Law enforcement officials across South Carolina continue to announce arrests of people charged with crimes related to child pornography.
In June, authorities arrested an elementary school teacher, accusing him of possessing child pornography. The 46-year-old man was released from Union County Jail on $30,000 bond after being charged with second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Law enforcement officials stated that he used a file-sharing network on his home computer. Using that network, he allegedly received, sold or purchased materials depicting minors in sexual activities.
Sheriff’s deputy charged
Earlier this year, a Spartanburg County deputy was fired from his job after admitting he viewed child pornography. The man’s estranged wife gave authorities a computer disk with 40 pornographic images of children taken from his computer.
The deputy had worked for the sheriff’s office for seven years. The sheriff turned the materials over to state agents for possible criminal charges.
Sass Drive man faces felony charge
A 61-year-old Sass Drive man is also charged with second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
Authorities seized a computer disk containing images of children engaged in sexual activity from his residence. Investigators said he was also suspected of uploading pornography to the Internet.
South Carolina man arrested in Arkansas
A South Carolina man was arrested in Fayetteville, Arkansas, for allegedly viewing images of a nude 15-year-old girl on his cell phone.
The 22-year-old Greenville resident faces felony charges of distributing, possessing and viewing child pornography.
The girl’s mother contacted police after she said her daughter received sexually explicit messages on her phone. After investigators inspected the suspect’s MySpace account, they subpoenaed his Internet service provider and determined his identity.
According to the arrest warrant, he had sent the minor girl photos of his genitals via text messaging. She then sent the photos of herself to him.
South Carolina law
Second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor occurs when an adult “records, photographs, films, develops, duplicates, produces, or creates digital electronic file material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity; or distributes, transports, exhibits, receives, sells, purchases, exchanges or solicits material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity.”
A conviction of this felony charge carries a sentence of not less than two years and not more than 10 years in prison. The minimum sentence must be served in its entirety before the prisoner can be released.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Deputy Christopher Pierce Arrested for Sexual Conversations
A former Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputy has been arrested in Ulster County. Police there say Christopher Pierce had numerous sexual online conversations over the last few months with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl. That person was actually an undercover sheriff's deputy.
Pierce is now charged with one count of attempted disseminating indecent materials to a minor. The Onondaga County Sheriff's Department helping in the investigation by seizing three computers and other computer related evidence from Pierce's home in Clay.
The Onondaga County Sheriff's Department tells Action News Pierce resigned from his job on Wednesday, before he was arrested. Pierce worked in the Jail Division.
Pierce is now charged with one count of attempted disseminating indecent materials to a minor. The Onondaga County Sheriff's Department helping in the investigation by seizing three computers and other computer related evidence from Pierce's home in Clay.
The Onondaga County Sheriff's Department tells Action News Pierce resigned from his job on Wednesday, before he was arrested. Pierce worked in the Jail Division.
Rev. Michael Freymuth Accused of Sexual Abuse
A lawsuit filed in St. Louis accuses a Roman Catholic priest of sexually abusing a young parishioner in the early 1980s.
The unnamed plaintiff filed suit Wednesday against Rev. Michael Freymuth, the Archdiocese of St. Louis and its new Archbishop Robert Carlson, who arrived in St. Louis this June.
The lawsuit says in 2005 the victim informed the archdiocese about Freymuth's alleged sexual misconduct, and was told Freymuth would be removed from active ministry. The suit says that was false.
The archdiocese says a panel of lay people determined the 2005 allegation did not constitute sexual abuse. When it learned of a potential lawsuit alleging abuse in January, St. Louis church officials removed Freymuth from active ministry.
It's unclear where Freymuth lives.
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http://www.bnd.com/336/story/845668.html
The unnamed plaintiff filed suit Wednesday against Rev. Michael Freymuth, the Archdiocese of St. Louis and its new Archbishop Robert Carlson, who arrived in St. Louis this June.
