Authorities arrested an Albertville man for allegedly sexually abusing a child.
Albertville police arrested Bobby Lee Holloway, 55, Lazy Creek Circle, at 11:47 a.m. Monday and charged him with sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12, said APD spokesman Sgt. Jamie Smith.
Holloway was transferred to the Marshall County Jail under a $20,000 bond, Smith said.
“Holloway was taken into custody on the charge after a lengthy investigation by Chief Detective J.T. Cartee,” Smith said, citing the police report. “The investigation has also uncovered more past incidents, which are also under investigation at this time.”
Smith said the charge is for one victim.
“However, we are still investigating some other possibilities with other victims,” he said.
Showing posts with label sexual abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sexual abuse. Show all posts
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Fannie Schwartz Charged with Endangering Welfare of child
The wife of a man charged with sexually abusing two young girls, is now also charged in the case.
Prosecutors today charged Fannie J. Schwartz, 47, of Seymour, with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Late last week, Johnny Schwartz (right) was charged with statutory sodomy and first degree child molestation, for incidents that allegedly happened over an eight year period ending in June 2008.
Now prosecutors accused Fannie Schwartz of allowing her husband to have sexual contact with the girls.
Court documents say the girls were 6 and 14 when the abuse began.
Prosecutors today charged Fannie J. Schwartz, 47, of Seymour, with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Late last week, Johnny Schwartz (right) was charged with statutory sodomy and first degree child molestation, for incidents that allegedly happened over an eight year period ending in June 2008.
Now prosecutors accused Fannie Schwartz of allowing her husband to have sexual contact with the girls.
Court documents say the girls were 6 and 14 when the abuse began.
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Monday, October 5, 2009
Coy Fields Sentenced 2 to 15 Years for Sexually Abusing 6-year-old
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.”
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.”
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Michael Barnes Accused of Sexual Abuse
A former Catholic priest from North Carolina has been accused of sexually abusing a child in Ocean City more than 30 years ago.
Ocean City police say 64-year-old Michael Barnes of Haywood, N.C., has been arrested in his home state and is being held there. Police say they got a complaint about the abuse this spring and that the incidents took place between 1977 and 1982.
A Baltimore County man in his 40s filed a lawsuit against Barnes in Delaware in June. David Lorenz, a spokesman for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, says the criminal charges relate to the same alleged victim.
Lorenz says Barnes abused the victim during trips to Ocean City and beaches in Delaware. He says he believes there are other victims.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore says Barnes was the associate pastor of an Essex parish during the time of the alleged abuse and that he left the priesthood in 1988.
Ocean City police say 64-year-old Michael Barnes of Haywood, N.C., has been arrested in his home state and is being held there. Police say they got a complaint about the abuse this spring and that the incidents took place between 1977 and 1982.
A Baltimore County man in his 40s filed a lawsuit against Barnes in Delaware in June. David Lorenz, a spokesman for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, says the criminal charges relate to the same alleged victim.
Lorenz says Barnes abused the victim during trips to Ocean City and beaches in Delaware. He says he believes there are other victims.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore says Barnes was the associate pastor of an Essex parish during the time of the alleged abuse and that he left the priesthood in 1988.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wendy Cannin Arrested for Having Sexual Contact with Teens
It was the first day of school in Heppner today, but instead of spending it in the classroom, a junior/senior high teacher spent it in jail.
Wendy Cannin, 30, was arrested at 11 a.m. when Morrow County sheriff’s detectives arrived at her Heppner home, authorities said.
Cannin, a teacher in the Morrow County School District for two years, had been put on leave last week after officials learned about the sheriff’s office’s investigation.
Cannin is accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with two teenage boys, the sheriff’s office said.
The sexual activity allegedly occurred before the end of the last school year and continued during the summer until the middle of July.
The sexual contact occurred both on and off school property, authorities said.
Cannin was booked into the Umatilla County jail on suspicion of one count of sexual misconduct, four counts of third-degree sex abuse, and one count each of third-degree rape and third-degree sodomy.
A grand jury is expected to hear the allegations against Cannin tomorrow.
Wendy Cannin, 30, was arrested at 11 a.m. when Morrow County sheriff’s detectives arrived at her Heppner home, authorities said.
Cannin, a teacher in the Morrow County School District for two years, had been put on leave last week after officials learned about the sheriff’s office’s investigation.
Cannin is accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with two teenage boys, the sheriff’s office said.
The sexual activity allegedly occurred before the end of the last school year and continued during the summer until the middle of July.
The sexual contact occurred both on and off school property, authorities said.
Cannin was booked into the Umatilla County jail on suspicion of one count of sexual misconduct, four counts of third-degree sex abuse, and one count each of third-degree rape and third-degree sodomy.
