part of the investigation, communicated with Newhouse by instant messenger and telephone. During the course of the communications over the next several weeks, Newhouse sent the undercover officer 11 images and one video of child pornography. Newhouse was arrested on October 13, 2011.
Atlanta, GA
Two men appeared in federal court today in two recently indicted sex trafficking cases in which five men are charged with pimping three 14-year-old and one 16-year-old girls in Atlanta hotels. Two federal indictments, both returned on August 28, 2012, charge members of a gang that called itself Da M.O.B., with raping the girls and forcing them to perform commercial sex acts—in one case, allegedly beating the girl on a daily basis. The two cases are separated based on different victims and different members of the gang who are alleged to have participated in the sex trafficking offenses.
Fabian Terran Murray, also known as “Shooter,” age 25, of Smyrna, Georgia, is charged in both indictments. The first indictment also charges Joshua Thomas Hill, also known as “Cash,” age 24, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Clinton Saintvil, 24, of Miami, Florida, while the second indictment also charges Richard Douglas King, also known as “Ready,” age 25, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Jonathan Christopher Branch, 21, of Atlanta, Georgia. The two indictments charge the defendants with conspiring to engage in sex trafficking of minors and sex trafficking of minors. Murray and King also are charged with using a firearm during the commission of sex trafficking of a minor, and Hill is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Minneapolis, MN
U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lower Brule man charged with sexual abuse of a minor was sentenced on September 11, 2012, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange. Sean Johnson, age 22, was sentenced to 15 months in custody, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Johnson was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2012 on three counts of sexual abuse of a minor. He pled guilty to one count in June 2012.
The conviction stems from the time frame of December 2011 to February 2012, when Johnson and the minor victim met and began communicating via text messages. In February 2012, Johnson admitted to having sex with the minor victim three separate times.
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