Kenji Haley Arrested for Sexually Abusing Children

A 31-year-old man accused of sexually abusing children for years under the guise of dating single mothers has been arrested, Cook County sheriff's police said Saturday.

Kenji Haley had eluded authorities since 2007 when he was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child younger than 10.

The sheriff's department said it recently learned Haley was seeing as many as 10 women with young children in Cook County.

Police arrested Haley Thursday at a home in the 8700 block of South Kingston Avenue.

The department has opened an investigation into Haley regarding possible Chicago-area victims.

Fred Braasch Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse

A Topeka man was sentenced in Mason County Court on Thursday to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to three of the seven sexual abuse charges against him.

Fred Braasch, 54, was originally charged with three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony, and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony, stemming from incidents involving one male minor younger than 13 and two female minors younger than 18 between 1999 and 2000.

As part of a plea bargain offered by Mason County State's Attorney Kristin Miller, two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against Braasch were dismissed.

He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the Class X felony and seven years each for the Class 2 felonies, all of which will be served concurrently. When released, Braasch will be required to pay court costs and fees, register as a sex offender and have no contact with his victims.

Daniel Copeland & Mindy Orlandino Arrested for Child Abuse

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has arrested an Oliver Springs couple, after they were indicted for the abuse of a 4-year-old last month.

Daniel Copeland, 26, stands accused of aggravated child abuse and aggravated sexual battery. His girlfriend, 31-year-old Mindy Orlandino, stands accused of being an accessory after the fact.

The 4-year-old victim was abused on July 25.

Copeland is held on a $100,000 bond. Orlandino's bond is $10,000. They were booked into the Anderson County jail Monday night.

Ronald Preston Sentenced to Life for Sexual Abusing Children

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.

A McLean County judge says a man convicted three times of sexually abusing children will spend the rest of his life in prison.

District Court Judge Charles Reynard sentenced 51-year-old Ronald Preston to two life terms plus 180 years in prison Friday for predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Prosecutors at Preston's trial in June said the most recent victim was abused for about five years -- beginning at age 5 --in the home where Preston and his wife baby-sat children.

Assistant State's Attorney Suzanne Geller said one victim who testified at Preston's trial could not come to court for the sentencing since she had been hospitalized for a suicide attempt.

Preston was earlier convicted of sexually abusing children in 1987 and 1995.

Former Deputy Michael Boulware Charged with Having Sex with Minor

A former Sumter County deputy has now been charged with having sex with an underage girl.

Michael Boulware, 26, has been charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Arrests warrants claim Boulware had sex with a 14-year-old girl near the Wedgefield Community sometime between June 1 and June 30 of this year.

Boulware was arrested earlier this month on three counts of contributing to the deliquency of a minor and three counts of transferring alcohol to a minor.

Deputies say Boulware gave alcohol to three people who were all under the age of seventeen. The claims were first reported on July 16, and Boulware was fired the next day after he was charged.

Boulware was a deputy assigned to the patrol division.

Eduardo Torres-Franco Wanted for Molesting 3-year-old

Eduardo Torres-Franco faced six to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty earlier this month to molesting a 3-year-old girl.

But instead of appearing in a Rolling Meadows courtroom for sentencing Tuesday, the 39-year-old Palatine man skipped the hearing and likely the country.

"I can only assume he's in Mexico," Torres-Franco's private attorney, Steven Goldman, said afterward.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Fecarotta issued a no-bail warrant for Torres-Franco's arrest and set a judgment date for Sept. 1, at which time bond he could be indicted on a bail jumping charge. Torres-Franco, of the 1700 block of Rose Street in Palatine, wasn't in custody because he previously posted 10 percent of his $100,000 bond.

On July 14, Torres-Franco pleaded guilty of criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse for crimes that took place between 1999 and 2001. Prospect Heights police said he admitted to molesting the 3-year-old daughter of a woman he dated at the time. The abuse occurred when Torres-Franco baby-sat the child, prosecutors said.

The victim came forward in February with claims of the abuse.