A grand jury is expected to hear the allegations against Cannin tomorrow.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Officer Aaron Pepion Arrested for Having Sex with Young Girl
A Blackfeet police officer who resigned three weeks ago has been arrested on allegations that he had sex with a young girl.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says Aaron Pepion is being held without bail. Pepion was in court before a magistrate Wednesday in Missoula and will be in court again Friday on a bond hearing.
Prosecutors say Pepion had sex in April with a girl who was born in 1994. No age was listed for Pepion in his charging documents.
Blackfeet Tribal Department of Public Safety Director Henry Devereaux says the FBI investigated Pepion in July and he resigned three weeks ago. Devereaux says Pepion had been an officer for about a year when officials began investigating the allegations against him.
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http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2009/08/officer-aaron-pepion-arrested-for.html
The U.S. Attorney's Office says Aaron Pepion is being held without bail. Pepion was in court before a magistrate Wednesday in Missoula and will be in court again Friday on a bond hearing.
Prosecutors say Pepion had sex in April with a girl who was born in 1994. No age was listed for Pepion in his charging documents.
Blackfeet Tribal Department of Public Safety Director Henry Devereaux says the FBI investigated Pepion in July and he resigned three weeks ago. Devereaux says Pepion had been an officer for about a year when officials began investigating the allegations against him.
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http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2009/08/officer-aaron-pepion-arrested-for.html
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Officer Corey Yocum Arrested for Sexual Contact to Child
A former Olney police officer was arrested on a district court warrant alleging two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact.
Corey J. Yocum was arrested by the Dallas Police Department on Friday and held on a $100,000 bond.
According to two indictments issued by a Young County grand jury in May, Yocum intentionally caused a child under the age of 17 to touch him and he allegedly touched the girl in sexual manners. At the time of the alleged offense, Oct. 24, 2008, Yocum was a police officer in Olney.
“We received the allegation and forwarded it to an impartial agency to investigate,” said Randall Davis, chief of the Olney Police Department. “That investigation led to him being indicted. It’s embarrassing that it happened to us. We have every intention of policing ourselves, as well as the community.”
Jim Reeves, the investigator for 90th Judicial District Attorney Brenda Gray, said when he learned Yocum was still at large and might be in the Dallas area, he asked for help in finding the man who police have been looking for since May.
“I saw the guy hadn’t been arrested, and he had been indicted in May,” Reeves said. “I picked up the phone and contacted a Texas Ranger, Sgt. Eric Casper. Casper put out the information to his contacts in Dallas. As a result, he was arrested by the Child Sex Exploitation Unit of the Dallas PD.”
Yocum was taken to the Dallas County Jail on Friday and was transported to Young County on Monday. He is currently being held in the Young County Jail.
Corey J. Yocum was arrested by the Dallas Police Department on Friday and held on a $100,000 bond.
According to two indictments issued by a Young County grand jury in May, Yocum intentionally caused a child under the age of 17 to touch him and he allegedly touched the girl in sexual manners. At the time of the alleged offense, Oct. 24, 2008, Yocum was a police officer in Olney.
“We received the allegation and forwarded it to an impartial agency to investigate,” said Randall Davis, chief of the Olney Police Department. “That investigation led to him being indicted. It’s embarrassing that it happened to us. We have every intention of policing ourselves, as well as the community.”
Jim Reeves, the investigator for 90th Judicial District Attorney Brenda Gray, said when he learned Yocum was still at large and might be in the Dallas area, he asked for help in finding the man who police have been looking for since May.
“I saw the guy hadn’t been arrested, and he had been indicted in May,” Reeves said. “I picked up the phone and contacted a Texas Ranger, Sgt. Eric Casper. Casper put out the information to his contacts in Dallas. As a result, he was arrested by the Child Sex Exploitation Unit of the Dallas PD.”
Yocum was taken to the Dallas County Jail on Friday and was transported to Young County on Monday. He is currently being held in the Young County Jail.
David Fisher Arrested for Sexual Child Abuse
Mayes County deputies arrested the principal of Choteau Elementary on Tuesday.
According to Sheriff Frank Cantey, David Fisher is being held on three counts of sexual child abuse.
Sheriff Cantey says the suspected abuse occured during the 2003-2004 school year. A then-13-year-old girl made the accusations against Fisher.
Fisher had been a teacher, bus driver and coach at Mazie Elementary at the time. This year he took the principal position at Chouteau Elementary.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Gary Wade Brown Sentenced to a Year for Sexual Abuse of Boy Scout
A former Utah County Boy Scout leader narrowly avoided prison Monday and instead was sentenced to a year in jail for sexually abusing a 12-year-old troop member.
Gary Wade Brown, 42, cried in 4th District Judge Christine Johnson's courtroom as he apologized to the Scout, his family and the Boy Scouts of America for exploiting his position to victimize the young boy.
"I can't imagine the amount of pain and anger I have caused [the victim and his family]," Brown said. "No one else is to blame. I take full responsibility."
