Coy Fields will serve 2 to 15 years in prison after he sexually abused a 6-year-old three times in May in Quincy Township.
The child’s mother tearfully told Branch County Circuit Court Judge Bill O’Grady that the family only “agreed to a plea bargain” to prevent the girl from reliving the incidents again at trial.
Fields, 43, had originally been charged with first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Judge O’Grady said the sentence was according to the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines.
“Your crime is very disturbing,” O’Grady said. “I am incarcerating you not only to protect the children, but to protect the entire community from your predatory behavior.”
Showing posts with label Michigan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michigan. Show all posts
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Nine Men Arrested in Internet Sting in Michigan
Nine men are behind bars accused of trying to have sex with a child after meeting them on the Internet.
Police said the men drove from all over Michigan and Ohio to meet with a cop who posed as a teenager for sex.
The Michigan Attorney General's office and Livingston County Sheriff's department teamed up with Perverted Justice for a three-day sting operation in Howell.
On Monday, Sheriff Robert Bezotte announced results of that sting that took place from Aug 14-16.
Police said more than 150 men attempted to engage in sexual activity with officers posing as children.
"It's very disturbing because we are only touch the tip of the ice berg," said Sheriff Bezotte.
Those arrested include a retired Detroit police officer, a grocery store clerk from Clarkston, a local security guard, a postal carrier and a software engineer from metro Detroit.
The men range from 24 to 53 years old.
The defendants were charged with child sexually abusive activity and using a computer to commit a crime, both felonies.
"The message for predators is loud and clear," said Attorney General Mike Cox. "We are watching. If you attempt to target a child, we will take you offline."
Those arrested are:
George William Allen, 53, of Detroit. Police said Allen is a retired City of Detroit police officer who counseled the undercover agent on how to avoid saving chat logs and threatened to kill himself if turned in.
Allen was arrested at a nearby fast food restaurant parking lot.
John Deleo Custer, 40, of Clawson. Clawson is a grocery store clerk who took a cab from Oakland County to the decoy location, later arriving at the home on foot.
He was arrested outside the home.
Jason Jerome Lombardo, 37, of Eastpointe. Lombardo is a music D.J., who was taken into custody at a nearby fast-food restaurant parking lot.
Michael Thomas Krauss, 49, of LaSalle in Monroe County. Krauss is a security guard who was taken into custody when he walked into the decoy home.
Dipankar Roy, 29, of Columbus, Ohio; reported that he is an Indian citizen in the United States for about a month as a software programmer.
Police said Roy took a cab to the decoy home after taking a bus from Columbus to Detroit.
Timothy John Fitzhugh, 47, of Grand Rapids; also arrested by authorities at a fast-food restaurant parking lot while carrying condoms, lubricant and pornographic videos.
Robert Joseph Smith, 24, of Flint.
Ashish Jain, 29, of Rochester Hills.
Ronald Alan Blake, 50, of Flint.
Police said in each case the men used chat rooms or Craig's List to find the teens.
Internet Crimes Detective Matthew Shutts sat down with Local 4 Monday to show how fast investigators can lure child predators online.
"I've just logged in and had 2 contacts within probably 20 seconds," said Shutts, who was posing as a child looking for sex in an internet chat room.
Cox said investigators will work to locate the men who responded to the online postings and were not arrested.
"This is a reminder for parents that the Internet is being used by predators to target our children," said Cox. "Parents must be monitoring what their kids are doing online and talk often with them about the dangers of communicating with people they don't know and trust."
Police said the men drove from all over Michigan and Ohio to meet with a cop who posed as a teenager for sex.
The Michigan Attorney General's office and Livingston County Sheriff's department teamed up with Perverted Justice for a three-day sting operation in Howell.
On Monday, Sheriff Robert Bezotte announced results of that sting that took place from Aug 14-16.
Police said more than 150 men attempted to engage in sexual activity with officers posing as children.
