Connecticut police say they caught a 26-year-old Stratford woman in bed with a 15-year-old boy at her home, and she admitted having sex with him.
Town police say they went to Kristen Blanco's home Tuesday after receiving a complaint that she had been having sexual relations with the boy. They say a relative let officers inside the home and they found Blanco and the boy naked together in bed.
Police say Blanco, a mother of two, told them she loves the boy and began having sexual relations with him several weeks ago.
She is charged with second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. She posted $2,500 bond.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Robert Zicari & Janet Romano Sentenced for Distributing Child Porn
A husband and wife from California were sentenced to a year and a day in prison for conspiring to distribute pornographic videos depicting simulated rape and murder.
Robert Zicari and Janet Romano also received two years of supervised release at sentencing Wednesday. They pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute obscene material.
Zicari and Romano owned Extreme Associates Inc., of Northridge, Calif. An undercover U.S. postal inspector in Pittsburgh purchased DVDs from them and a grand jury found the images met the Supreme Court's test for obscenity.
Defense attorneys contested the government's claim that the material is "sadistic or masochistic" for sentencing purposes, but that argument was denied.
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Robert Zicari and Janet Romano also received two years of supervised release at sentencing Wednesday. They pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute obscene material.
Zicari and Romano owned Extreme Associates Inc., of Northridge, Calif. An undercover U.S. postal inspector in Pittsburgh purchased DVDs from them and a grand jury found the images met the Supreme Court's test for obscenity.
Defense attorneys contested the government's claim that the material is "sadistic or masochistic" for sentencing purposes, but that argument was denied.
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Probation Officer Joseph Gama Accused of Molesting 3 Children
That's what Shasta County Superior Court Judge Bradley Boeckman told jurors Tuesday before attorneys launched into their opening statements in the trial of a federal probation officer accused of molesting three children.
Joseph Nicholas Gama, 46, of Redding is charged with five counts of felony child molestation and three enhancements.
Deputy District Attorney Ben Hanna said that Gama is accused of molesting three young girls in two separate instances in the late 1990s or early 2000s and a third in the mid-2000s.
But, Hanna told jurors, they were not Gama's only victims. A fourth alleged victim was identified, but charges were not filed in that late 1980s case because the statute of limitations had expired. Hanna said that girl was about 13 when Gama befriended her, only to betray that trust.
"His crimes happened in secret, but now they are in the open," Hanna said after he described the alleged molestations in detail.
But Gama's defense attorney, Eric Berg of Redding, said his client is being unfairly railroaded, pure and simple.
One of the girls, he told jurors, said that she does not remember having been molested by Gama. The claims of a second girl were investigated in 2006 and dropped because of insufficient evidence, and the third girl suffers from a mental health condition that prevents her from giving or receiving affection, Berg said.
The fourth girl's story also is highly questionable because she has a history of making sexual molestation accusations, Berg said.
Berg said his client is above reproach, has long been a respected community member and was president of a youth soccer league. Gama is free in lieu of $350,000 bail.
Joseph Nicholas Gama, 46, of Redding is charged with five counts of felony child molestation and three enhancements.
Deputy District Attorney Ben Hanna said that Gama is accused of molesting three young girls in two separate instances in the late 1990s or early 2000s and a third in the mid-2000s.
But, Hanna told jurors, they were not Gama's only victims. A fourth alleged victim was identified, but charges were not filed in that late 1980s case because the statute of limitations had expired. Hanna said that girl was about 13 when Gama befriended her, only to betray that trust.
"His crimes happened in secret, but now they are in the open," Hanna said after he described the alleged molestations in detail.
But Gama's defense attorney, Eric Berg of Redding, said his client is being unfairly railroaded, pure and simple.
One of the girls, he told jurors, said that she does not remember having been molested by Gama. The claims of a second girl were investigated in 2006 and dropped because of insufficient evidence, and the third girl suffers from a mental health condition that prevents her from giving or receiving affection, Berg said.
The fourth girl's story also is highly questionable because she has a history of making sexual molestation accusations, Berg said.
Berg said his client is above reproach, has long been a respected community member and was president of a youth soccer league. Gama is free in lieu of $350,000 bail.
Romualdo Paz Sentenced for Sexual Assault on 13-year-old
A 31-year-old former San Antonio resident pleaded guilty in mid-trial to the sexual assault of a 13-year-old Marion girl Tuesday — and today faces the possibility of going to prison for the rest of his life.
Romualdo Paz stood indicted on two charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child in connection with incidents in late 2000 and early 2001 and one count of aggravated kidnapping for taking her to Mexico for three months in early 2001.
If proved in the trial being conducted before 274th Judicial District Judge Gary Steel, all three allegations were first-degree felonies punishable by five to 99 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Tuesday afternoon, 25th Judicial District Attorney Heather Hollub said Paz pleaded guilty in the middle of the prosecution being waged by Assistant District Attorney Tom Mitchell.