The lawsuit says in 2005 the victim informed the archdiocese about Freymuth's alleged sexual misconduct, and was told Freymuth would be removed from active ministry. The suit says that was false.
The archdiocese says a panel of lay people determined the 2005 allegation did not constitute sexual abuse. When it learned of a potential lawsuit alleging abuse in January, St. Louis church officials removed Freymuth from active ministry.
It's unclear where Freymuth lives.
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http://www.bnd.com/336/story/845668.html
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Former Teacher Kenneth Shadoan Charged with Possession of Child Porn
SOMERSET, Ky.
A former high school teacher has been indicted on federal charges of possessing child pornography in two Kentucky counties.
Kenneth R. Shadoan was already facing 25 state counts of possessing child pornography in Bourbon County after he was arrested by Paris police in May. Shadoan was also accused of inappropriate contact with a 17-year-old male student. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
The Commonwealth Journal of Somerset reports that Shadoan, 31, was fired from the Paris Independent School system after his May arrest.
The July 1 federal court indictment alleges that between May of 2007 and May 2009, Shadoan possessed images of minors engaged in sexually explicit activity in Bourbon County and Pulaski County.
Shadoan’s attorney, Donald D. Waggener, didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.
A former high school teacher has been indicted on federal charges of possessing child pornography in two Kentucky counties.
Kenneth R. Shadoan was already facing 25 state counts of possessing child pornography in Bourbon County after he was arrested by Paris police in May. Shadoan was also accused of inappropriate contact with a 17-year-old male student. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
The Commonwealth Journal of Somerset reports that Shadoan, 31, was fired from the Paris Independent School system after his May arrest.
The July 1 federal court indictment alleges that between May of 2007 and May 2009, Shadoan possessed images of minors engaged in sexually explicit activity in Bourbon County and Pulaski County.
Shadoan’s attorney, Donald D. Waggener, didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.
Former Deputy Stephen Thomas Sentenced to 210 Months for Receiving Child Porn
FT. PIERCE, FL
A former deputy with the Indian River Sheriff's Office will spend 210 months in federal prison followed by life time supervision.
Stephen Guy Thomas was sentenced in federal court in Ft. Pierce for receiving child pornography.
Federal investigators say that Thomas, who worked for IRCSO, was living on the grounds of the Rosewood Magnet Elementary School in Vero Beach.
An investigation found over 100 video clips and over 50 pictures of children on a laptop that he had in his residence as well as on a computer that he had in his assigned sheriff's vehicle.
Thomas' arrest, according to prosecutors, is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide crackdown on child predators.
The Indian River County Sheriff's Office assisted the U.S. Attorney's Office in the case.
Stephen Guy Thomas will also be registered as a sex offender.
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More Information: http://www.examiner.com/x-14605-Miami-Courts-Examiner~y2009m7d20-Former-sheriffs-deputy-sentenced-for-child-porn
Richard Mingst Charged with Sexual Battery
A Boca Raton man was charged with sexual battery on a minor and possession of child pornography in late June after police found pornographic pictures of him and a child on his digital camera, Boca Raton police announced today.
Richard Allen Mingst, 69, confessed to police in Blue Ridge, Ga., where he has a second home. He was arrested on June 26 and is being held at the Fannin County Jail awaiting extradition to Palm Beach County.
In late June, a family member found a picture of Mingst and a child on his digital camera. The alleged sexual battery apparently occurred at his home on the 100 block of N.W. 70th Street in Boca Raton.
Richard Allen Mingst, 69, confessed to police in Blue Ridge, Ga., where he has a second home. He was arrested on June 26 and is being held at the Fannin County Jail awaiting extradition to Palm Beach County.
In late June, a family member found a picture of Mingst and a child on his digital camera. The alleged sexual battery apparently occurred at his home on the 100 block of N.W. 70th Street in Boca Raton.
Police look into alleged sexual assault of child at youth center
The Kinston Department of Public Safety is investigating claims that a 7-year-old girl was grabbed and sexually assaulted by an older male while she was in a female bathroom at the Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday afternoon.