"It's very disturbing because we are only touch the tip of the ice berg," said Sheriff Bezotte.
Those arrested include a retired Detroit police officer, a grocery store clerk from Clarkston, a local security guard, a postal carrier and a software engineer from metro Detroit.
The men range from 24 to 53 years old.
The defendants were charged with child sexually abusive activity and using a computer to commit a crime, both felonies.
"The message for predators is loud and clear," said Attorney General Mike Cox. "We are watching. If you attempt to target a child, we will take you offline."
Those arrested are:
George William Allen, 53, of Detroit. Police said Allen is a retired City of Detroit police officer who counseled the undercover agent on how to avoid saving chat logs and threatened to kill himself if turned in.
Allen was arrested at a nearby fast food restaurant parking lot.
John Deleo Custer, 40, of Clawson. Clawson is a grocery store clerk who took a cab from Oakland County to the decoy location, later arriving at the home on foot.
He was arrested outside the home.
Jason Jerome Lombardo, 37, of Eastpointe. Lombardo is a music D.J., who was taken into custody at a nearby fast-food restaurant parking lot.
Michael Thomas Krauss, 49, of LaSalle in Monroe County. Krauss is a security guard who was taken into custody when he walked into the decoy home.
Dipankar Roy, 29, of Columbus, Ohio; reported that he is an Indian citizen in the United States for about a month as a software programmer.
Police said Roy took a cab to the decoy home after taking a bus from Columbus to Detroit.
Timothy John Fitzhugh, 47, of Grand Rapids; also arrested by authorities at a fast-food restaurant parking lot while carrying condoms, lubricant and pornographic videos.
Robert Joseph Smith, 24, of Flint.
Ashish Jain, 29, of Rochester Hills.
Ronald Alan Blake, 50, of Flint.
Police said in each case the men used chat rooms or Craig's List to find the teens.
Internet Crimes Detective Matthew Shutts sat down with Local 4 Monday to show how fast investigators can lure child predators online.
"I've just logged in and had 2 contacts within probably 20 seconds," said Shutts, who was posing as a child looking for sex in an internet chat room.
Cox said investigators will work to locate the men who responded to the online postings and were not arrested.
"This is a reminder for parents that the Internet is being used by predators to target our children," said Cox. "Parents must be monitoring what their kids are doing online and talk often with them about the dangers of communicating with people they don't know and trust."
Friday, August 7, 2009
Bay City Man Arrested for Abusing his 7-year-old Son
BAY CITY, Mich.
A Bay City man who authorities say abused his 7-year-old son and allowed others to torture the boy has pleaded guilty in the case to a charge of first-degree child abuse.
The 37-year-old man entered the plea Friday in Bay County Circuit Court. A charge of second-degree child abuse was dismissed as part of the plea. He faces nine to 15 years in prison when sentenced Sept. 21.
Authorities say the abuse took place in 2007 at the man's Bay City home, and a couple also living at the home starved, tortured and burned the child.
The case was uncovered in September 2007, when a social worker from the Department of Human Services visited the home and noticed a burn on the child's arm.
The boy's mother died in 2003. He has since been adopted by family members.
A Bay City man who authorities say abused his 7-year-old son and allowed others to torture the boy has pleaded guilty in the case to a charge of first-degree child abuse.
The 37-year-old man entered the plea Friday in Bay County Circuit Court. A charge of second-degree child abuse was dismissed as part of the plea. He faces nine to 15 years in prison when sentenced Sept. 21.
Authorities say the abuse took place in 2007 at the man's Bay City home, and a couple also living at the home starved, tortured and burned the child.
The case was uncovered in September 2007, when a social worker from the Department of Human Services visited the home and noticed a burn on the child's arm.
The boy's mother died in 2003. He has since been adopted by family members.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Roger Dale Roberts Charged with Making Child Porn
MUSKEGON COUNTY -- The choice was stark.
