Friday, July 17, 2009

Tammy Demice Truitt Wanted for Giving 9-Month-old Baby Alcohol

CARROLLTON, Ga.

Carrollton police are searching for a baby sitter they say fed a 9-month-old boy wine, causing the baby's blood-alcohol level to exceed four times the legal limit for an adult.

Carrollton police Sgt. Tony Johnson said authorities are searching for 40-year-old Tammy Demice Truitt of Carrollton on charges of first degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct for giving the baby alcohol.

Police said Truitt was the regular baby sitter for the baby and four other children, ages 9, 7, 5 and 3, but was called when the mother had to leave town for a family emergency.

Doctor's said the baby's blood-alcohol content of .33 is considered a life-threatening condition.

Johnson said the baby was released from the hospital on Wednesday and is doing fine.

Berne Schmidlkofer Arrested for Making Child Porn

Brevard County Sheriff’s investigators said they have uncovered “thousands” of child pornography images on the computer of a 65-year-old Cocoa Beach man arrested Wednesday night at his home on charges of making and distributing the material.

Berne Schmidlkofer is being held at the John E. Polk Correction Facility in Seminole County on federal charges of producing, distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography.

Brevard County Sheriff’s agents who began investigating him in April following a tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children said they have uncovered at least one molestation victim, but believe there may be others, said Lt. Tod Goodyear.

Schmidlkofer was housed Wednesday night at the Brevard County Detention Center, then released the next morning into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that helped investigate the case.

He faces up to 30 years in federal prison if convicted on all charges.

“We are not finished with the forensics on his computer but we have done some of it, and we have found thousands of images of child pornography,” Goodyear said. “There may be more (victims) but right now we can’t say that. Right now, it’s a forensics examination, and we can only confirm one victim.”

Schmidlkofer is a former Brevard County social studies and history teacher who taught sporadically within the district for a total of 4 ½ years since 1974, and resigned from a teaching position at Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School in 2004, district officials said.

He has spent the last five years teaching school in Japan and returned to Cocoa Beach in December 2008, U.S. Attorney officials said.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday, Schmidlkofer told police during a June 19 interview at his home that “people he met online” began sending him the images about three years ago, and that he deleted them. He admitted uploading photos to a Web site, but denied taking them, saying “he would never hurt a child because he was a ‘school teacher.’”

The complaint said agents were later contacted by a man who said Schmidlkofer molested two children.

When questioned, the children told police Schmidlkofer threatened to hurt their family members or send them to jail if they told anyone about the molestation, the complaint said. Nude photos of a boy were discovered on Schmidlkofer’s computer, the document said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Brevard County Sheriff’s Agent Dan Ogden at 633-8407.

Aza Hrnjic Arrested for Child Abuse & Child Porn

Hyattsville police are looking for families who hired as a nanny a Hyattsville woman they arrested Thursday and charged with several counts of child abuse and child pornography on computers.

Officers arrested Aza Hrnjic, 22, a Bosnian national whose work permit expired in April and who was living in the 6000 block of 42nd Avenue, according to Hyattsville City Police.

City police and U.S. Secret Service agents arrested Hrnjic and charged her with 10 counts, including child abuse, child pornography on computer, second-degree assault and contributing to the condition of a child causing need of supervision.

Hrnjic allegedly showed children she was supervising pornographic images on a computer and allegedly sent pornographic photos she took of the children over a live Web cam, according to Hyattsville City Police.

Hrnjic is being held in the Prince George's County Detention Center in Upper Marlboro on a $350,000 bond.

Hyattsville City Police are asking anyone who employed Hrnjic as a nanny to call 301-985-5060.

Kenneth Ford Sr & Kenneth Ford Jr Both Arrested for Sexual Abuse



A father and son from Wayne County have been charged with sexually abusing two children whom they were supposed to transport to church in the village of Newark.

Kenneth H. Ford Sr., 56, and Kenneth C. Ford Jr. 25, both of 5400 Route 31, Newark, were arrested on Thursday, State Police said.

The father was charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

His son was charged with third-degree aggravated sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

A family in the town of Macedon had entrusted the Fords to transport their 7-year-old and 9-year-old daughters to church in Newark, according to State Police.

The father and son are accused of picking up the children on three successive weekends in January and sexually molesting them.

After being arraigned, the Fords were committed to Wayne County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
____________________________

Keith Gray Accused of Inappropriately Touching 11-year-old


43-year-old Keith Gray of the 1000 block of Park Avenue in Ford Heights is accused of inappropriately touching an 11-year-old girl over her clothing, the release said.

That alleged attack took place one time on July 14, Gordon said.

Gray was arrested Wednesday and charged with criminal sexual abuse. Bond was set at $50,000 on Thursday during a hearing in Markham.

Jared James Arrested for Touching 5-year-old


A suburban man was ordered held on bond Thursday for allegedly sexually assaulting child.

