An 18-year-old Las Vegas man will face a judge Friday, two days after he turned himself in to police to face charges of murder by child abuse.
Jocquise Coleman disappeared after his girlfriend’s baby, 16-month-old Lamaj Terry, was rushed to a hospital with severe injuries that doctors determined were the result of “definite physical abuse.”
Coleman’s girlfriend, Brittany Terry, said she had left the child in his custody several times while she went to work. She told police she noticed some bruises on the boy days before his death, but Coleman insisted the child hurt himself playing.
“You never think it could happen in your own back yard,” a neighbor, Tanisha, saed. “It does make you think twice about who you’re going to trust [with your kids].”
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Previous Stories:
September 23, 2009: Police Arrest Accused Child Killer
Showing posts with label Nevada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nevada. Show all posts
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
David Burgess Sentenced to 15 years for Child Porn
A former Nevada brothel owner has lost his appeal of his convictions and 15-year prison sentence on federal charges of possessing and transporting child pornography.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver last week affirmed the convictions of David Burgess, a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle group.
Burgess was convicted and sentenced in federal court in Wyoming last year. Prosecutors say investigators found a vast collection of child porn on two hard drives they confiscated from Burgess' motorhome during a traffic stop in western Wyoming two years ago.
Burgess was a charter member of a Nevada chapter of the Hells Angels and was the owner of the Old Bridge Ranch, a legal brothel near Reno, Nev.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver last week affirmed the convictions of David Burgess, a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle group.
Burgess was convicted and sentenced in federal court in Wyoming last year. Prosecutors say investigators found a vast collection of child porn on two hard drives they confiscated from Burgess' motorhome during a traffic stop in western Wyoming two years ago.
Burgess was a charter member of a Nevada chapter of the Hells Angels and was the owner of the Old Bridge Ranch, a legal brothel near Reno, Nev.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Carl Blake Charged with Sexual Assault
A Pahrump man is in custody facing two dozen criminal charges including sexual assault, child abuse, and lewdness with a minor.
Nye County Sheriff's officials say 35-year-old Carl Blake is being held on more than $123,000 bail. He was arrested this week after police got reports that he was sexually assaulting several young children.
In all, Blake is charged with 12 counts of sexual assault, seven counts of child abuse, and one count each of domestic battery with a deadly weapon, open and gross lewdness, ex-felon in possession of a firearm, lewdness with a minor under age 14 and child sexual abuse.
Nye County Sheriff's officials say 35-year-old Carl Blake is being held on more than $123,000 bail. He was arrested this week after police got reports that he was sexually assaulting several young children.
In all, Blake is charged with 12 counts of sexual assault, seven counts of child abuse, and one count each of domestic battery with a deadly weapon, open and gross lewdness, ex-felon in possession of a firearm, lewdness with a minor under age 14 and child sexual abuse.
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Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Brad Rocklin Montgomery Sentenced to Life for Sexual Assault
A Fallon man accused of sexual assault and unlawful use of a minor to produce pornography and lewdness with children will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Brad Rocklin Montgomery, 54, showed little emotion on Tuesday as Judge Will Rogers imposed the sentences that will run consecutively.
Montgomery had pleaded guilty to 10 charges of lewdness with a child under the age of 14, five counts of unlawful use of a minor less than 14 years of age in producing pornography or as a subject of sex portrayal in performance and one charge of sexual assault on a child under the age of 14.
Of the 10 charges of lewdness with a child under the age of 14, Montgomery was sentenced four to 10 years in prison on six of them and life in prison with a possibility of parole after 10 years on the other four charges.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills mentioned the different sentence ranges were the result of when the crimes were committed. The Nevada Legislature changed the sentence ranges in 1996-97 for this crime.
On the charges of producing pornography or as a subject of sex portrayal in performance, Montgomery received life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years on each count, and on the sexual assault on a child under the age of 14, he was sent to prison for life with the possibility of parole after 35 years.