Either the child-pornography defendant was lying on the witness stand about alleged police misconduct -- after passing multiple private polygraph tests with the same story -- or two Norton Shores police officers were.
After many hours of hearings stretching over three separate days, Muskegon County Circuit Judge Timothy G. Hicks decided: The police testimony was "closer to the truth."
With that decision Wednesday afternoon, Hicks cleared the decks for a trial starting today for 50-year-old gym owner Roger Dale Roberts, charged with three felony counts of making child sexually abusive material. That's normally punishable by up to 20 years in prison, but in Roberts' case the top penalty is life because he has three prior felony convictions in 1994 for contractor fraud.
Roberts is accused of taking pictures and video of himself having sex with a 17-year-old girl he met through his business. Although 16 is Michigan's age of consent for sexual relations, it's a felony to make pornography of a person younger than 18.
Hicks rejected Roberts' motion to suppress virtually all the evidence against him, including a cell phone with video on it, a digital camera containing multiple still photos, and several glossy photos of the girl. Had the judge granted the motion, it would have made the case much harder to prosecute.
The defense motion was based on Roberts' allegations that last Sept. 19 police Sgt. Mike Kasher and Officer Jim Davis -- investigating the alleged victim's claim that Roberts had raped her -- entered his Seminole Road home without his permission; kept questioning him after he asked twice to call a lawyer; and seized his cell phone and camera without his permission. All would be violations of Roberts' constitutional rights and would bar the use of evidence police obtained as a result.
Roberts, a muscular man with two martial-arts black belts, testified that the officers showed up angry and aggressive, intimidating him into backing out of their way in his doorway as they barged in. He also said Davis snatched his cell phone from his hand and later picked up his camera from the kitchen in a search without permission.
Kasher and Davis testified that Roberts let them into his home, that he never mentioned wanting a lawyer, and that he himself first produced the cell phone to show them video of what appeared to be consensual sex, saying, "Does that look like rape?"
Three independent polygraph examiners, all with some law-enforcement background or training, rated Roberts as "truthful" in his allegations after separate tests administered last month. All three testified at the hearing on Roberts' motion.
Defense attorney A. Scott Grabel of Lansing argued that the polygraph results bolstered his client's credibility in a classic case of clashing stories.
But Senior Assistant Prosecutor Dale J. Roberts argued that the tests are unreliable, as demonstrated by the fact that they're not admissible at trial in Michigan or most other states.
The judge's conclusion about polygraph evidence: "It's not that valid. It's not that good."
Hicks also said he considered the officers' testimony on the stand to be more believable than that of Roberts or Roberts' 12-year-old son, who testified with the same story as his father's.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Brothers Gerald & Glen Hall Arrested for Using Blow Torch to Burn 6-year-old
Two Clare County men are headed to trial on charges of torture and first-degree child abuse.
A Monday pretrial hearing for Gerald T. Hall and his brother, Glen L. Hall, failed to produce plea agreements so the case will proceed, said Special Prosecutor Norman E. Gage. Glen Hall, 44, faces an additional charge of being an habitual offender.
A trial date is pending.
State police from the Mount Pleasant Post claim the men in October took turns using a blow torch to burn a 6-year-old boy's buttocks to punish him.
The youngster is the son of Gerald Hall, 36. The boy suffered second- and third-degree burns.
Glen Hall already is on probation for a charge of operating under the influence causing serious injury, state Department of Corrections records show. He pleaded guilty in 2003 in Isabella County.
A Monday pretrial hearing for Gerald T. Hall and his brother, Glen L. Hall, failed to produce plea agreements so the case will proceed, said Special Prosecutor Norman E. Gage. Glen Hall, 44, faces an additional charge of being an habitual offender.
A trial date is pending.
State police from the Mount Pleasant Post claim the men in October took turns using a blow torch to burn a 6-year-old boy's buttocks to punish him.
The youngster is the son of Gerald Hall, 36. The boy suffered second- and third-degree burns.