Brown pleaded guilty in June to four counts of sexual abuse of a child and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, all second-degree felonies, as part of a bargain to avoid serving time in prison, prosecutor Julia Thomas-Fishburn said.
The victim's father, who knew Brown from his Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward, said he believes Brown can turn his life around and wants him to be given the chance to rehabilitate.
"I don't approach this situation with vengeance, but more with sorrow and pity," the victim's father said. "This is not the way I wish to see Wade."
Johnson said she was close to sending Brown to prison but decided to suspend the one- to 15-year prison sentence and give him one year in jail based on a psychologist's report that said he was a low risk for a repeat offense.
Johnson, however, placed Brown on an intensive 36-month probation, during which he must complete rehabilitative therapy and not have contact with minors, including his own children. The probation will begin when Brown, who was credited with eight months of time already served, gets out of jail in four months.
The sexual activity between Brown and his troop member occurred for 18 months in 2005 to 2006, according to police. They said the boy reported that Brown had fondled him at Scout camps and in the ex-Scout leader's car and home.
Gary Wade Brown, 42, cried in 4th District Judge Christine Johnson's courtroom as he apologized to the Scout, his family and the Boy Scouts of America for exploiting his position to victimize the young boy.
"I can't imagine the amount of pain and anger I have caused [the victim and his family]," Brown said. "No one else is to blame. I take full responsibility."
Brown pleaded guilty in June to four counts of sexual abuse of a child and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, all second-degree felonies, as part of a bargain to avoid serving time in prison, prosecutor Julia Thomas-Fishburn said.
The victim's father, who knew Brown from his Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward, said he believes Brown can turn his life around and wants him to be given the chance to rehabilitate.
"I don't approach this situation with vengeance, but more with sorrow and pity," the victim's father said. "This is not the way I wish to see Wade."
Johnson said she was close to sending Brown to prison but decided to suspend the one- to 15-year prison sentence and give him one year in jail based on a psychologist's report that said he was a low risk for a repeat offense.
Johnson, however, placed Brown on an intensive 36-month probation, during which he must complete rehabilitative therapy and not have contact with minors, including his own children. The probation will begin when Brown, who was credited with eight months of time already served, gets out of jail in four months.
The sexual activity between Brown and his troop member occurred for 18 months in 2005 to 2006, according to police. They said the boy reported that Brown had fondled him at Scout camps and in the ex-Scout leader's car and home.
G.L. Sizemore Charged with Rape of Child
A man accused of multiple sex crimes against a family member goes on trial this week.
G.L. Sizemore, 49, of Kings Mountain, has been charged with two counts of indecent liberties of a child, first-degree rape of a child, first-degree sex offense of a child, and failure to appear on those charges. His last known address is Farris Road.
Sizemore is accused of committing sex crimes while he lived in the home where the victim also lived, according to court testimony. Prosecutors said the sexual abuse lasted more than five years.
Several potential jurors were candid Monday when asked by prosecutors and the defense if they knew of or experi-enced any form of sexual abuse. More than 10 people said that they had either experienced abuse or knew of a family member who had.
Many were dismissed. It took several hours for the eight-man, four-female jury to be chosen.
Opening statements
Prosecutor Elizabeth Lari began her opening statement by saying the case, “has been a family secret for a long time.”
Lari told jurors Sizemore began touching the accuser when she was a child and went on to say the touching esca-lated to fondling and eventually intercourse. The alleged abuse began at age 5 and ended at age 12, according to Lari.
“It happened a number of times throughout the years,” Lari said.
Lifelong memory
Tears rolled down the accuser’s face as Lari told jurors she will testify on Tuesday.
“I hope she will give you the full picture,” Lari said. “This is a lifelong memory that she has repressed and will now recall in a room full of strangers.”
According to court testimony, the victim came forward to authorities in July 2003 to give a full, detailed account of what happened those years of her childhood.
Two sides of a coin
Sizemore’s attorney, Mike Griffin, said there was a period of time when everything went well between the parties.
But things quickly changed between 2001 and 2003, when the accuser came forward.
“There are two sides to every coin and two sides to every story,” Griffin said.
Trial Begins for Richard Jay Swank Charged with Sexual Abuse
Through tears, the daughter of a man on trial for years of allegedly abusing his son told of a time when her father gave her a gun and tried to get her to kill her abused brother.
The trial of Richard Jay Swank, 47, charged with multiple counts of sexual of abuse of a child, opened on Monday morning with Deputy District Attorney Kathleen DiDonato describing a horrendous life of the victim — not just from sexual abuse but also years of torture, beatings, starvation and isolation from the rest of the family.
“The beatings at the hands of his father started when the victim was about three or four years old,” DiDonato told the jury. “Shortly before 10 years old is when years and years of sexual abuse began that included repeated sodomizing and oral copulation.”
Swank is charged with multiple counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child, sexual penetration with a foreign object and oral copulation by force.