Montgomery's sister, Connie Barrier said her brother came from “good stock” with high Christian principles.
She told the court Montgomery has potential and asked for leniency.
“He has never been in trouble with the law before,” she said. “He is a good person.”
Mills attacked Barrier's claim that her brother came from good stock, and he asked if she was aware Montgomery said he was molested as a child from their father.
After she said she was not aware of it, Mills asked her if she believed her brother was a “liar.” She said she did not think so.
Mills said the case arose after a child had the courage to report what allegedly had been happening to him. When Montgomery was arrested in New Mexico, Mills said he had a hard drive computer drive with “vile, reprehensible material.”
“You only have to look at this for a second,” Mills said of the material seized from the defendant.
In 1996 and 1997 Montgomery was accused of video taping children as they exited school buses. Also recovered was a photo of a simulated sexual act with a stuffed pig and videos, including one titled “Toy.”
“When you look at this, this man deserves every consecutive (life) sentence allowed by law,” Mills said. “This is a signal to send to the world at large. He was one click away from sending this material to other perverts in the world.
He also said a photo was recovered of a boy wearing a baseball uniform which was the same team Montgomery coached in the Fallon Youth Baseball league years ago.
“This is a man with absolutely no remorse and blames the child,” Mills added. “He is evil. The message is pedophiles and perverts like Montgomery cannot do this to children. Throw the book at Mr. Montgomery.”
Public Defender Chet Kafchinski said he does not know if his client ever had a chance to succeed in life.
“He's never had been given the opportunity to grow as an adult,” he said.
Montgomery said he has looked back and researched his life to determine why he had these problems and committed certain acts.
Rogers said the court finds this to be one of the most serious cases because perpetrators like Montgomery are dooming children.
“I don't believe that as a society we can look away from that,” he said. “At this juncture sir, your life or whatever is left of it, will be spent in the department of corrections. I don't care about you. I do care about the people in the community.”
Brad Rocklin Montgomery, 54, showed little emotion on Tuesday as Judge Will Rogers imposed the sentences that will run consecutively.
Montgomery had pleaded guilty to 10 charges of lewdness with a child under the age of 14, five counts of unlawful use of a minor less than 14 years of age in producing pornography or as a subject of sex portrayal in performance and one charge of sexual assault on a child under the age of 14.
Of the 10 charges of lewdness with a child under the age of 14, Montgomery was sentenced four to 10 years in prison on six of them and life in prison with a possibility of parole after 10 years on the other four charges.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills mentioned the different sentence ranges were the result of when the crimes were committed. The Nevada Legislature changed the sentence ranges in 1996-97 for this crime.
On the charges of producing pornography or as a subject of sex portrayal in performance, Montgomery received life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years on each count, and on the sexual assault on a child under the age of 14, he was sent to prison for life with the possibility of parole after 35 years.
Montgomery's sister, Connie Barrier said her brother came from “good stock” with high Christian principles.
She told the court Montgomery has potential and asked for leniency.
“He has never been in trouble with the law before,” she said. “He is a good person.”
Mills attacked Barrier's claim that her brother came from good stock, and he asked if she was aware Montgomery said he was molested as a child from their father.
After she said she was not aware of it, Mills asked her if she believed her brother was a “liar.” She said she did not think so.
Mills said the case arose after a child had the courage to report what allegedly had been happening to him. When Montgomery was arrested in New Mexico, Mills said he had a hard drive computer drive with “vile, reprehensible material.”
“You only have to look at this for a second,” Mills said of the material seized from the defendant.
In 1996 and 1997 Montgomery was accused of video taping children as they exited school buses. Also recovered was a photo of a simulated sexual act with a stuffed pig and videos, including one titled “Toy.”
“When you look at this, this man deserves every consecutive (life) sentence allowed by law,” Mills said. “This is a signal to send to the world at large. He was one click away from sending this material to other perverts in the world.
He also said a photo was recovered of a boy wearing a baseball uniform which was the same team Montgomery coached in the Fallon Youth Baseball league years ago.