Goldman said he last spoke with Torres-Franco, who he said was in the U.S. illegally, during the guilty plea. He said he wasn't surprised his client fled.

"I didn't expect him here," Goldman said.

Raymundo Gonzalez Sentenced to 29 Years for Sexual Assault

Raymundo Gonzalez told Judge Daniel Shanes he did not sexually assault a young family acquaintance.

"I am not guilty," Gonzalez said Friday. "That is the only thing I have to say."

But that was not enough to dissuade Shanes from sentencing him to 29 years in prison.

Gonzalez was arrested by Waukegan police in June last year on allegations that he had sex with, and fondled a family acquaintance starting when she was 10 years old and which ended shortly after the girl turned 14.

Gonzalez, 50, of the 600 block of Elmwood Avenue, was found guilty in December on two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, two counts of criminal sexual assault of a child, and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Assistant State's Attorney Jim Newman told the court that Gonzalez "assaulted the pre-teen on a daily basis that caused serious harm to her."

Gonzalez testified during the trial that his confession was forced.

Newman, who said Gonzalez confessed to police that "he had a problem," demanded that the judge remand Gonzalez to prison for 42 years.

"It will deter others from committing these offenses," Newman said. "It will be valuable to the community."

Defense attorney Jed Stone wanted the court to show leniency, considering that Gonzalez had never committed a crime and that he believed the girl concocted the tales of abuse.

"This is scary," Stone said of sending an innocent man to prison. "This abuse never happened."

Gonzalez plans to appeal the decision.

Pastor Kris Lounsbury Charged with Rape

A lay pastor who ran a failed bid to unseat U.S. House of Representatives incumbent Jim Matheson in 2006 made an initial appearance in 5th District Court on Thursday on charges of rape and sexual abuse of a child.

Kris Lounsbury, age 62, of St. George is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of forcible sexual abuse.

Lounsbury ran for the 2nd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives but was defeated by State Representative LaVar Christensen for the Republican nomination to oppose Matheson.

Lounsbury was also the founding pastor of Living Word Christian Fellowship in St. George. He resigned his position as pastor about a year and a half ago, said current pastor John Sullivan.

Lounsbury then became an elder of the church, but stepped down from that position about four weeks ago as a consequence of the allegations, Sullivan said.

"It's a situation that he has repented before the congregation about," Sullivan said.

Sullivan also said Lounsbury is engaged in ongoing counseling with Sullivan and the pastor of another fellowship.

St. George Police Department Officer James Schafer said a complaint was submitted to the Washington County Attorney's Office following allegations on June 19 that three girls were abused by Lounsbury.

"It looks like the charges were enhanced because the suspect was in a position of special trust, which means he was either a relative or in (another) position of special trust with the victim," Schafer said.

A woman who identified herself as the mother of the alleged victims said she confronted Lounsbury after her 15-year-old daughter reported numerous cases of abuse.

The woman said her other daughters told her similar stories and that their friends also said Lounsbury had molested them.

"When my daughter first told me I was skeptical, then when I was talking to my other daughters and they were saying the same thing I was just blown away," the woman said. The Spectrum is not identifying the woman because of her relationship to the alleged victims.

"My main concern is that he is prosecuted correctly and that if there are any more victims out there, that they come forward," she said.

Lounsbury's attorney, Larry Meyers, said the case is still in the early stages.

"We haven't got the discovery yet. Once we get that we'll talk to the prosecutor," Meyers said.

Discovery is the process by which attorneys review evidence gathered to back up the charges against a suspect.

Meyers asked Judge G. Rand Beacham on Thursday to recall a warrant issued against Lounsbury and to allow him to remain out of jail on his own recognizance with an order not to contact the alleged victims, in accordance with an agreement between the defense and the prosecutor for the case.

Meyers said Lounsbury is well known in the community and should not be considered a flight risk.

Beacham accepted the arrangement and set a roll call hearing for Aug. 10.

Update on Officer Robert Sizemore Arrested for Rape

A Chattahoochee police officer arrested Saturday in Georgia on rape and child molestation charges is expected to make his first court appearance Friday, said Maj. Wendell Cofer of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office.