The trial of Richard Jay Swank, 47, charged with multiple counts of sexual of abuse of a child, opened on Monday morning with Deputy District Attorney Kathleen DiDonato describing a horrendous life of the victim — not just from sexual abuse but also years of torture, beatings, starvation and isolation from the rest of the family.
“The beatings at the hands of his father started when the victim was about three or four years old,” DiDonato told the jury. “Shortly before 10 years old is when years and years of sexual abuse began that included repeated sodomizing and oral copulation.”
Swank is charged with multiple counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child, sexual penetration with a foreign object and oral copulation by force.
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."
David Hayes Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Abuse
David Hayes, 39, of Clifton Park will spend up to 12 years in prison for his conviction on several counts surrounding the sexual abuse of a child. He was convicted on May 15, after a jury trial.
Hayes was sentenced to four years in state prison on one conviction of sexual abuse in the first degree, three years in state prison on two convictions of sexual abuse in the first degree, and two years in state prison on one conviction of sexual abuse in the first degree for a total of 12 years in state prison. The judge directed that the prison terms be served consecutively.
He was also sentenced to three years of post release supervision.
Hayes was sentenced to four years in state prison on one conviction of sexual abuse in the first degree, three years in state prison on two convictions of sexual abuse in the first degree, and two years in state prison on one conviction of sexual abuse in the first degree for a total of 12 years in state prison. The judge directed that the prison terms be served consecutively.
He was also sentenced to three years of post release supervision.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Gunnery School Student Sues Over Sexual Abuse Allegations
Legal news information for Connecticut personal injury attorney’s. Gunnery School student claims the dean of students sexually abused him.
Torrington, CT—The family of a student who claims he was sexually abused at The Gunnery School in Washington, Connecticut filed a lawsuit on Monday, August 10, 2009. The lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court in New London, as reported by the Courant.
The alleged sexually assaulted victim, John Doe, claims he was assaulted on numerous occasions during his freshman year at The Gunnery School, from September 2007 to June 2008. Doe says he suffered from emotional distress and has a fear of attending school. The personal injury lawsuit names the former dean of students, Robert Reinhardt, 44; the head of school, Susan Graham; and a teacher, Dana Jackson. Reinhardt apparently was also the crew coach, a teacher, and a “dorm parent”, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit further alleges Reinhardt had an on-campus apartment, where he frequently had minors over at his residence late at night, overnight, and early in the morning. In addition, the lawsuit says the boarding school was aware, or should have been aware of the inappropriate activities surrounding Reinhardt and the alleged victim. The school is also accused of neglecting to quickly respond to the sexual abuse allegations.
The Gunnery School released a statement saying, “We reported this information to the Connecticut state child welfare authorities immediately. The faculty member in question had left the school’s employment.” On August 5, 2009, Reinhardt surrendered to state police and was charged with second-degree sexual assault. He was also charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor, and his bail was set at $750,000. Reinhardt’s next court date is scheduled for September 1st at the Superior Court in Litchfield.
According to Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org
“The Gunnery School is a coeducational boarding and day Prep school for 295 students in grades nine through twelve. The Gunnery was founded in 1850 by Frederick W. Gunn, a teacher, abolitionist, and father of recreational camping in America. The basic mission of The Gunnery is to promote the four cornerstones on which character is built: scholarship, integrity, respect and responsibility.”
Torrington, CT—The family of a student who claims he was sexually abused at The Gunnery School in Washington, Connecticut filed a lawsuit on Monday, August 10, 2009. The lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court in New London, as reported by the Courant.
The alleged sexually assaulted victim, John Doe, claims he was assaulted on numerous occasions during his freshman year at The Gunnery School, from September 2007 to June 2008. Doe says he suffered from emotional distress and has a fear of attending school. The personal injury lawsuit names the former dean of students, Robert Reinhardt, 44; the head of school, Susan Graham; and a teacher, Dana Jackson. Reinhardt apparently was also the crew coach, a teacher, and a “dorm parent”, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit further alleges Reinhardt had an on-campus apartment, where he frequently had minors over at his residence late at night, overnight, and early in the morning. In addition, the lawsuit says the boarding school was aware, or should have been aware of the inappropriate activities surrounding Reinhardt and the alleged victim. The school is also accused of neglecting to quickly respond to the sexual abuse allegations.
The Gunnery School released a statement saying, “We reported this information to the Connecticut state child welfare authorities immediately. The faculty member in question had left the school’s employment.” On August 5, 2009, Reinhardt surrendered to state police and was charged with second-degree sexual assault. He was also charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor, and his bail was set at $750,000. Reinhardt’s next court date is scheduled for September 1st at the Superior Court in Litchfield.
According to Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org
“The Gunnery School is a coeducational boarding and day Prep school for 295 students in grades nine through twelve. The Gunnery was founded in 1850 by Frederick W. Gunn, a teacher, abolitionist, and father of recreational camping in America. The basic mission of The Gunnery is to promote the four cornerstones on which character is built: scholarship, integrity, respect and responsibility.”