Lenoir County Boys and Girls Club director Robert Rogers declined comment due to the police investigation.
Maj. Greg Thompson said the girl’s mother took her to the hospital later that night, spurring hospital officials to notify police. The child was taken to TEDI Bear Children’s Advocacy Center in Greenville, where she is undergoing physical and mental examinations to determine the validity of the claims.
“It’s a pretty long process,” Thompson said. “She was not physically injured, but when you’re dealing with a small child like that, local officials will not examine.
“They have to be sent to (Greenville).”
Police have no suspects in the case, but are looking for a thin black male between the ages of 13 and 20, according to information obtained from the girl.
Individuals with information regarding this case should call the KDPS at (252) 939-3220.
Lenoir County Boys and Girls Club director Robert Rogers declined comment due to the police investigation.
Maj. Greg Thompson said the girl’s mother took her to the hospital later that night, spurring hospital officials to notify police. The child was taken to TEDI Bear Children’s Advocacy Center in Greenville, where she is undergoing physical and mental examinations to determine the validity of the claims.
“It’s a pretty long process,” Thompson said. “She was not physically injured, but when you’re dealing with a small child like that, local officials will not examine.
“They have to be sent to (Greenville).”
Police have no suspects in the case, but are looking for a thin black male between the ages of 13 and 20, according to information obtained from the girl.
Individuals with information regarding this case should call the KDPS at (252) 939-3220.
Child Abuse Allegations Surface In Beloit School District
The Riverfront Child Care Learning Lab in Beloit cared for the children of teenaged parents while they were at school. That was until allegations of child abuse surfaced.
"It's something that we can't put up with." According to the Beloit School District's Superintendent, Milton Thompson, during the 2008-2009 academic year someone accused staff at the Riverfront Child Care Learning Lab of child abuse.
The accusations ranged from the mild, Thompson says, "Someone taking a paper towel roll and swatting a student on the bottom." To the more extreme, "Children being picked up by the back of the neck like kittens."
But Thompson didn't find out about the issue until early June. One week after he took over as superintendent. " To be honest with you something should have been done immediately."
Thompson calls the accusations "intolerable." He says those who are possibly responsible for the abuse are still on the pay roll. But, if the accusations are true they won't be. "There will be consequences for that."
Despite the allegations the district wants to continue the program. Although not at the same building. They're considering moving it back here to Beloit Memorial High School. Thompson says, "Our intent was not to leave our students out on a lurch. Instead we can do better."
And if they plan on doing better they'll have to hurry because the next academic year is coming up.
Thompson says the district is considering other ideas to keep the program alive as well. Like using a private day care provider. But nothing is set for the 2009-2010 school year.
"It's something that we can't put up with." According to the Beloit School District's Superintendent, Milton Thompson, during the 2008-2009 academic year someone accused staff at the Riverfront Child Care Learning Lab of child abuse.
The accusations ranged from the mild, Thompson says, "Someone taking a paper towel roll and swatting a student on the bottom." To the more extreme, "Children being picked up by the back of the neck like kittens."
But Thompson didn't find out about the issue until early June. One week after he took over as superintendent. " To be honest with you something should have been done immediately."
Thompson calls the accusations "intolerable." He says those who are possibly responsible for the abuse are still on the pay roll. But, if the accusations are true they won't be. "There will be consequences for that."
Despite the allegations the district wants to continue the program. Although not at the same building. They're considering moving it back here to Beloit Memorial High School. Thompson says, "Our intent was not to leave our students out on a lurch. Instead we can do better."
And if they plan on doing better they'll have to hurry because the next academic year is coming up.
Thompson says the district is considering other ideas to keep the program alive as well. Like using a private day care provider. But nothing is set for the 2009-2010 school year.
Officer David Kass Arrested for Trying to Lure 14-year-old
An Omaha police officer has been arrested and accused of using the Internet to lure what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.