Cofer said Robert Sizemore was arrested on charges of rape, child molestation and aggravated sexual battery. The victim was a juvenile female.

Cofer said Sizemore is currently undergoing medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital. Upon release, Cofer said he will be taken to the Decatur County Jail, unless the jail administrator decides to place him elsewhere because of his status as a former law-enforcement officer.

Cofer said the girl was assaulted Friday night and that she reported it to police the next day. Sizemore was later found at the Jameson Inn in Bainbridge, Ga., where he threatened suicide. Officers were able to talk him into leaving the hotel room peacefully.

A news release from the city of Chattahoochee says Sizemore worked as an officer from Nov. 27, 2008, until the day of his arrest, when he was fired. He worked as a correctional officer with the Florida Department of Corrections from August 2007 until July 2008, and as an officer with the Blountstown Police Department from October 1982 to November 1992.

A Chattahoochee Police officer arrested Saturday in Georgia on rape and child molestation charges has been fired, according to a release from the City of Chattahoochee.

The release states Robert Sizemore, an officer with the Chattahoochee Police Department since Nov. 27, 2008, was arrested on charges of rape, child molestation and aggravated sexual battery by the Decatur County Sheriff's Department following a reported sexual assault by a family member early Saturday morning.

Sizemore was found at the Jameson Inn, 1403 Tallahassee Highway, Bainbridge, Ga., according to the release, and threatened suicide. Chattahoochee Police Chief Vann Pullen came to the scene for assistance by request of DCSO.

The release states Sizemore previously worked as a correctional officer with the Florida Department of Corrections from August 2007 until July 2008, and as an officer with the Blountstown Florida Police Department from October 1982 to November 1992.

Jeffrey Smiley Arrested for Child Molestation

A Spanaway man suspected of child molestation was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with aggravated sexual abuse for assaulting a young girl on federal property, an FBI spokesman said.

Jeffrey Richard Smiley, 36, was taken into custody near Military Road and 12th Avenue Court East in Spanaway by the Pierce County Sheriff's Office and members of the FBI's South Sound Gang Task Force.

Earlier this month, a 7-year-old girl told authorities Smiley had molested her in the woods on the Fort Lewis Military Reservation, FBI spokesman Fred Gutt said. Last week, at two locations in the woods, investigators reported finding camera equipment, children's clothes, toys, mattresses, and sexual paraphernalia.

Investigators also found and impounded Smiley's red 1992 Nissan Maxima, which contained pornographic images of the victim, Gutt said.

Smiley was charged in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.

The federal charge stems from an ongoing FBI investigation into the discovery of possible child pornography production sites on the remote eastern training grounds of Fort Lewis – an area near Spanaway that's accessible to the public – Gutt said.

Aggravated sexual abuse is punishable by a mandatory minimum thirty years imprisonment.

Anyone with additional information about possible victimization of a child is asked to contact the FBI at 206-622-0460 or seattle.fbi@ic.fbi.gov.

Rodney Bramlett Sentenced to Life for Sexually Abusing Child

For the second time this year, a convicted child sex offender was given life in prison.

Rodney Bramlett, 34, was convicted of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a child and Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Bramlett was found guilty of sexually abusing more than one child under the age of 13.

This is the second time in three months that the Winnebago County State's Attorneys Office has sentenced a convicted child sex offender to life in prison. Ronnie Watts was given life for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old.

"Permanently separating convicted sexual predators from society sends a strong message that Winnebago County will not tolerate these crimes," said Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato.

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.

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Anthony Jiron Charged with Sexual Abuse on 7-year-old

An attorney for Anthony Gene Jiron said Wednesday in 5th District Court that his client is ready to proceed to a trial by jury on charges he sexually abused a child in his care.

Jiron entered not guilty pleas to three charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, sodomy on a child and rape of a child on Sept. 16, 2008, and is scheduled for a five-day trial beginning July 27.

Jiron's attorney, Douglas Terry, told Judge James Shumate the case could be given priority for trial but that there is a possibility of negotiating a settlement with the prosecution before the trial date.