Friday, August 14, 2009
Franklin Schafer Sentenced for Sexually Abusing 6-year-old
Franklin D. Schafer, convicted June 18 of sexually abusing a 6-year-old girl as her 7-year-old brother watched, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years to life in prison.
Schafer, 50, of Dickersonville Road, Porter, is planning an appeal. He did not take the bait when Niagara County Judge Sara Sheldon Sperrazza advised him to “own up” to what he did.
“There’s a lot of things I can say,” Schafer said. But he kept them to himself.
A letter from the victims’ mother, read aloud in court, called Schafer “a horrible monster.”
“It makes me sick to my stomach when I hear anyone believe Frank over my children,” the mother wrote.
Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth R. Donatello said of Schafer, “He has forfeited his right to live in decent society.”
After 15 hours of deliberations and re-reading of testimony over a two-day period, the jury found Schafer guilty of predatory sexual assault against a child for having oral sex with the girl. Schafer also was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse and two counts of child endangerment.
The jury acquitted Schafer on another predatory assault count that accused him of having intercourse with the girl. The incidents occurred Jan. 3 in Schafer’s home.
Defense attorney Scott Stepien filed a motion, which was denied, asking Sperrazza to overturn the verdict because of a purported error in re-reading the 6-year-old’s testimony to the jury.
At Stepien’s request, Sperrazza had ordered that the children be told not to mention a particular sex act. When the girl got into that on the stand, Sperrazza said, “Let’s move on.” In the read-back, that part was omitted.
Sperrazza said Thursday that the girl’s testimony was practically whispered. “I am confident the jury did not hear the three or four words that are at issue,” she said.
Donatello noted that Stepien agreed with that at the time. Quoting the trial transcript, Donatello said Stepien commented, “I think it’s pretty obvious the jury didn’t hear it.”
“He chose not to bring it up,” Donatello said. “To ask the court to revisit it is ludicrous.”
Stepien said he thinks Schafer’s conviction will be overturned on appeal based on precedents regarding incomplete assistance to the jury. But Donatello said “objectionable testimony” need not be read back.
She also denounced Stepien for calling the children “pathological liars” in the written text of his motion to overturn the verdict. “Unconscionable,” the prosecutor called it.
Sperrazza rebuked Stepien, saying no evidence about the children’s reputation for truth or falsehood was offered.
Stepien said he did not present such evidence because he thought Sperrazza would rule it inadmissible.
Schafer, 50, of Dickersonville Road, Porter, is planning an appeal. He did not take the bait when Niagara County Judge Sara Sheldon Sperrazza advised him to “own up” to what he did.
“There’s a lot of things I can say,” Schafer said. But he kept them to himself.
A letter from the victims’ mother, read aloud in court, called Schafer “a horrible monster.”
“It makes me sick to my stomach when I hear anyone believe Frank over my children,” the mother wrote.
Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth R. Donatello said of Schafer, “He has forfeited his right to live in decent society.”
After 15 hours of deliberations and re-reading of testimony over a two-day period, the jury found Schafer guilty of predatory sexual assault against a child for having oral sex with the girl. Schafer also was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse and two counts of child endangerment.
The jury acquitted Schafer on another predatory assault count that accused him of having intercourse with the girl. The incidents occurred Jan. 3 in Schafer’s home.
Defense attorney Scott Stepien filed a motion, which was denied, asking Sperrazza to overturn the verdict because of a purported error in re-reading the 6-year-old’s testimony to the jury.
At Stepien’s request, Sperrazza had ordered that the children be told not to mention a particular sex act. When the girl got into that on the stand, Sperrazza said, “Let’s move on.” In the read-back, that part was omitted.
Sperrazza said Thursday that the girl’s testimony was practically whispered. “I am confident the jury did not hear the three or four words that are at issue,” she said.
Donatello noted that Stepien agreed with that at the time. Quoting the trial transcript, Donatello said Stepien commented, “I think it’s pretty obvious the jury didn’t hear it.”
“He chose not to bring it up,” Donatello said. “To ask the court to revisit it is ludicrous.”
Stepien said he thinks Schafer’s conviction will be overturned on appeal based on precedents regarding incomplete assistance to the jury. But Donatello said “objectionable testimony” need not be read back.
She also denounced Stepien for calling the children “pathological liars” in the written text of his motion to overturn the verdict. “Unconscionable,” the prosecutor called it.
Sperrazza rebuked Stepien, saying no evidence about the children’s reputation for truth or falsehood was offered.
Stepien said he did not present such evidence because he thought Sperrazza would rule it inadmissible.
Six Myths About Childhood Sexual Abuse
Before we start thinking about such dreadful topics as incest and other sexual abuse, I want to ask you to think for a moment about the number of children you know who wear braces on their teeth. We'll get back to that later.