Twenty-5-year-old David Kass was arrested at his Omaha home Wednesday on suspicion of online enticement.
La Vista detectives say on Tuesday Kass initiated an online conversation with an undercover investigator posing as a 14-year-old girl. Detectives say the conversation was of a graphic, sexual nature.
Kass has been placed on administrative leave. He has been with the department since 2006.
Online enticement carries a felony charge.
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Information from: KETV-TV, http://www.ketv.com
Twenty-5-year-old David Kass was arrested at his Omaha home Wednesday on suspicion of online enticement.
La Vista detectives say on Tuesday Kass initiated an online conversation with an undercover investigator posing as a 14-year-old girl. Detectives say the conversation was of a graphic, sexual nature.
Kass has been placed on administrative leave. He has been with the department since 2006.
Online enticement carries a felony charge.
____________________________
Information from: KETV-TV, http://www.ketv.com
Timothy Sheldon Arrested for Sexual Abuse
An Oswego man is behind bars, after police say he engaged in numerous sexual acts with a female child under the age of 11. Investigators say Timothy Sheldon, 27, abused the child from April 2005 – July 2009.
Sheldon was charged with Criminal Sexual Act (1st), Sexual Abuse (1st), and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The alleged incidents happened at a home in the town of Oswego.
Sheldon was also charged with Sexual Abuse (2nd) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, after he was accused of having sex with the same child on July 12th, 2009 at a home in the town of Volney.
Sheldon is being held at the Oswego County Correctional Facility on $15,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in the town of Volney Court on July 20, 2009.
Jerry Hall Arrested for Sexual Assault on 13-year-old
Moundsville
A Marshall county man has been indicted on eight counts of third degree sexual assault.
Jerry Hall, 26, allegedly had a relationship with the teen last year. He is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl, police said.
Moundsville Sgt. Darren Whipkey said that the victim's mother is the one who reported the relationship.
Hall is currently in the Northern Regional Jail on $50,000 bond.
Arthur Williams Sr Sentenced to LIFE for Sexual Assault
A Grovetown man was sentenced to life in prison today after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a child.
In June, a jury convicted Arthur Clarence Williams Sr., 33, of Katherine Street, of four counts of child molestation, four counts of aggravated child molestation, two counts of rape and two counts of incest.
Mr. Williams was accused of sexually assaulting a girl at four Grovetown address between April 2004 and April 2008, when she was between 6 and 10 years old.
Superior Court Judge James G. Blanchard sentenced Mr. Williams to life in prison during a sentencing hearing at the Columbia County Justice Center in Evans.
In June, a jury convicted Arthur Clarence Williams Sr., 33, of Katherine Street, of four counts of child molestation, four counts of aggravated child molestation, two counts of rape and two counts of incest.
Mr. Williams was accused of sexually assaulting a girl at four Grovetown address between April 2004 and April 2008, when she was between 6 and 10 years old.
Superior Court Judge James G. Blanchard sentenced Mr. Williams to life in prison during a sentencing hearing at the Columbia County Justice Center in Evans.
Aaron Cook Charged with Rape
A South Pekin teenager was charged in Tazewell County’s 10th Judicial Circuit Court Tuesday with the rape of a child under the age of 9.
Aaron T. Cook, 16, of 111 Second St., South Pekin, is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony, for allegedly sexually assaulting the child on three or four occasions.
The mother of the alleged victim called Pekin police Saturday after the mother came home to find Cook allegedly in the bedroom with her daughter behind a locked door. Cook was baby-sitting, according to court records.
Cook allegedly answered the bedroom door when the mother knocked and said the girl was in the bathroom, court records said. The mother talked to the daughter, who disclosed that Cook had allegedly had sexual contact with her, the records said.
The child was interviewed Monday at the Tazewell County Children’s Advocacy Center, where she related the details of the events. She alleged that Cook had assaulted her on several occasions while he was baby-sitting at her family’s home.