Glen Hall already is on probation for a charge of operating under the influence causing serious injury, state Department of Corrections records show. He pleaded guilty in 2003 in Isabella County.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Trent Perault Jr Arrested for Sexually Assaulting 2-year-old
District Court authorities set a $250,000 bond for an Oklahoma man accused of sexually assaulting a 2-year-old girl.
Trent D. Perault, Jr., 27, was arraigned on single counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving penetration and first-degree child abuse.
Perault could spend the rest of his life behind bars if he is convicted of the criminal sexual conduct charge. The child abuse charge is a felony that carries a maximum 15-year sentence.
He must return to court for a 9 a.m. Monday, July 27, preliminary hearing.
Gladwin police arrested Perault early Sunday after an investigation that began Saturday when the tot's mother and Perault, who is the mother's boyfriend, took the child to the emergency room at Mid Michigan Medical Center - Gladwin for treatment of injuries to her vaginal area, said Chief Charles P. Jones.
Doctors in Gladwin transferred the youngster to Covenant Medical Center in Saginaw where doctors determined she had been sexually assaulted, Jones said. The victim remains hospitalized.
"During the subsequent intensive investigation, officers learned that the injuries occurred while the victim and her 6-month-old sibling were left in the care of the boyfriend while the mother was at work," the chief said.
Trent D. Perault, Jr., 27, was arraigned on single counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving penetration and first-degree child abuse.
Perault could spend the rest of his life behind bars if he is convicted of the criminal sexual conduct charge. The child abuse charge is a felony that carries a maximum 15-year sentence.
He must return to court for a 9 a.m. Monday, July 27, preliminary hearing.
Gladwin police arrested Perault early Sunday after an investigation that began Saturday when the tot's mother and Perault, who is the mother's boyfriend, took the child to the emergency room at Mid Michigan Medical Center - Gladwin for treatment of injuries to her vaginal area, said Chief Charles P. Jones.
Doctors in Gladwin transferred the youngster to Covenant Medical Center in Saginaw where doctors determined she had been sexually assaulted, Jones said. The victim remains hospitalized.
"During the subsequent intensive investigation, officers learned that the injuries occurred while the victim and her 6-month-old sibling were left in the care of the boyfriend while the mother was at work," the chief said.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Peter Lukasavitz Sentenced to 15 Years for Child Porn
An Ann Arbor man was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for possessing and trading child pornography through a now-defunct feature of Google.com.
Peter Christian Lukasavitz, 31, was ordered to serve 15 years in prison during a brief sentencing hearing in Detroit federal court Thursday, the U.S. Attorney's office press release indicated.
Lukasavitz pleaded guilty to transportation of child pornographic material earlier this year. Investigators said he had a collection of more than 1,000 erotic images of children and pornographic movies depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as 20 months old, the release said.
Neither Lukasavitz nor his Saline-based attorney, M. Ellen Dennis, returned calls from the News on Friday.
Prior to his arrest in 2008, Lukasavitz consistently traded the images with others through "Google Hello,'' a peer-to-peer messaging and instant photo-sharing Web site.
He and others discussed their mutual sexual interest in and the sexual assaults of children, officials said.
"The judge aptly described these images as horrifying and unimaginable, " U.S. Attorney Terry Berg said in a written statement. "A 15-year prison sentence will hopefully provide a strong deterrent to others who would consider traveling this road.''
The site was known for its instant messenger-style photos sharing application that simplified sending photos to others via an encrypted connection.
The Internet search giant ceased the photo-sharing and chat site in May 2008.
Lukasavitz was arrested after authorities seized the computer of a trading partner in Pennsylvania.
Peter Christian Lukasavitz, 31, was ordered to serve 15 years in prison during a brief sentencing hearing in Detroit federal court Thursday, the U.S. Attorney's office press release indicated.
Lukasavitz pleaded guilty to transportation of child pornographic material earlier this year. Investigators said he had a collection of more than 1,000 erotic images of children and pornographic movies depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as 20 months old, the release said.