“This is a man with absolutely no remorse and blames the child,” Mills added. “He is evil. The message is pedophiles and perverts like Montgomery cannot do this to children. Throw the book at Mr. Montgomery.”
Public Defender Chet Kafchinski said he does not know if his client ever had a chance to succeed in life.
“He's never had been given the opportunity to grow as an adult,” he said.
Montgomery said he has looked back and researched his life to determine why he had these problems and committed certain acts.
Rogers said the court finds this to be one of the most serious cases because perpetrators like Montgomery are dooming children.
“I don't believe that as a society we can look away from that,” he said. “At this juncture sir, your life or whatever is left of it, will be spent in the department of corrections. I don't care about you. I do care about the people in the community.”
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Edwin Sevrence Guilty of Sexual Assault on 8-year-old
After deliberating for about four hours, a Washoe County jury, for a second time, found a Reno man guilty of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl, whom he allegedly had “groomed” to be his sexual playmate.
Washoe District Judge Steven Elliott ordered Edwin Sevrence to return to court on Sept. 10 to be sentenced on the two counts: sexual assault of a child under 14, and lewdness with a child.
He could face a maximum of life in prison on the charges.
Sevrence was convicted in 2005 on the same charges, but appealed the conviction. Last year, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled Elliott should have called a mistrial after it was learned that a juror had connections to Sevrence’s parental rights case, and ordered a new trial.
His new trial started last week, and ended with closing arguments late Wednesday.
Deputy District Attorney Kelli Ann Viloria said she was thrilled.
“I’m pleased the jury came to what I believe was a proper verdict,” she said. “This was about the children -- the girl and her siblings. They deserved to be believed.”
“Hopefully now they can move ahead.”
Sevrence’s lawyer, Roger Whomes, said they respect the jury’s decision, but said he would likely appeal again.
The girl, now 14, testified that Sevrence would take her into his bed at night, and use a lubricant as he touched her inappropriately. She also said he made her fondle him once while they were in the bathroom together, and made her show her private parts to her brothers.
Whomes argued that there were inconsistencies in her statements, and told the jury that the findings of a sexual assault nurse with the Child Abuse Response & Evaluations, or CARES program were later found to be incorrect.
But the jury found in favor of the child and Viloria.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Bianca Razo-Pina & Efren Chavez Charged with Child Neglect
A Pahrump teenager and her 24-year-old boyfriend were arrested after their 2-month-old daughter suffered cardiac arrest and was rushed to a hospital.
Police charged Bianca Razo-Pina, 18, and Efren Chavez with child neglect. They are being held in the Nye County Detention Center.
Doctors at Desert View Hospital had the girl flown via air ambulance to Sunrise Medical Center in Las Vegas. She is in critical condition with extensive brain injuries. Police said the child also had numerous bruises and other injuries to her body.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Bus Driver Richard Dean Stephen Charged with Sexual Assault to a 5-year-old
A Clark County School District bus driver charged with the sexual assault of a 5-year-old girl tentatively agreed today to plead guilty to two lesser charges of attempted lewdness with a minor.
Richard Dean Stephen of North Las Vegas was arrested June 16 and booked on 10 counts relating to lewdness with a minor under the age of 14 and sexual assault.
At Stephen’s preliminary hearing in North Las Vegas Justice Court today, his attorney, William Terry, said he would enter the guilty plea when he is arraigned in District Court. That hearing is scheduled for July 29.
Stephen, 63, faces up to 40 years in prison for the two charges. He is being held in the Clark County Detention Center on $80,000 bond.
The North Las Vegas Police Department received a report on May 19 that a girl had been molested numerous times at her home, police said.
Although Stephen drove elementary school children, the alleged 5-year-old victim is not a student, police said. Stephen rented his North Las Vegas house on Van Der Meer Street to the girl's mother. He also lived there.