Cook was interviewed Monday by Pekin police and allegedly admitted to assaulting the girl on four or five occasions. He allegedly told officers that the girl told him to stop because he was hurting her but that he did not, court records said.
The girl was taken to Pekin Hospital, where a physical exam revealed that she had been sexually assaulted. She was taken to the Pediatric Resource Center, where it was determined she will need to have surgery to repair the damage from the assaults, according to court records.
Cook is a Pekin Community High School student. PCHS Superintendent Paula Davis said this morning that if Cook is found guilty, the judicial system will determine whether he will continue his education at the high school.
Tazewell County State's Attorney Stewart Umholtz said a decision on whether to charge Cook as an adult will be made today.
Aaron T. Cook, 16, of 111 Second St., South Pekin, is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony, for allegedly sexually assaulting the child on three or four occasions.
The mother of the alleged victim called Pekin police Saturday after the mother came home to find Cook allegedly in the bedroom with her daughter behind a locked door. Cook was baby-sitting, according to court records.
Cook allegedly answered the bedroom door when the mother knocked and said the girl was in the bathroom, court records said. The mother talked to the daughter, who disclosed that Cook had allegedly had sexual contact with her, the records said.
The child was interviewed Monday at the Tazewell County Children’s Advocacy Center, where she related the details of the events. She alleged that Cook had assaulted her on several occasions while he was baby-sitting at her family’s home.
Cook was interviewed Monday by Pekin police and allegedly admitted to assaulting the girl on four or five occasions. He allegedly told officers that the girl told him to stop because he was hurting her but that he did not, court records said.
The girl was taken to Pekin Hospital, where a physical exam revealed that she had been sexually assaulted. She was taken to the Pediatric Resource Center, where it was determined she will need to have surgery to repair the damage from the assaults, according to court records.
Cook is a Pekin Community High School student. PCHS Superintendent Paula Davis said this morning that if Cook is found guilty, the judicial system will determine whether he will continue his education at the high school.
Tazewell County State's Attorney Stewart Umholtz said a decision on whether to charge Cook as an adult will be made today.
Trial Begins for Evangelist Tony Alamo
Evangelist Tony Alamo preyed on his loyal followers' young daughters, once taking a girl as young as 8 as his bride and repeatedly sexually assaulting her, a federal prosecutor said Tuesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes said that girl's story and others would unwind an "elaborate facade" Alamo wove around himself as the preacher's trial on charges that he took underage girls across state lines for sex began in earnest. Alamo's lawyers argued that the alleged victims traveled across the country to further the outreach and business interests of a "bona fide religious group" that the government targeted out of its own prejudices.
U.S. District Judge Harry F. Barnes swore in a jury of nine men and three women on Tuesday to hear the case against the 74-year-old Alamo. Lawyers also picked two women to serve as alternates.
The jury includes an jobless personnel employee, a worker for a local construction company and an airport finance director who lives in Fouke, the scene of Sept. 20 raid on Alamo's 15-acre complex there. FBI agents and Arkansas State Police troopers armed with a search warrant looked throughout the complex for evidence of child pornography. The FBI arrested Alamo five days later in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Fowlkes told jurors that a 15-year-old girl who left the Alamo ministries in 2006 told the FBI that Alamo married her at age 8. The girl told agents Alamo exchanged wedding vows and rings with her and first sexually assaulted her before she turned 10, Fowlkes said.
Alamo summoned another 15-year-old girl to his home in 1994 by telephone, authorities said. The evangelist told her loyal parents that God instructed him to marry her, Fowlkes said. The parents consented and Alamo repeatedly sexually assaulted her, taking her own trips to West Virginia and Memphis, Tenn., as he prepared for a trial on federal tax-evasion charges, the prosecutor said.