Myth 1 - Childhood sexual abuse doesn't happen to people "like us."
Some people think childhood sexual abuse involves something out there, involves someone else... a dirty old man in a raincoat, for instance. Most sexual abuse is committed by a family member, a family friend, someone that the child and members of the child's family know. Childhood sexual abuse occurs in families that are faithful Roman Catholics or Baptists or members of no church at all. It happens in black and white families, in rich and poor families. A former Miss America has been very open in discussing her childhood sexual abuse, and so has Oprah Winfrey.
If you are working with young people in an elite prep school or in a juvenile prison, you are working with someone who has been sexually abused.
Myth 2 - Only men sexually abuse children, and only girls are abused.
The truth is, as many as one quarter of sexual abusers are women, and the proportions of boys and girls abused are about equal.
Myth 3 - The adult must be drunk or on drugs to do such a thing.
Childhood sexual abuse is so horrible, in fact, that we want to believe that the adult must be drunk or on drugs to do such a thing. Of course, the use of alcohol and drugs—of alcohol and other drugs—is involved in many sexual offenses. But there are many people who use drugs who do not abuse children, and there are people who abuse children who will not allow alcohol in their homes.
Myth 4 - The adult cannot help himself/herself. He/she is so attracted to the child.
This is not about "abusive sex with children." It is about "sexual abuse of children." Of course, in all honesty, perhaps most sexually "normal" (whatever that means) adults have probably seen a young person, let's hope at youngest a teenager, and felt sexually attracted.
But, these myths are not about sex but abuse. What happens in any abuse of children? A stronger person takes advantage of a weaker person, imposes his or her feelings onto the weaker person. A person who weighs maybe a hundred eighty pounds takes advantage of someone who weighs perhaps forty pounds to act out his/her anger or frustration or drunkenness. Imagine that you are facing a seven hundred pound sumo wrestler... and he has just been fired.
Sex is just one more way of taking advantage. Many sexual abusers offend against boys and girls alike, because it is not a matter of being attracted to boys or to girls but of being attracted to anyone smaller, weaker. Quite often, the child can understand the issue of power even though he or she is too young to understand what sex is about. That sense of powerlessness stays with survivors of childhood sexual abuse long after the abuse ends.
Myth 5 - Incest is not as bad as other sexual abuse since the child at least recognizes, knows, and perhaps loves the adult.
That the child knows and loves the adult makes incest the worst abuse of all. If you are being abused by your father, stepfather, uncle, or grandfather—or your mother, stepmother, aunt, or grandmother—then you are being abused by someone who should be there to protect you from abuse. The people you should trust violate that trust, and you may never be able to trust anyone again.
Myth 6 - ...
The final myth is so awful, so dangerous that I am not going to call it a myth anymore. It is a lie, purely and simply, a lie. This lie is that the child somehow wants, asks for, or brings about the sexual abuse. I have friends whose abuse began before they started to school.
If you do not remember anything else from this aticle, remember this: The child is not responsible for the sexual abuse. The child is not and cannot be responsible for the sexual abuse. The child is not and is never under any circumstances responsible for the sexual abuse. And, in case there is any doubt, any sexual contact between an adult and a child is abuse.
Now that we've gone through five myths and a lie about childhood sexual abuse, I want to review them, but this time, I want to tell you the six corresponding truths about childhood sexual abuse:
Truth 1 - Childhood sexual abuse occurs in all groups.
Yes, even in your group.
Truth 2 - Not all sexual abusers are men.
Nor are all victims girls.
Truth 3 - Alcohol and other drugs are not necessarily a part of childhood sexual abuse.
They certainly are not an excuse.
Truth 4 - Childhood sexual abuse is a form of child abuse.
It is about power, not about sexual attraction.
Truth 5 - Incest is the worst kind of childhood sexual abuse.
That is, if we can say that one form is worse than another.
Truth 6 - The child is not responsible for the sexual abuse.
Take a minute to say that last one aloud: The child is not responsible... for the sexual abuse....
Braces?
I asked you about people wearing braces because... the number of children who wear braces is less than the number of children who are sexually abused.
Myth 1 - Childhood sexual abuse doesn't happen to people "like us."
Some people think childhood sexual abuse involves something out there, involves someone else... a dirty old man in a raincoat, for instance. Most sexual abuse is committed by a family member, a family friend, someone that the child and members of the child's family know. Childhood sexual abuse occurs in families that are faithful Roman Catholics or Baptists or members of no church at all. It happens in black and white families, in rich and poor families. A former Miss America has been very open in discussing her childhood sexual abuse, and so has Oprah Winfrey.
If you are working with young people in an elite prep school or in a juvenile prison, you are working with someone who has been sexually abused.
Myth 2 - Only men sexually abuse children, and only girls are abused.
The truth is, as many as one quarter of sexual abusers are women, and the proportions of boys and girls abused are about equal.