At today’s hearing, prosecutor Mary Kay Holthus said the police investigation found that Stephen had been warned by the school district for allegedly touching children on two separate occasions. According to the detective’s report, Stephen’s supervisor told police that she was conducting an internal investigation because “several students” alleged that he touched their arms, faces and shoulders on the bus.
Terry said during the hearing that no charges have been filed regarding those reports and there were no allegations that the touching was of a sexual nature. Terry declined to comment to the media.
A spokesman for the school district said he could not confirm the reports because it’s against policy to discuss employee disciplinary matters. In general, employees are advised not to initiate contact with students. Stephen was hired in August 2007 and he is still employed with the school district.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Benito Catello Charged with Sexual Assault
A 75-year-old self-proclaimed prophet and church leader from Las Vegas was arrested Friday on multiple charges of sex crimes against children, Metro Police said.
Benito Catello is charged with 29 felonies, including sexual assault, sexual assault with a victim under 14 years of age and lewdness with a minor under 14 years of age.
Catello, who police described as a self-proclaimed “prophet” and leader of The Ministry, a church run out of his home near Owens Avenue and Mount Hood Street in northeast Las Vegas, is being held on bail of $295,000, according to Clark County Detention Center records.
A 48-hour hearing is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about Benito -- including other possible victims -- to contact the Metro Crimes Against Youth and Family Bureau at 828-3421. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.
Catello is described as white, 5-foot-5 and 155 pounds with gray hair and blue eyes. Police said in recent years he might no longer wear the beard shown in his mug shot, which authorities said isn’t a recent photo.
Investigators said they weren’t releasing other details Friday but planned to discuss the case on Monday.
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Other Information: http://www.lvrj.com/news/49923097.html
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Former Teacher Charles Rogers Arrested on 76 Counts of Sexual Assault
Former Garrett Junior High School teacher Charles Richard Rogers pleaded not guilty today in District Court to 76 counts of sexual assault of a minor, lewdness with a child, use of a child in pornography and possession of child pornography.
In a small basement courtroom in the Regional Justice Center, Rogers, 46, appeared behind a glass wall in a jail jumpsuit and glasses and told District Judge Kevin Williams that he had a copy of the indictment against him and that he pleaded not guilty to all 76 charges.
Rogers, who remains in the Clark County Detention Center on $1.3 million bail, was arrested March 26 after police received a computer storage device containing child pornography that allegedly had come from his home.
The indictment lists incidents from 1999 through 2009 and names seven victims. It also notes that the identities of several children appearing in the pornography are unknown.
The indictment included two counts of sexual assault of a minor, four counts of use of a minor in pornography, 17 counts of lewdness with a child under 14, 50 counts of possession of child pornography, one count of open and gross lewdness, one count of attempted lewdness with a minor under 14 and one count of child abuse and neglect.
Six family members and friends attended the 20-minute hearing, and Rogers exchanged looks with them as his attorney, Bill Terry, spoke to the judge about hearing dates and procedures.
Rogers, who has diabetes and is a kidney transplant patient, did not look healthy, Terry said after the hearing. He added that he was glad to see that the Clark County jail had allowed his glasses to be delivered to him. The glasses had been an issue Terry brought up in earlier hearings before Boulder City Justice of the Peace Victor Lee Miller.
Rogers is set to appear before District Judge Michael Villani at 8 a.m. July 13 to set a trial date. Terry asked for the hearing date to allow time to ensure the grand jury transcripts are completed, he said.
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http://www.lasvegassun.com/photos/galleries/2009/jul/02/charles-richard-rick-rogers-arraignment/
Monday, June 29, 2009
Substitute Teacher Aaron Ringewold Arrested for Possession of Child Porn
A Clark County School District substitute teacher was arrested by Henderson police and charged with possession of child pornography.
Aaron Ringewold, described by police as a “long-term” substitute, worked at O’Callaghan Middle School.