Jared James, 22, of the 3700 block of Salem Walk in Glenview, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly inappropriately touching a 5-year-old child, according to a release from the Cook County Sheriff’s office.

The victim was a friend of one of James’ family members and the alleged abuse took place over several months, according to Cook County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Lisa Gordon.

James, charged with predatory criminal sexual assault, was ordered held on $250,000 bond during a hearing Thursday in Skokie.

Several People Arrested for Child Porn

The Camden County Prosecutor this afternoon released the names of more than a dozen people arrested following a yearlong investigation targeting people who allegedly downloaded child pornography.

Police this morning made arrests in Pennsauken and Camden, concluding a series of raids that began Monday and took officers to a number of towns, including Haddonfield and Voorhees, in recent days.

According to the prosecutor's office, those arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child by possessing child pornography, a 4th degree crime, are:

Jordan Winczuk, 24, an unemployed single male, of the 100 block of W. Holly Avenue, Oaklyn. He is also charged with distribution, the prosecutor said.

Michael Connelly, 51, a married police dispatcher, of the 1300 block of Elm Avenue in Haddon Township. He is also charged with distribution.

Samuel Sanders IV, 18, a single student, of the first block of Jasmine Lane, Gloucester Township.

James Patry, 46, a married truck driver, of the 100 block of New Brooklyn Road, Winslow. He is also charged with distribution.

David Bellocchio, 38, a single convenience store supervisor, of the first block of Constitution Blvd., Berlin Borough. He is also charged with distribution.

Clarence Pribus, 67, a married and retiree, of the 2100 block of Carriage Lane, Waterford.

Tim Schiffman, 27, a single military employee, of the 200 block of Barberry Lane, Haddonfield.

George C. Walter, 61, a married retiree, of the 100 block of Valley Place, Cherry Hill.

Jonathan Carpenter, 25, a single car salesman, of the first block of Royal Court, Voorhees. Car salesman, single.

Keith Jackson, 19, a single student, of the first block of Southgate Drive, Voorhees.

Jose Suarez, 30, a single port worker, of the 700 block of River Road, Camden. He is also charged with distribution.

Keenan Bain, 25, a single materials handler, of the 400 block of Carl Miller Blvd., Camden. He is also charged with distribution.

A warrant has also been issued for Walter Taylor III, 25, of the 1200 block of Lakeshore Drive, Camden. Unknown profession, single.

Two others are also being sought. Their names are being withheld at this time. The prosecutor's office did not release the names of several juveniles arrested in the sweep.

Donald Monplaisir in Court for Sexual Assault

A Riverside County Probation Department employee accused of sexually assaulting an underage relative more than a decade ago is set to appear in court today for a preliminary hearing.

Donald Monplaisir, 53, of La Quinta, faces 47 counts of rape by force and a dozen counts of lewd acts with a child under 16 years old.

The preliminary hearing starting today is intended to enable a judge to determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial on the sexual assault charges.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Graham Cribbs is expected to also hear a motion to dismiss charges against the defendant.

Monplaisir's attorney, John Patrick Dolan, has argued that charges against his client should be dropped because the statute of limitations has lapsed and prosecutors have not provided corroborating evidence that support the victim's claims.

A spokesman for the District Attorney's Office said previously that it had a year after the abuse was reported to file charges.

Anthony Williams Sentenced to 6 Years for Injury to Child

A Williamson County jury on Thursday sentenced Royal Anthony Williams to six years in prison for injury to a child.

The jury on Wednesday found Williams guilty of the charge after he was accused of beating his girlfriend's toddler when potty-training the child Oct. 30.

Williams, 24, could have received up to 10 years in prison. He must serve three years before he is eligible for parole.

According to the arrest affidavit, Williams struck his girlfriend's son, then 16 months, on his buttocks, legs and abdomen with a belt after the child soiled his diapers.

An examination later at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin revealed that the child had injuries to various parts of his body including an eyelid, his abdomen, both legs, his hand and wrist and buttocks. The prosecutor told the jury that the strikes left scars on the child's buttocks.

Denver Grandmother Arrested for Using 7-year-old Shoplift

A Denver grandmother has been arrested and faces a possible charge of child abuse for using a 7-year-old to help her shoplift, police said.

The incident happened Wednesday night at the JC Penney store in the Northfield Stapleton shopping center.

The 60-year-old woman is accused of attempting to steal about $1,200 worth of goods, including a coat she put on the little girl, said Sonny Jackson, a Denver Police Department spokesman.

She strolled out of the store with a cart full of goods she didn't pay for and was stopped in a parking lot by store security, according to a police report.

Police declined to identify the woman, who faces possible charges of felony theft and child abuse, because they sought to protect the child, a victim in the crime as well, Jackson said.

The child-abuse charge stems from using a child in the commission of a crime, he said.