Washington County Attorney Brian Filter confirmed that Terry had mentioned the possibility of a resolution but said the case remains on the trial calendar for now.

Shumate gave attorneys until Wednesday to decide if they will be able to resolve the case without a trial.

Jiron is accused of sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl in his care during a week in July 2008.

According to the arrest narrative filed by St. George Police Detective Chris Trani, police were called following an argument between Jiron and another adult about the alleged abuse.

According to the state-ment, Jiron threatened to harm himself with a knife and initially refused police summons to exit the building until he had finished drinking a beer, at which point he allowed himself to be taken into custody.

During an interview with Trani, Jiron admitted sexual behavior with the partially clothed child, the statement said.

However, in an October 2008 letter to the judge, Jiron declared his innocence and said he was intoxicated at the time of his arrest and should not have been questioned in that state and that the alleged victim was already in therapy for sexual abuse at the time of his arrest and that her motives were suspect.

William Dongwoo Suh Arrested for Sexually Assaulting 13-year-old on MySpace

A man arrested last week for investigation of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl he met on MySpace also threatened to harm the girl and kill her friends, according to court documents.

New details about the case came out Thursday when William Dongwoo Suh, 25, was charged in 3rd District Court with four counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child, one count of sodomy on a child and two counts of making terrorist threats.

Suh, who was previously convicted in California for having sex with a minor, met the Utah girl through MySpace. He traveled to Utah in June with the intent of having sex with the girl, according to police.

When Suh arrived, the girl told him she was just 13, according to court documents. Over the next few weeks, the two engaged in various sexual acts, according to police and court documents.

But when the girl tried to back off from the relationship, Suh sent her text messages threatening to find her friends and "slit their throats," and later sent her a text ordering her to perform a sex act "if you want your dad out of jail," and also texting, "… or I'll hurt you," according to court documents.

While being interviewed by police, Suh told investigators that he had looked up the law on the age of consent in Las Vegas and believed the juvenile could consent to sexual activity, court documents stated.

About five years ago, Suh was convicted in California on a similar offense and spent six months in jail, Cottonwood Heights police detective Beau Babka said. In that case, Suh had also threatened a family member of the victim and had a shotgun. He was waiting for that person when police arrived first and arrested him, he said.

When Suh arrived in Utah he had his laptop computer with him. Babka said investigators were going through the computer to see if Suh had chatted with any other young girls and if there were any other potential victims.

Jimmie Joe Olson Arrested for Sexual Abuse of two 7-year-old Girls

A West Valley man faces four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child after prosecutors say he abused two 7-year-old girls.

Jimmie Joe Olson, 20, was charged in 3rd District Court Thursday with the four counts, all first-degree felonies, as well as one count of sodomy upon a child and one count of rape of a child, which are both first-degree felonies as well.

The charges say that the girls said that on or about May 30, Olson pulled down his pants and underwear and made both of them touch his genitals. They both say that on that same day he touched their genitals as well, according to the charges.

Olson told police that he played a "truth or dare game" with the two girls and that they dared him to pull down his pants, the charges said.

Olson was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Wednesday. His bail has been set at $150,000.

Edgar Mendiola Arrested for Sexual Abuse

Police announced Thursday that Highway Patrol Troopers in Davis County have arrested a man who was being investigated by Logan police for allegedly sexually abusing a girl younger than 13 in Logan over the past year.

Edgar Mendiola, 37, is in custody at the Davis County Jail and being held on six first-degree felony charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

Logan Police Lt. Rod Peterson said detectives began investigating Mendiola when the alleged victim informed someone who passed the information onto police detectives. Detectives were reluctant to give additional information to protect the identity of any victims. The Herald Journal also withholds information that could likewise identify possible victims of sexual abuse.

Charges against the suspect were filed in 1st District Court on Tuesday. Mendiola is scheduled to appear before Judge Thomas Willmore sometime next week.

Peterson said an arrest warrant was filed into the nationwide National Crime Information Center, operated by the FBI, in conjunction with the case.