Myth 3 - The adult must be drunk or on drugs to do such a thing.
Childhood sexual abuse is so horrible, in fact, that we want to believe that the adult must be drunk or on drugs to do such a thing. Of course, the use of alcohol and drugs—of alcohol and other drugs—is involved in many sexual offenses. But there are many people who use drugs who do not abuse children, and there are people who abuse children who will not allow alcohol in their homes.
Myth 4 - The adult cannot help himself/herself. He/she is so attracted to the child.
This is not about "abusive sex with children." It is about "sexual abuse of children." Of course, in all honesty, perhaps most sexually "normal" (whatever that means) adults have probably seen a young person, let's hope at youngest a teenager, and felt sexually attracted.
But, these myths are not about sex but abuse. What happens in any abuse of children? A stronger person takes advantage of a weaker person, imposes his or her feelings onto the weaker person. A person who weighs maybe a hundred eighty pounds takes advantage of someone who weighs perhaps forty pounds to act out his/her anger or frustration or drunkenness. Imagine that you are facing a seven hundred pound sumo wrestler... and he has just been fired.
Sex is just one more way of taking advantage. Many sexual abusers offend against boys and girls alike, because it is not a matter of being attracted to boys or to girls but of being attracted to anyone smaller, weaker. Quite often, the child can understand the issue of power even though he or she is too young to understand what sex is about. That sense of powerlessness stays with survivors of childhood sexual abuse long after the abuse ends.
Myth 5 - Incest is not as bad as other sexual abuse since the child at least recognizes, knows, and perhaps loves the adult.
That the child knows and loves the adult makes incest the worst abuse of all. If you are being abused by your father, stepfather, uncle, or grandfather—or your mother, stepmother, aunt, or grandmother—then you are being abused by someone who should be there to protect you from abuse. The people you should trust violate that trust, and you may never be able to trust anyone again.
Myth 6 - ...
The final myth is so awful, so dangerous that I am not going to call it a myth anymore. It is a lie, purely and simply, a lie. This lie is that the child somehow wants, asks for, or brings about the sexual abuse. I have friends whose abuse began before they started to school.
If you do not remember anything else from this aticle, remember this: The child is not responsible for the sexual abuse. The child is not and cannot be responsible for the sexual abuse. The child is not and is never under any circumstances responsible for the sexual abuse. And, in case there is any doubt, any sexual contact between an adult and a child is abuse.
Now that we've gone through five myths and a lie about childhood sexual abuse, I want to review them, but this time, I want to tell you the six corresponding truths about childhood sexual abuse:
Truth 1 - Childhood sexual abuse occurs in all groups.
Yes, even in your group.
Truth 2 - Not all sexual abusers are men.
Nor are all victims girls.
Truth 3 - Alcohol and other drugs are not necessarily a part of childhood sexual abuse.
They certainly are not an excuse.
Truth 4 - Childhood sexual abuse is a form of child abuse.
It is about power, not about sexual attraction.
Truth 5 - Incest is the worst kind of childhood sexual abuse.
That is, if we can say that one form is worse than another.
Truth 6 - The child is not responsible for the sexual abuse.
Take a minute to say that last one aloud: The child is not responsible... for the sexual abuse....
Braces?
I asked you about people wearing braces because... the number of children who wear braces is less than the number of children who are sexually abused.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Joshua Close Charged with Having Sex with Minor
The Florence County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man they say had sex with a minor.
28-year-old Joshua Close is charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 16 and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Arrest warrant say Close picked up the girl, took her to a local motel where he gave her marijuana, before persuading her to have sex with him.
Police say it happened on or around August 3rd.
Lawsuit Settled Against Father Gerald Howard
Officials with the Jefferson City Catholic Diocese have agreed to pay part of a settlement to a man who claims to have been sexually abused by a former Boonville priest.
Jefferson City Diocese officials would not say how much they paid of a $600,000 settlement agreement.
An attorney representing the alleged victim says no amount of money can erase a stolen childhood, a shattered faith and horrific betrayal.
This story centers around a priest who used to call himself Father Carmine Sita. Sita was arrested and charged in 1982 with sexual molestation and marijuana distribution in New Jersey.
Sita later changed his name to Father Gerald Howard and the Catholic Church moved him to a Boonville parish here in Mid-Missouri. The alleged victim, whose name remains anonymous, says Father Howard abused him during the 1980’s at Boonville’s Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. We do know that the alleged victim now lives in Virginia and sued the Catholic Church for more than $1 million. The church and the alleged victim reached a settlement of $600,000 in June, which is highest settlement for any sexual abuse case in Mid-Missouri involving a priest. Church officials do not know today’s whereabouts of Father Gerald Howard. That concerns the alleged victim’s attorney Bryan Bacon.
“We really encourage anyone that was assaulted by Fr. Howard in Boonville to come forward," Bacon said. "The statue of limitations for this type of crime, there is none. There are no statues of limitations. If you have been violated, I urge you to come forward and call the police.”