Willaim Echard Arrested for Child Abuse


A Clarksburg man is arrested for allegedly hurting a child.

27 year-old William Morgan Echard was arrested early Friday morning, and charged with three counts of child abuse with serious injury.

The child is in the hospital. We don't know the child's age or condition at this time.

Echard is being held in the North Central Regional Jail.

The Harrison County Sheriff's Department is investigating.

Officer David Kass Arrested for Online Child Enticement

Omaha police officer David Kass posted bond and left the Sarpy County jail Thursday, after a judge approved a pretrial release for the man accused of online child enticement.

Kass, 25, was ordered to avoid children, networking sites and computers.

La Vista police said Kass initiated a sexual conversation with one of their undercover officers. Kass was arrested Wednesday at his Northwest Omaha home. Child enticement by electronic communication device is a class IV felony.

Investigators seized three computers, a gaming system, and a nightstand from Kass's home during a search Wednesday afternoon.

Kass has been placed on administrative leave from the police department. His preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 10.

Kass' roommate said she was shocked by the allegations.

"I don't know how to feel right now," she said Wednesday. "Because it's two different people in my mind. It doesn't seem real to me, whatsoever."
_______________________
Previous Stories: July 16, 2009: Omaha Police Officer Arrested, Accused Of Online Enticement

Monroe Donald Macrae Arrested for Sexual Assault, Rape


What police called a “major” child sex assault was under investigation after Multnomah County Sheriff Bob Skipper found a little girl sitting alone in the parking lot as he left work Tuesday.

“I knew something was wrong so I started asking questions and she didn’t have answers for them,” said Sheriff Skipper.

Skipper said the child was suffering from something more than being lost or abandoned.

Portland Police took over the investigation after Multnomah county Sheriff Bob Skipper found a child alone in the lot on NE 122nd and Glisan.

Child Abuse Team detectives say Monroe Donald Macrae, 29, was arrested on rape, sodomy and sex abuse charges. Investigators say the little girl has been removed from a horrible situation.

"There isn't a police officer in this area that wouldn't have walked out and wondered what's going on here and I think it's just part of being a police officer," said Skipper. "You get used to paying attention to things around you and it didn't look right.”

Sheriff Skipper worked as a child abuse detective for many years prior to becoming sheriff.

Sam Salazar Arrested for Failing to Register


A convicted sex offender from San Miguel County wanted for failing to register was arrested in Albuquerque Wednesday in the company of four juveniles, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department.

A warrant for the arrest of Sam Salazar, 44, has been outstanding since April when he failed to re-register as a sex offender in Las Vegas in San Miguel County, Sheriff's Lt. David Knowles told KRQE News 13

Deputies arrested Salazar just after 5 p.m. Wednesday at an apartment in the 400 block of Western Skies SE in southeast Albuquerque. He was taken into custody without incident and booked him into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Knowles said four juveniles were inside the property with Salazar at the time of the arrest. Three of the juveniles were handed over to the Children, Youth and Families Department while the fourth was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant and booked into a juvenile detention facility.

Neither Knowles nor CYFD are commenting on the relationship between the children and Salazar or why they were with him.

Salazar was convicted of molestation of a child in Maricopa County, Arizona, in 2001 and had been a registered sex offender living in San Miguel County ever since.

Darin Messersmith Arrested for Enticement

The following is a press release from the Nebraska State Patrol:


The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, working with the Beatrice Police Department, arrested a Brady, Nebraska man on felony charges of Enticement by Electronic Communication Device and Sexual Assault by Use of an Electronic Communication Device.

During a month long investigation, beginning in June, 33-year-old Darin Messersmith, of rural Brady, had sexually explicit chats with Investigators from both the Nebraska State Patrol and Beatrice Police Department, posing as underage individuals. During the chats, Messersmith pleasured himself on his webcam and solicited and enticed investigators to engage in sexual penetration.

Messersmith was arrested Thursday, July 16, 2009, at his place of work in Gothenburg, Nebraska. He was lodged in the Lancaster County Jail on the above charges. He was also arrested on a Gage County warrant for Sexual Assault by Use of an Electronic Communication Device.

Matthew Stephens Arrested for Child Porn

State police say an employee of a nonprofit group that provides scholarships to public school students was arrested after authorities found sexually explicit images of children on his computer at work.

Twenty-5-year-old Matthew Stephens of Harahan was booked with one count of possession of child pornography.

Trooper Joseph Piglia said investigators executed a search warrant last week at the Jefferson Dollars For Scholars headquarters in Metairie, and found images of children as young as 4 years old being sexually abused.

Dollars for Scholars Chairman Glenn Hayes said Stephens was a part-time clerical worker who had been with the organization for more than two years.

Piglia said investigators don't suspect that anyone else at the nonprofit knew about the images.


Information from: The Times-Picayune, http://www.nola.com