Neither Lukasavitz nor his Saline-based attorney, M. Ellen Dennis, returned calls from the News on Friday.
Prior to his arrest in 2008, Lukasavitz consistently traded the images with others through "Google Hello,'' a peer-to-peer messaging and instant photo-sharing Web site.
He and others discussed their mutual sexual interest in and the sexual assaults of children, officials said.
"The judge aptly described these images as horrifying and unimaginable, " U.S. Attorney Terry Berg said in a written statement. "A 15-year prison sentence will hopefully provide a strong deterrent to others who would consider traveling this road.''
The site was known for its instant messenger-style photos sharing application that simplified sending photos to others via an encrypted connection.
The Internet search giant ceased the photo-sharing and chat site in May 2008.
Lukasavitz was arrested after authorities seized the computer of a trading partner in Pennsylvania.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wyman Wright Faces Life on Child Porn Charges
A 71-year-old Saginaw man likely faces life in prison on child pornography charges.
A U.S. District Court jury in Bay City found Wyman Wright guilty Thursday, on six counts of receiving child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Investigators from the Mid-Michigan computer Crimes Task Force found more than 850 images or videos of child pornography on his computer hard drive. Wright had confessed to organizing the material according to various interests, such as animals, bondage and young.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington set an October 26th sentencing date. Each pornography charges carries a minimum five year sentence and the possession carries up to 10 years in prison.
A U.S. District Court jury in Bay City found Wyman Wright guilty Thursday, on six counts of receiving child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Investigators from the Mid-Michigan computer Crimes Task Force found more than 850 images or videos of child pornography on his computer hard drive. Wright had confessed to organizing the material according to various interests, such as animals, bondage and young.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington set an October 26th sentencing date. Each pornography charges carries a minimum five year sentence and the possession carries up to 10 years in prison.
Mary Ann Rollins Arrested for Child Abuse
A Highland Township woman has been charged with child abuse after she was found intoxicated and staggering down a road, with her 4-year-old son following far behind, police said.
Mary Ann Rollins, 47, has been charged with fourth degree child abuse Wednesday in 52-1 District Court in Novi, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
She’ll be back in court July 15.
According to police, Rollins was found wandering down Duck Lake Road Monday, with her son following about 50-feet behind her along the edge of the road.
Witnesses told police that, at one point, Rollins passed out on the front yard of a residence, with her child crying nearby.
Once taken into custody, she was found to have a blood-alcohol level of .164%.
Her son has been placed with relatives by child protective services, according to the sheriff’s office.
Police said Rollins has a previous conviction of child neglect stemming from a 2005 incident, where she was found to have been pushing her son down the center of a roadway in a baby stroller while intoxicated.
It’s unclear whether Rollins posted bond.
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More Information: http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/Articles-i-2009-07-15-70184.113117_Woman_arrested_faces_child_abuse_charge.html
Mary Ann Rollins, 47, has been charged with fourth degree child abuse Wednesday in 52-1 District Court in Novi, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
She’ll be back in court July 15.
According to police, Rollins was found wandering down Duck Lake Road Monday, with her son following about 50-feet behind her along the edge of the road.
Witnesses told police that, at one point, Rollins passed out on the front yard of a residence, with her child crying nearby.
Once taken into custody, she was found to have a blood-alcohol level of .164%.
Her son has been placed with relatives by child protective services, according to the sheriff’s office.
Police said Rollins has a previous conviction of child neglect stemming from a 2005 incident, where she was found to have been pushing her son down the center of a roadway in a baby stroller while intoxicated.
It’s unclear whether Rollins posted bond.
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More Information: http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/Articles-i-2009-07-15-70184.113117_Woman_arrested_faces_child_abuse_charge.html
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Edward Lee French Charged with Possession of Child Porn
A 28-year-old registered sex offender from Mason was charged today for having child pornography at his home, police said.