Detectives said Ringewold was downloading child pornography onto his computer, but none of the images were of past or present students.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Emanuel Dewayne Dodson Wanted for Killing 2-year-old
Las Vegas police say they are searching for a 28-year-old man suspected of abusing and killing his girlfriend's 2-year-old child.
Authorities said Monday that officers found the child dead Sunday morning in a neighborhood east of the Las Vegas Strip after the child's mother called authorities.
Police say the mother described her child as unresponsive when she called.
Authorities say they believe Emanuel Dewayne Dodson may have gone to the Los Angeles area, where he is from.
Monday, June 15, 2009
William Marshall Charged with Sexually Assaulting & Murdering Toddler
According to Metro Police, the toddler found dead in a dumpster last week was sexually assaulted and murdered. William Marshall has been charged in the crime. He is the boyfriend of the child's mother.
The police report spells out horrific acts of abuse. The attack against the baby was very violent.
According to police documents, Marshall was babysitting Shia but something went horribly wrong. Inside apartment 67, detectives found two divots in the drywall of the bedroom that appear to be the size of a toddler's head. They also found hair similar to the toddler's inside the apartment's empty freezer.
The coroner found evidence that Shia was also sexually assaulted.
"They're defenseless. This kid couldn't defend herself against a guy that's 230 pounds. That's unfortunate," said Metro Lt. Lew Roberts.
The FBI tracked both Marshall and the baby's mother, Darrean Williams, to Phoenix Saturday night. They were together, but police say the mom apparently had no idea her daughter had been killed until the authorities came knocking. "It is our belief that, at that point is when she actually found out what the fate of the child was," said Lt. Roberts.
According to the report, a family member told police that Williams is a prostitute who works in the Phoenix area. She left Shia with Marshall to "earn money" in Phoenix.
For now, the crime has left the community shocked and saddened. "I wouldn't think of doing nothing like that to defenseless children, and I think it's just horrible and I think they should be brought to justice," said neighbor Lekeshia Holloman.
For now, Williams has not been charged, but may face other charges of as child endangerment or neglect.
Friday, June 12, 2009
William McCaffrey Arrested for Child Porn
A local man who helps save lives may have had a dark side. 51-year-old ER nurse, William McCaffrey of Sparks, is in jail after detectives raided his home and found up to one million pieces of child pornography.
Washoe County Sheriff's Detectives downloaded the porn over the Internet on Tuesday from McCaffrey's home computer. After his arrest, they found that his child porn collection was bigger than they thought, and he may have had plans to expand it even further.
Described as a 'friendly guy who likes to keep to himself,' neighbors of 51-year-old William McCaffrey say they never suspected a thing.
"Not in a hundred years. You just don't think of things like that. I'd see him in the mornings heading home from work and he'd wave. There was no sign of it," said Marcia Jenkins who lives next door.
Court documents show McCaffrey lived at a home on Capurro Way In Sparks, and worked in the emergency room at Saint Mary's hospital. Neighbors say he shared the home with his brother and his handicapped mom.
Detectives say evidence taken from McCaffrey's home included images and videos of little girls as young as three years old engaged in sexual acts with adult men.
"There are kids here, there, running back and forth everyday. I never saw the guy looking at them or anything, so I thought everything was as normal as could be," said Marcia's husband, Johnny Jenkins.
Detectives who interviewed McCaffrey say he had become 'desensitized', and had been increasingly interested in looking at child porn. They say he'd also been copying the photos to DVD's and hard drives, and may have had plans for distribution.
McCaffrey described himself as an amateur photographer, and when detectives asked if he'd consider contacting children himself, he said, quote: "I can't predict the future."
Neighbor Rafael Vasquez says he's disturbed to hear that his six-and-nine year old daughters have been walking past McCaffrey's home for months. His little girls mean the world to him, and he says it's a good thing McCaffrey didn't touch them.
"Well you'd be interviewing me from a jail cell because he'd be a dead man," said Vasquez.
McCaffrey faces five counts of possession of child pornography, plus one count of promotion of the sexual performance of a minor. He's being held in the Washoe County Jail on $75,000 dollars bail. A phone message left at McCaffrey's home number, was not immediately returned.