This morning, jurors will hear evidence in the punishment phase of the trial before deciding Paz’s fate.
He faces between five and 99 years in state prison on a single sexual assault charge. The second count and the kiddnapping allegations were dismissed.
Mitchell, who was seconded by Assistant District Attorney Carrie Moy, opened the trial with his statement telling jurors what the prosecution would prove.
“The facts are going to show this case is about a predator; this case is about innocence; this case is about a naive girl,” Mitchell said.
Paz worked for a San Antonio cleaning company with the victim’s mother, Mitchell told jurors. When she wasn’t in school, the victim frequently went to work with her mother, Mitchell said.
She met Paz, and their relationship developed over the fall of 2000 — largely behind the backs of the parents, Mitchell said. The suspect won the confidence of the victim’s mother, and even was invited to the family home in Marion to help string up Christmas lights that year.
What the parents did not know, Mitchell said, was Paz, then about 22 years old, was visiting their daughter at night when they were not aware.
In December, they had sex in the victim’s mother’s car, and the relationship continued through that month and into January, when Mitchell said the girl would skip school to have sex with Paz.
“The parents didn’t know about the relationship because it was hidden from them,” Mitchell told the jurors.
The girl believed she was in love with Paz, and in late January of 2001, they left for his family home in Mexico — in the car that belonged to her mom, Mitchell said.
“He’s a predator who took her away from her parents at age 13,” Mitchell said.
The victim’s father, who worked for the Boeing Corp. in San Antonio, regularly worked overtime and often didn’t get home until late at night, he testified Tuesday. When he got home at 11:30 p.m., he found his daughter not at home — and had no idea where she was.
Sheriff’s investigator Gary Wallace and the sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division launched an effort in conjunction with the Marion Police Department in an attempt to locate the girl, Mitchell said.
In late April — she had been gone nearly three months — the father got a tip that his daughter might be with Paz in his mother’s home in Tampico, Mexico.
The father found her there and forced her to return to the United States against her will, Mitchell said.
“She wasn’t happy to see him,” Mitchell said. “She was in love, and they’d talked about getting married. She didn’t want to come home.”
After her arrival back in Texas, the girl’s parents had her examined, Mitchell said. She had lice, a foot fungus and was pregnant.
Paz was arrested in August, 2008, and was indicted in October.
Austin defense attorney Robert Caine reserved his opening statement, which he could have delivered at the beginning of the defense portion of the trial.
Romualdo Paz stood indicted on two charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child in connection with incidents in late 2000 and early 2001 and one count of aggravated kidnapping for taking her to Mexico for three months in early 2001.
If proved in the trial being conducted before 274th Judicial District Judge Gary Steel, all three allegations were first-degree felonies punishable by five to 99 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Tuesday afternoon, 25th Judicial District Attorney Heather Hollub said Paz pleaded guilty in the middle of the prosecution being waged by Assistant District Attorney Tom Mitchell.
This morning, jurors will hear evidence in the punishment phase of the trial before deciding Paz’s fate.
He faces between five and 99 years in state prison on a single sexual assault charge. The second count and the kiddnapping allegations were dismissed.
Mitchell, who was seconded by Assistant District Attorney Carrie Moy, opened the trial with his statement telling jurors what the prosecution would prove.
“The facts are going to show this case is about a predator; this case is about innocence; this case is about a naive girl,” Mitchell said.
Paz worked for a San Antonio cleaning company with the victim’s mother, Mitchell told jurors. When she wasn’t in school, the victim frequently went to work with her mother, Mitchell said.
She met Paz, and their relationship developed over the fall of 2000 — largely behind the backs of the parents, Mitchell said. The suspect won the confidence of the victim’s mother, and even was invited to the family home in Marion to help string up Christmas lights that year.
What the parents did not know, Mitchell said, was Paz, then about 22 years old, was visiting their daughter at night when they were not aware.
In December, they had sex in the victim’s mother’s car, and the relationship continued through that month and into January, when Mitchell said the girl would skip school to have sex with Paz.
“The parents didn’t know about the relationship because it was hidden from them,” Mitchell told the jurors.
The girl believed she was in love with Paz, and in late January of 2001, they left for his family home in Mexico — in the car that belonged to her mom, Mitchell said.
“He’s a predator who took her away from her parents at age 13,” Mitchell said.
The victim’s father, who worked for the Boeing Corp. in San Antonio, regularly worked overtime and often didn’t get home until late at night, he testified Tuesday. When he got home at 11:30 p.m., he found his daughter not at home — and had no idea where she was.
Sheriff’s investigator Gary Wallace and the sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division launched an effort in conjunction with the Marion Police Department in an attempt to locate the girl, Mitchell said.