Edward Lee French was charged with one count of possession of child sexually abusive material and being a habitual offender, Meridian Township police said. The judge set bond at $50,000.
Police on Monday searched French's home, on West Dexter Trail in Mason, because they suspected that he provided alcohol and pornography to minors at a July 4 party he hosted at the Hampton Inn in Okemos, police said.
Police are still investigating that incident, and French next week may face additional charges related to the party, police said.
Edward Lee French was charged with one count of possession of child sexually abusive material and being a habitual offender, Meridian Township police said. The judge set bond at $50,000.
Police on Monday searched French's home, on West Dexter Trail in Mason, because they suspected that he provided alcohol and pornography to minors at a July 4 party he hosted at the Hampton Inn in Okemos, police said.
Police are still investigating that incident, and French next week may face additional charges related to the party, police said.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Registered Sex Offender Faces Charges of Child Porn
A registered sex offender faces child pornography charges after investigators working on another case found child pornography inside the man’s home.
Meridian Township police released few details about the case. They did not identify the man because he has not been formally charged.
The Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case, Sgt. Lana Howell said today in a news release. The man could be arraigned Wednesday.
The man was being investigated after he was identified as providing alcohol and pornography to minors during a Fourth of July party at an Okemos hotel, Howell said.
A search of his home resulted in the discovery of child pornography, Howell said.
He is being held at the Ingham County Jail, she said.
Meridian Township police released few details about the case. They did not identify the man because he has not been formally charged.
The Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case, Sgt. Lana Howell said today in a news release. The man could be arraigned Wednesday.
The man was being investigated after he was identified as providing alcohol and pornography to minors during a Fourth of July party at an Okemos hotel, Howell said.
A search of his home resulted in the discovery of child pornography, Howell said.
He is being held at the Ingham County Jail, she said.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Joshua Andrew Dorothy Sentenced to 20 Years for Trafficking Child Porn
A 21-year-old Warren man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Detroit to 20 years in prison for distributing child pornography.
Joshua Andrew Dorothy was first identified by undercover FBI agents through Internet chats. Using a fictitious screen name, Dorothy sought out others epxressing an interest in sex with children, federal authorities said.
During an exchange of text messages with an undercover agent on May 28, 2008, Dorothy claimed to have repeatedly assaulted a 2-year-old girl that he babysat, authorities said.
On June 2, 2008, Dorothy transferred nearly 40 child pornography video files, depicting the sexual assault of children, to an undercover agent, authorities said.
Dorothy pleaded guilty on Jan. 26 before U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen and received the maximum sentence today.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhood, a nationwide initiative to fight child sexual exploitation and abuse launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2006.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonid Feller prosecuted Dorothy.
Clifford Gould Jr Sentenced to LIFE for Sexually Assaulting 3 Children
A member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians was sentenced to life in prison today in a Grand Rapids federal court for sexually assaulting three child tribe members.
Clifford Gould Jr., 47, of Peshawbestown was convicted of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual conduct in March.
U.S. Attorney Donald Davis said Gould attacked the girls -- two of whom were 9 and one was 6 at the time --- in his home on the Grand Traverse Band reservation on the Leelanau Peninsula between April 2005 and May 2007.
"I hope this sentence sends a clear message to those who think they can commit violent crime in Indian Country with impunity, especially the exploitation of children in our tribal communities," Davis added. "There will be a high price to pay."
Clifford Gould Jr., 47, of Peshawbestown was convicted of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual conduct in March.
U.S. Attorney Donald Davis said Gould attacked the girls -- two of whom were 9 and one was 6 at the time --- in his home on the Grand Traverse Band reservation on the Leelanau Peninsula between April 2005 and May 2007.
"I hope this sentence sends a clear message to those who think they can commit violent crime in Indian Country with impunity, especially the exploitation of children in our tribal communities," Davis added. "There will be a high price to pay."