Detectives say there could be more charges filed in the future. McCaffrey's computer files and other evidence is still being sorted through, but they're hoping the public might know more. If you have any information that could help in the investigation, contact Secret Witness at 322-4900.
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http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/47954946.html
Washoe County Sheriff's Detectives downloaded the porn over the Internet on Tuesday from McCaffrey's home computer. After his arrest, they found that his child porn collection was bigger than they thought, and he may have had plans to expand it even further.
Described as a 'friendly guy who likes to keep to himself,' neighbors of 51-year-old William McCaffrey say they never suspected a thing.
"Not in a hundred years. You just don't think of things like that. I'd see him in the mornings heading home from work and he'd wave. There was no sign of it," said Marcia Jenkins who lives next door.
Court documents show McCaffrey lived at a home on Capurro Way In Sparks, and worked in the emergency room at Saint Mary's hospital. Neighbors say he shared the home with his brother and his handicapped mom.
Detectives say evidence taken from McCaffrey's home included images and videos of little girls as young as three years old engaged in sexual acts with adult men.
"There are kids here, there, running back and forth everyday. I never saw the guy looking at them or anything, so I thought everything was as normal as could be," said Marcia's husband, Johnny Jenkins.
Detectives who interviewed McCaffrey say he had become 'desensitized', and had been increasingly interested in looking at child porn. They say he'd also been copying the photos to DVD's and hard drives, and may have had plans for distribution.
McCaffrey described himself as an amateur photographer, and when detectives asked if he'd consider contacting children himself, he said, quote: "I can't predict the future."
Neighbor Rafael Vasquez says he's disturbed to hear that his six-and-nine year old daughters have been walking past McCaffrey's home for months. His little girls mean the world to him, and he says it's a good thing McCaffrey didn't touch them.
"Well you'd be interviewing me from a jail cell because he'd be a dead man," said Vasquez.
McCaffrey faces five counts of possession of child pornography, plus one count of promotion of the sexual performance of a minor. He's being held in the Washoe County Jail on $75,000 dollars bail. A phone message left at McCaffrey's home number, was not immediately returned.
Detectives say there could be more charges filed in the future. McCaffrey's computer files and other evidence is still being sorted through, but they're hoping the public might know more. If you have any information that could help in the investigation, contact Secret Witness at 322-4900.
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http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/47954946.html
Monday, June 8, 2009
Michael Kolkman Charged with Attempted Sexual Abuse
A young boy who may have thought he was going to the circus, was instead enticed by a sex offender.
Reno police officers arrested a convicted child predator Sunday night, after he approached the boy at the Circus Circus casino. Investigators say 43-year-old Michael Kolkman is also wanted by law enforcement in Alaska on charges of attempted sexual abuse.
Statistically, it's not all that out of the ordinary to find a sex offender living downtown. Currently, hundreds of registered sex offenders have addresses within just blocks of downtown, plus more than 1,700 sex offenders in our area are un-registered and out-of-compliance, meaning, no one is really sure what they're up to.
Danny and Kathy Kennedy manage the Shamrock Inn across the street from Circus Circus, which is where police arrested Kolkman on felony warrant charges. The Kennedy's say when Kolkman came in to get a room, they had no idea he was dangerous.
"He was a nice fellow, nothing out of the ordinary," said Kathy.
Detectives say Kolkman bought the young boy a soda, made a few inappropriate comments to him, and then followed him through the casino. Luckily, the boy told his parents, and police were soon on Kolkman's trail.
Kathy says frankly, she's surprised this case is getting so much attention since this isn't the first time a sex offender has checked into her hotel. In fact, she says it's the fifth time in just five years.
"Sex offenders do come in. Unfortunately, they don't come in with tattoos or neon signs on their faces, so you don't know. They look like you or I. They just look like average people," she said.