In late April — she had been gone nearly three months — the father got a tip that his daughter might be with Paz in his mother’s home in Tampico, Mexico.
The father found her there and forced her to return to the United States against her will, Mitchell said.
“She wasn’t happy to see him,” Mitchell said. “She was in love, and they’d talked about getting married. She didn’t want to come home.”
After her arrival back in Texas, the girl’s parents had her examined, Mitchell said. She had lice, a foot fungus and was pregnant.
Paz was arrested in August, 2008, and was indicted in October.
Austin defense attorney Robert Caine reserved his opening statement, which he could have delivered at the beginning of the defense portion of the trial.
Terrell Scott Charged with Terrorizing Children
A Bethlehem man has been charged with physically terrorizing the children of his girlfriend over a one-year period.
Terrell A. Scott, 23, of the 1100 block of Merriman Court, allegedly beat the girls, ages 8, 10 and 13, with a broomstick and cable wire.
The abuse began in September 2007 and ended in October 2008, court records say. It occurred at homes in Easton and Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Records say Scott cut the 10-year-old's fingernails down the center with a knife, choked her and chipped her teeth with a claw hammer.
He sexually assaulted the 8-year-old, pulled her belly button with nail clippers and burned her with cigarettes, records say.
Scott was arraigned before District Judge Michael Koury Jr. and is charged with attempted rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault, three counts of indecent assault, indecent exposure and 11 counts each of endangering the welfare of children and simple assault.
He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Terrell A. Scott, 23, of the 1100 block of Merriman Court, allegedly beat the girls, ages 8, 10 and 13, with a broomstick and cable wire.
The abuse began in September 2007 and ended in October 2008, court records say. It occurred at homes in Easton and Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Records say Scott cut the 10-year-old's fingernails down the center with a knife, choked her and chipped her teeth with a claw hammer.
He sexually assaulted the 8-year-old, pulled her belly button with nail clippers and burned her with cigarettes, records say.
Scott was arraigned before District Judge Michael Koury Jr. and is charged with attempted rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault, three counts of indecent assault, indecent exposure and 11 counts each of endangering the welfare of children and simple assault.
He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Dennis Holt Sentenced for Child Abuse
A former Westford resident and Chelmsford High School basketball coach was sentenced Tuesday after being found guilty of a child abuse charge.
Dennis Holt, 62, who now resides in Florida, was sentenced after being found guilty on May 18 of assault with intent to rape a child. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Sandra Hamlin sentenced Holt to five to seven years in state prison.
"The defendant used his position as a mentor and coach to gain this vulnerable victim’s trust," District Attorney Gerry Leone said. "The defendant then violated that trust by committing a series of assaults against the young boy. We thank the victim for coming forward and disclosing what had happened to him so that the defendant could be prosecuted for these disturbing crimes."
Police said Holt met the then 12-year-old victim in the 1990s while the victim was a student at a basketball camp where the defendant was a coach. After the camp ended, Holt invited the victim to his home in Westford multiple times to water-ski.
As time went on, he encouraged the victim to sleep over at his house and committed a series of sexual assaults against the victim over a period of years.
Dennis Holt, 62, who now resides in Florida, was sentenced after being found guilty on May 18 of assault with intent to rape a child. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Sandra Hamlin sentenced Holt to five to seven years in state prison.
"The defendant used his position as a mentor and coach to gain this vulnerable victim’s trust," District Attorney Gerry Leone said. "The defendant then violated that trust by committing a series of assaults against the young boy. We thank the victim for coming forward and disclosing what had happened to him so that the defendant could be prosecuted for these disturbing crimes."
Police said Holt met the then 12-year-old victim in the 1990s while the victim was a student at a basketball camp where the defendant was a coach. After the camp ended, Holt invited the victim to his home in Westford multiple times to water-ski.
As time went on, he encouraged the victim to sleep over at his house and committed a series of sexual assaults against the victim over a period of years.
Scott Beck Arrested for Sexual Abuse
A Bonneville County man is arrested after a teenage girl comes forward saying she was sexually abused by this family friend for the past two years.
According to law enforcement, 46 year old Scott Beck of Ammon was arrested June 26th on two felony counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16.
According to statements the victim made to investigators, Beck started inappropriately touching her in the summer of 2007. Over time, the abuse progressed from touching and kissing to more serious acts, says the report. Violation dates are from June 2007 to June 2009, according to Prosecutor Dane Watkins Junior.
Beck is currently out on $25,000 bond. He will be back in court next week for his preliminary hearing.
He faces up to 25 years in prison on each count if convicted.
According to law enforcement, 46 year old Scott Beck of Ammon was arrested June 26th on two felony counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16.
According to statements the victim made to investigators, Beck started inappropriately touching her in the summer of 2007. Over time, the abuse progressed from touching and kissing to more serious acts, says the report. Violation dates are from June 2007 to June 2009, according to Prosecutor Dane Watkins Junior.