“The Utah Highway Patrol made a traffic stop on him and arrested him,” he said. “The detectives that were working the case had probable cause to believe that there were a minimum of six separate incidents.”

Court records show Mendiola has no previous criminal convictions.

Carol Ricker Arrested for Child Rape

A Logan woman is behind bars and charged with 12 first-degree felony counts of rape, sodomy and aggravated sex abuse of a child.

Police arrested Carol A. Ricker, 46, at her home at 530 West Center St. Thursday after a months-long investigation.

Ricker was booked in the Cache County jail on four counts of rape of a child, four counts of sodomy on a child and four counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child.

Ricker’s bail is set at $240,000.

Edger Mendiola Arrested for Sex Abuse

A Logan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of six counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child after the man's alleged victim reported her accusation to police.

Logan Police Lt. Rod Peterson said Edger Mendiola, 37, was booked into the Davis County Jail after a girl under the age of 13 called police about him.

Though he is a resident of Cache County, Mendiola was booked into the Davis County Jail because that was where the arrest took place.

Peterson said the investigation was ongoing, and police became concerned Mendiola was made aware of it. When he was arrested, Peterson said, they believed he was attempting to flee, as he was heading south on Interstate 15. That put him in Davis County at the time of the arrest.

Darrin Shipley Arrested for Sexually Assaulting 4-year-old

PEKIN, Ill.

A Pekin man was charged Friday in 10th Judicial Circuit Court with sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl.

Darrin S. Shipley, 42, of 208 Parkway Drive, Pekin, was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony.

According to court records, the victim told her mother on June 2 that the man had been showing her pornographic pictures on the Internet on May 22. The mother had noticed her daughter exhibiting strange behavior. The child’s brothers, ages 6 and 8, told their mother that they had seen the man assault the child.

The child was interviewed at the Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center where she showed what had happened to her with an anatomically correct doll, court records said.

One of the victim’s brothers was also interviewed at the advocacy center. He said he saw the man show the pornography to the victim and sexually assaulting her.

Shipley denied the allegations when interviewed by Pekin police, but stated that the girl is “trustworthy and a 4-year-old would not just make this up.”

Shipley was arrested and taken to the Tazewell County Justice Center where he remains under a $250,000 bond.

Casey Todd Arrested for Molesting & Battering His 2-month-old Baby

The Carroll County Sheriff Office says a 2-month old baby who was sexually molested and battered by her father, has been released from the hospital. Chief Deputy Brad Robinson says "The baby is expected to make a full recovery." Robinson says the baby is in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services.

The baby suffered a fractured skull and a broken leg. Casey Todd, 27, of Carroll County was charged with Aggravated Child Molestation, Aggravated Battery and First Degree Child Cruelty. He was arrested on June 15th. Six days prior to the alleged abuse, the baby's mother talked about her concerns for how her husband was treating the baby on-line.

On momslikeme.com, the baby's mother expressed her concerns about her daughter's well-being. Atlanta's Momslikeme.com web site is owned and run by 11Alive's parent company Gannett.

We are not identifying the mother or her daughter for their protection.

On June 9th the mother wrote: "Help me please my daughter is not even two months and she's has already had little bruises on her arms and legs and back. Her daddy is really rough with her. And every time he picks her up she screams and don't stop."

"I've talked to him and told him if I seen one more bruise on her he's gone and he's doing much better with her, but she still screams, I still think he hurts her but I don't see anything."

But one day later the mother backed off the serious nature of her first post and wrote: "Well I think he's just a little rough with her. There not like blue or black bruises but there little red ones. I know he's not doing it on purpose."

"I asked the doctor if she bruises easy and she said its possible."

"Thanks for everything everybody I really appreciate it."

The Carroll County Sheriff Office says Todd's own mother questioned how her son treated his daughter, but said she never would have expected what allegedly happened.

On the same day the baby's mother posted her concerns, she also entered her husband into a photo contest on the moms like me website. The baby's mother posted a picture of Todd holding his baby daughter. The mother called him "The greatest dad ever."