Monday, June 22, 2009
Bob Bopp Arrested for Sexual Assault
The latest photo of Bob Bopp, the high school hall of fame hockey coach who led Grosse Pointe South to a state championship in 2007, isn't a publicity snapshot or an image captured moments after victory.
It's a blurry mug shot, taken by law enforcement officials after Bopp was booked on suspicion of sexual assault, charges that could land him in jail for the rest of his life.
Bopp, 53, and James McBee, 20, of Highland Township were being held Monday without bond on several felony charges, including raping a 16-year-old Farmington Hills boy in 2007. The men are accused of giving the teen alcohol, showing him pornographic pictures and sexually assaulting him.
Law enforcement officials throughout the region fear there could be others alleging abuse.
Meanwhile on Monday, the Grosse Pointe school district posted a vacancy for the job of Grosse Pointe South varsity hockey coach on its Web site.
Bopp's attorney, Southfield-based Christopher Andreoff, said his client is holding up, but he declined to discuss specifics of the case because he is waiting to see more evidence.
"He's obviously very upset by the charges," Andreoff said of Bopp. "It's very stressful. I told him to have as much patience as he can until we see how this works out."
During a raid of Bopp's home June 16, authorities said they confiscated pornographic images, including videos believed to involve kids. Authorities are now working to identify those in the pictures and on the tapes.
The raid was conducted by federal agents along with officers from the Farmington Hills and Taylor police departments.
Maria Miller, a Wayne County assistant prosecutor, on Monday said: "We would urge anyone with information that may be helpful to the investigation of defendants Bopp and McBee to call their local police."
Parents and team members painted a paradoxical picture of a man fiercely dedicated to his team but also secretive about his personal life.
He was aloof when parents approached him, often avoiding their gaze, even when they came to congratulate him on a good game, one parent said.
'The kids liked him'
It's a blurry mug shot, taken by law enforcement officials after Bopp was booked on suspicion of sexual assault, charges that could land him in jail for the rest of his life.
Bopp, 53, and James McBee, 20, of Highland Township were being held Monday without bond on several felony charges, including raping a 16-year-old Farmington Hills boy in 2007. The men are accused of giving the teen alcohol, showing him pornographic pictures and sexually assaulting him.
Law enforcement officials throughout the region fear there could be others alleging abuse.
Meanwhile on Monday, the Grosse Pointe school district posted a vacancy for the job of Grosse Pointe South varsity hockey coach on its Web site.
Bopp's attorney, Southfield-based Christopher Andreoff, said his client is holding up, but he declined to discuss specifics of the case because he is waiting to see more evidence.
"He's obviously very upset by the charges," Andreoff said of Bopp. "It's very stressful. I told him to have as much patience as he can until we see how this works out."
During a raid of Bopp's home June 16, authorities said they confiscated pornographic images, including videos believed to involve kids. Authorities are now working to identify those in the pictures and on the tapes.
The raid was conducted by federal agents along with officers from the Farmington Hills and Taylor police departments.
Maria Miller, a Wayne County assistant prosecutor, on Monday said: "We would urge anyone with information that may be helpful to the investigation of defendants Bopp and McBee to call their local police."
Parents and team members painted a paradoxical picture of a man fiercely dedicated to his team but also secretive about his personal life.
He was aloof when parents approached him, often avoiding their gaze, even when they came to congratulate him on a good game, one parent said.
'The kids liked him'
"He was very standoffish with parents," said a mother of one team member, who declined to be identified. "He was very hard to get to know, but the kids liked him."
Bryan Sullivan, president of the Michigan Metro High School Hockey League, said Bopp was well-respected and was always advocating for his players to other coaches and nominating them for awards.
Sullivan said several coaches in the league felt a collective guilt for failing to see any warning signs.
"We're all in this for the kids. You don't want to see anything like this happen," said Sullivan, who has known Bopp as a coach for 25 years.
Dan Barry, who took over as president of the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association in April 2008, said he was stunned by the allegations.