Another similar call came in 1998, when Alamo married a 14-year-old girl, Fowlkes said. In 2002, Alamo, then 67, summoned three underage girls into his bedroom and shut the door, telling them God wanted him to marry two of them, Fowlkes said. Alamo later sexually assaulted two of those girls he married, one 11, the other 14, the prosecutor said.
Those girls also traveled on Alamo's orders to other states, Fowlkes said.
One of those parents encouraged the girl to marry Alamo, noting how his home had access to better food, television privileges, movies and a swimming pool, Fowlkes said. But instead of joy, the evangelist controlled every aspect of their lives from what they ate to who spoke with them, the prosecutor said.
"When the FBI began to pull on that thread, it began to unravel the elaborate facade the defendant had carefully woven around himself," Fowlkes said.
Don Ervin, who is leading Alamo's defense team, told jurors to focus on the facts in the case. He said all the girls' travel came as part of the ministry's efforts to give people "decent lives for themselves."
"This investigation, this prosecution was fueled by prejudice the government and law enforcement have against Tony Alamo's church because of its practices," Ervin said.
Alamo faces a 10-count federal indictment accusing him of taking underage girls across state lines for sex, a violation of a century-old law known as the Mann Act. If convicted, he faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each counts.
He remains held without bond until the end of his trial, scheduled to last two weeks.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes said that girl's story and others would unwind an "elaborate facade" Alamo wove around himself as the preacher's trial on charges that he took underage girls across state lines for sex began in earnest. Alamo's lawyers argued that the alleged victims traveled across the country to further the outreach and business interests of a "bona fide religious group" that the government targeted out of its own prejudices.
U.S. District Judge Harry F. Barnes swore in a jury of nine men and three women on Tuesday to hear the case against the 74-year-old Alamo. Lawyers also picked two women to serve as alternates.
The jury includes an jobless personnel employee, a worker for a local construction company and an airport finance director who lives in Fouke, the scene of Sept. 20 raid on Alamo's 15-acre complex there. FBI agents and Arkansas State Police troopers armed with a search warrant looked throughout the complex for evidence of child pornography. The FBI arrested Alamo five days later in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Fowlkes told jurors that a 15-year-old girl who left the Alamo ministries in 2006 told the FBI that Alamo married her at age 8. The girl told agents Alamo exchanged wedding vows and rings with her and first sexually assaulted her before she turned 10, Fowlkes said.
Alamo summoned another 15-year-old girl to his home in 1994 by telephone, authorities said. The evangelist told her loyal parents that God instructed him to marry her, Fowlkes said. The parents consented and Alamo repeatedly sexually assaulted her, taking her own trips to West Virginia and Memphis, Tenn., as he prepared for a trial on federal tax-evasion charges, the prosecutor said.
Another similar call came in 1998, when Alamo married a 14-year-old girl, Fowlkes said. In 2002, Alamo, then 67, summoned three underage girls into his bedroom and shut the door, telling them God wanted him to marry two of them, Fowlkes said. Alamo later sexually assaulted two of those girls he married, one 11, the other 14, the prosecutor said.
Those girls also traveled on Alamo's orders to other states, Fowlkes said.
One of those parents encouraged the girl to marry Alamo, noting how his home had access to better food, television privileges, movies and a swimming pool, Fowlkes said. But instead of joy, the evangelist controlled every aspect of their lives from what they ate to who spoke with them, the prosecutor said.
"When the FBI began to pull on that thread, it began to unravel the elaborate facade the defendant had carefully woven around himself," Fowlkes said.
Don Ervin, who is leading Alamo's defense team, told jurors to focus on the facts in the case. He said all the girls' travel came as part of the ministry's efforts to give people "decent lives for themselves."
"This investigation, this prosecution was fueled by prejudice the government and law enforcement have against Tony Alamo's church because of its practices," Ervin said.
Alamo faces a 10-count federal indictment accusing him of taking underage girls across state lines for sex, a violation of a century-old law known as the Mann Act. If convicted, he faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each counts.
He remains held without bond until the end of his trial, scheduled to last two weeks.
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