Officials with the Diocese of Jefferson City admit former Bishop Michael McAuliffe made a tragic mistake when he agreed to assign Father Howard to the Boonville Catholic Church in 1983. Church leaders say new procedures prevent situations like this from happening again.
“We’ve trained about 8,000 people in our diocese and the 38 counties that we serve," Associate to the Chancellor of the Diocese of Jefferson City Ronald Vessell said. "We’ve trained about 8,000 people in the ways of preventing child sexual abuse. That along with background checks. We do about 1,000 background checks a year.”
Vessell would not say how much of the $600,000 settlement his diocese is paying. Vessell did say any amount is a lot for a small diocese like his. Vessell says parishioners will not pay for the settlement. The church uses a special fund that has been created by private donations specifically for settlements involving child sexual abuse and priests.
The Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City now has it’s own lay review board that handles any allegations of child sexual abuse.
That board determines if any allegations are credible, before making any recommendations to Bishop John Gaydos.
That process was not available when Father Gerald Howard allegedly abused his victim in the 1980’s.
Allegation Against Rev Joseph Gibbs Clauder "Credible"
The Madison Catholic Diocese said Wednesday its sexual abuse review board has found an allegation of child sexual abuse against the Rev. Joseph Gibbs Clauder "credible."
The diocese said Madison Bishop Robert Morlino agrees with the board’s finding and has referred the case to the Vatican for judgment.
The allegation against Clauder was brought forth earlier this year but not made public at the request of the accuser, said diocesan spokesman Brent King. No other information will be released, including the gender of the accuser or the nature of the allegation, he said.
Clauder was placed on administrative leave in 1999 after the diocese received credible allegations against him involving sexual misconduct with an adult, the diocese said.
Clauder was involved in a legal dispute throughout the 1990s in which a woman said she had a sexual relationship with him. The woman sued the diocese accusing it of negligence for not investigating the priest after his suspicious conduct with another woman.
In its 1997 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court said the sexual relationship between Clauder and the woman who filed the civil claim lasted about a year. But it rejected the woman’s claim of negligent supervision of Clauder by the diocese.
Prior to being placed on leave, Clauder served in and around Madison. He was an associate priest at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona, an associate priest at St. Dennis Parish in Madison and a chaplain at the now-closed Madison General Hospital.
Since 1999, Gibbs has not been allowed to present himself publicly as a priest or publicly celebrate the sacraments, said William Yallaly, executive assistant to Morlino.
The Vatican is now the sole determiner of the case, Yallaly said. There is no time line for a decision. If the Vatican agrees with Morlino’s finding, a number of options are possible, including defrocking Clauder or asking him to spend the remainder of his life in prayer and penance, Yallaly said.
Attempts to reach Clauder were unsuccessful.
Police will review and have the authority to investigate crimes they hear about through the media or from other sources other than the victim, according to Madison Police Lt. David McCaw, but doing so becomes difficult without a victim’s formal complaint.
McCaw said police are especially sensitive when it comes to sex crimes because victims initially might not want the attention that comes with an investigation.
The diocese said Madison Bishop Robert Morlino agrees with the board’s finding and has referred the case to the Vatican for judgment.
The allegation against Clauder was brought forth earlier this year but not made public at the request of the accuser, said diocesan spokesman Brent King. No other information will be released, including the gender of the accuser or the nature of the allegation, he said.
Clauder was placed on administrative leave in 1999 after the diocese received credible allegations against him involving sexual misconduct with an adult, the diocese said.
Clauder was involved in a legal dispute throughout the 1990s in which a woman said she had a sexual relationship with him. The woman sued the diocese accusing it of negligence for not investigating the priest after his suspicious conduct with another woman.
In its 1997 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court said the sexual relationship between Clauder and the woman who filed the civil claim lasted about a year. But it rejected the woman’s claim of negligent supervision of Clauder by the diocese.
Prior to being placed on leave, Clauder served in and around Madison. He was an associate priest at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona, an associate priest at St. Dennis Parish in Madison and a chaplain at the now-closed Madison General Hospital.
Since 1999, Gibbs has not been allowed to present himself publicly as a priest or publicly celebrate the sacraments, said William Yallaly, executive assistant to Morlino.
The Vatican is now the sole determiner of the case, Yallaly said. There is no time line for a decision. If the Vatican agrees with Morlino’s finding, a number of options are possible, including defrocking Clauder or asking him to spend the remainder of his life in prayer and penance, Yallaly said.
Attempts to reach Clauder were unsuccessful.
Police will review and have the authority to investigate crimes they hear about through the media or from other sources other than the victim, according to Madison Police Lt. David McCaw, but doing so becomes difficult without a victim’s formal complaint.
McCaw said police are especially sensitive when it comes to sex crimes because victims initially might not want the attention that comes with an investigation.
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