Barry, the head coach at Warren De La Salle, said he has known Bopp for 16 years.
"He always got the best out of his players," Barry said. "He kept them motivated, and the kids always seemed to like him."
Bopp's preliminary exam is set for June 29.
Meanwhile, Taylor Police Cmdr. Don Helvey said authorities are "bracing for the possibility of other victims."
"That's where we'll do our follow-up -- it's basically waiting to see if anything else comes up from other cases."
Grosse Pointe Schools officials did not return calls Monday to The Detroit News.
'Red flags were ignored'
At a board meeting Monday night, parent Mike Shields told officials his son played on the hockey team for about three years but quit before the end of his senior year because of problems with the coach.
"Red flags were ignored," Shields told the board during the public comments portion of the meeting.
"This issue runs deeper than just the coach."
Bopp started coaching Grosse Pointe South in 1992, amassing a 241-120-12 record before winning the Division II state championship in 2007.
Video: 2007 interview with hockey coach Bob Bopp
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Saturday, June 20, 2009
Officer Anthony Miller Pleads Guilty to Having Child Porn
A police officer from western Wisconsin pleaded guilty to having child porn on duty.
Anthony T. Miller of New Richmond pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography in St. Croix County court.
One of those charges was amended from exploitation of a child. Miller served for 11 years with the Hastings, Minnesota police department. Investigators say Miller admitted he downloaded and traded pornographic pictures of children while he was on duty.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 17th.
Anthony T. Miller of New Richmond pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography in St. Croix County court.
One of those charges was amended from exploitation of a child. Miller served for 11 years with the Hastings, Minnesota police department. Investigators say Miller admitted he downloaded and traded pornographic pictures of children while he was on duty.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 17th.
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Information: http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/muskegon_county/Miller_admits_sex_crimes_with_kids
Friday, June 12, 2009
Dennis Delaney Sentenced to 25 years for Distribution Child Porn
A Detroit-area man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after a jury convicted him on child pornography charges.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit says 38-year-old Dennis Delaney of Northville was sentenced Thursday on federal charges including distribution and possession of child pornography.
A jury convicted Delaney last year after a two-week trial. Prosecutors say he met a then-12-year-old girl on the Internet and later they met in person. Delaney took sexually explicit photos of the girl, which he then distributed on the Internet.
In a court filing, Delaney's attorneys said the girl told him she was 18 years old and their relationship ended when he discovered she was lying about her age.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit says 38-year-old Dennis Delaney of Northville was sentenced Thursday on federal charges including distribution and possession of child pornography.
A jury convicted Delaney last year after a two-week trial. Prosecutors say he met a then-12-year-old girl on the Internet and later they met in person. Delaney took sexually explicit photos of the girl, which he then distributed on the Internet.
In a court filing, Delaney's attorneys said the girl told him she was 18 years old and their relationship ended when he discovered she was lying about her age.
Dennis Delaney Sentenced to 25 Years for Trafficking Child Porn
A Detroit-area man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after a jury convicted him on child pornography charges.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit says 38-year-old Dennis Delaney of Northville was sentenced Thursday on federal charges including distribution and possession of child pornography.
A jury convicted Delaney last year after a two-week trial. Prosecutors say he met a then-12-year-old girl on the Internet and later they met in person. Delaney took sexually explicit photos of the girl, which he then distributed on the Internet.
In a court filing, Delaney's attorneys said the girl told him she was 18 years old and their relationship ended when he discovered she was lying about her age.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit says 38-year-old Dennis Delaney of Northville was sentenced Thursday on federal charges including distribution and possession of child pornography.
A jury convicted Delaney last year after a two-week trial. Prosecutors say he met a then-12-year-old girl on the Internet and later they met in person. Delaney took sexually explicit photos of the girl, which he then distributed on the Internet.
In a court filing, Delaney's attorneys said the girl told him she was 18 years old and their relationship ended when he discovered she was lying about her age.
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