Kathy's husband says if people are now worried about bringing their young children downtown, he thinks sex offenders should be the least of their concerns. Danny says he sleeps with one eye open, listening for trouble in the neighborhood, including, drunks, drug dealers and hookers.
Over the years, he says his life has been threatened more times than he can count. Most recently, a man pulled a knife on him after he told him to leave the property. He says the man was in the act of urinating on the hotel's wall.
"I've had a baseball bat pulled on me., a crowbar that someone got out of their trunk, a beer bottle, you name it," said Danny.
The Kennedy's say Circus Circus is not to blame, but that dangerous people and situations lurk in nearly every corner of the downtown area near Center Street. And they say no amount of redevelopment money, street lights, or fancy signs will change that.
"Downtown is not safe. That's what I got to say about it. It's not safe," said Danny.
As far as the young boy at Circus Circus goes, he wasn't harmed. The casino managers say he did everything right, as did their security guards. As a rule, minors are never allowed on the casino floor, and when they are spending time on the midway or elsewhere in the casino, their security staff is always watching for strange behavior--or in this case, suspicious people.
Kolkman is being held on more than $50,000 bail for annoying and molesting a minor and for failing to register as a sex offender. He'll also be forced to face the sexual abuse charges out of Alaska. Police believe he'd been staying in our area since June 4th.
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Information: http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/47241037.html
Reno police officers arrested a convicted child predator Sunday night, after he approached the boy at the Circus Circus casino. Investigators say 43-year-old Michael Kolkman is also wanted by law enforcement in Alaska on charges of attempted sexual abuse.
Statistically, it's not all that out of the ordinary to find a sex offender living downtown. Currently, hundreds of registered sex offenders have addresses within just blocks of downtown, plus more than 1,700 sex offenders in our area are un-registered and out-of-compliance, meaning, no one is really sure what they're up to.
Danny and Kathy Kennedy manage the Shamrock Inn across the street from Circus Circus, which is where police arrested Kolkman on felony warrant charges. The Kennedy's say when Kolkman came in to get a room, they had no idea he was dangerous.
"He was a nice fellow, nothing out of the ordinary," said Kathy.
Detectives say Kolkman bought the young boy a soda, made a few inappropriate comments to him, and then followed him through the casino. Luckily, the boy told his parents, and police were soon on Kolkman's trail.
Kathy says frankly, she's surprised this case is getting so much attention since this isn't the first time a sex offender has checked into her hotel. In fact, she says it's the fifth time in just five years.
"Sex offenders do come in. Unfortunately, they don't come in with tattoos or neon signs on their faces, so you don't know. They look like you or I. They just look like average people," she said.
Kathy's husband says if people are now worried about bringing their young children downtown, he thinks sex offenders should be the least of their concerns. Danny says he sleeps with one eye open, listening for trouble in the neighborhood, including, drunks, drug dealers and hookers.
Over the years, he says his life has been threatened more times than he can count. Most recently, a man pulled a knife on him after he told him to leave the property. He says the man was in the act of urinating on the hotel's wall.
"I've had a baseball bat pulled on me., a crowbar that someone got out of their trunk, a beer bottle, you name it," said Danny.
The Kennedy's say Circus Circus is not to blame, but that dangerous people and situations lurk in nearly every corner of the downtown area near Center Street. And they say no amount of redevelopment money, street lights, or fancy signs will change that.
"Downtown is not safe. That's what I got to say about it. It's not safe," said Danny.
As far as the young boy at Circus Circus goes, he wasn't harmed. The casino managers say he did everything right, as did their security guards. As a rule, minors are never allowed on the casino floor, and when they are spending time on the midway or elsewhere in the casino, their security staff is always watching for strange behavior--or in this case, suspicious people.
Kolkman is being held on more than $50,000 bail for annoying and molesting a minor and for failing to register as a sex offender. He'll also be forced to face the sexual abuse charges out of Alaska. Police believe he'd been staying in our area since June 4th.
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Information: http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/47241037.html
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