Beck is currently out on $25,000 bond. He will be back in court next week for his preliminary hearing.
He faces up to 25 years in prison on each count if convicted.
Rocco Irish Arrested for Sexually Molesting 13-year-old
A 68-year-old Pattersonville man was arrested and charged over the weekend with sexually molesting a 13-year-old girl, according to state police.
Rocco Irish faces sexual abuse and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child.
Authorities were tipped off to the alleged abuse by the county Child Protective Services prompting a six-week joint investigation by state police and the Schenectady County District Attorney's Office. Irish was arraigned in Princetown Town Court and released on $1,500 bail pending a future court appearance. The judge ordered him to stay away from the teen.
The probe is continuing and anyone with information is asked to call the Princetown barracks at 630-1700.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sidney Man Arrestd for Sexual Assault Against 12-year-old
A 35-year-old Sidney man remained in the custody of the Cheyenne County Jail Monday morning after appearing in Cheyenne County Court for presentment on a felony child sexual assault charge, officials said.
It is the policy of The Sidney Sun-Telegraph that a local suspect in a sex assault case not be named unless he is proven or pleads guilty.
The man was arrested in his home last Thursday by the Sidney Police Department after investigators learned of the alleged act. Police Chief Larry Cox said a family friend was notified by the alleged victim who then informed authorities.
Court documents state the victim, a 12-year-old Sidney girl, was interviewed by authorities. She said the inappropriate touch occurred while she was being tickled by the suspect. The document said the girl gave a graphic description of the act.
The man, who denied inappropriately touching the girl at first, later claimed the touch was an accident while tickling the girl and her sister.
The Cheyenne County Attorney’s Office has filed a Class IIIA felony charge of third-degree sexual assault of a child. The charge states that the suspect, being older than 19 years old, subjected a child under the age of 14 to sexual contact but did not cause serious personal injury to the victim.
The maximum penalty for a Class IIIA felony is five years imprisonment, or a $10,000 fine, or both. There is no minimum sentence for the charge.
County Attorney Paul Schaub said a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 9 at 1:30 p.m. The man’s bond was set at 10 percent of $100,000.
It is the policy of The Sidney Sun-Telegraph that a local suspect in a sex assault case not be named unless he is proven or pleads guilty.
The man was arrested in his home last Thursday by the Sidney Police Department after investigators learned of the alleged act. Police Chief Larry Cox said a family friend was notified by the alleged victim who then informed authorities.
Court documents state the victim, a 12-year-old Sidney girl, was interviewed by authorities. She said the inappropriate touch occurred while she was being tickled by the suspect. The document said the girl gave a graphic description of the act.
The man, who denied inappropriately touching the girl at first, later claimed the touch was an accident while tickling the girl and her sister.
The Cheyenne County Attorney’s Office has filed a Class IIIA felony charge of third-degree sexual assault of a child. The charge states that the suspect, being older than 19 years old, subjected a child under the age of 14 to sexual contact but did not cause serious personal injury to the victim.
The maximum penalty for a Class IIIA felony is five years imprisonment, or a $10,000 fine, or both. There is no minimum sentence for the charge.
County Attorney Paul Schaub said a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 9 at 1:30 p.m. The man’s bond was set at 10 percent of $100,000.
Evan Ortiz Arrested for Sexually Abusing 14-year-old
A city man was arrested Friday afternoon for allegedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl and endangering the welfare of a 10-year-old girl.
Evan Ortiz, 51, of the 500 block of Sharp Street faces two counts of endangering the welfare of children/third degree and one charge of criminal sexual contact/fourth-degree.
Cumberland County Prosecutor Ronald Casella said Monday the sexual contact charge is in connection with the 14-year-old girl.
The endangerment charges are for both girls.
Casella said Ortiz is familiar with the two girls in the case. The time period for the alleged was November 2007.
Superior Court Judge John Waters set bail at $35,000 for Ortiz. He was taken to county jail.
The next step is to present the case to a county grand jury.
Casella said Ortiz could face a total of five to 10 years on the charges, if convicted.
Evan Ortiz, 51, of the 500 block of Sharp Street faces two counts of endangering the welfare of children/third degree and one charge of criminal sexual contact/fourth-degree.
Cumberland County Prosecutor Ronald Casella said Monday the sexual contact charge is in connection with the 14-year-old girl.
The endangerment charges are for both girls.
Casella said Ortiz is familiar with the two girls in the case. The time period for the alleged was November 2007.
Superior Court Judge John Waters set bail at $35,000 for Ortiz. He was taken to county jail.
The next step is to present the case to a county grand jury.
Casella said Ortiz could face a total of five to 10 years on the charges, if convicted.
Eugene Shier Arrested for Taking Naked Pictures
Alarming allegations from a teen who says years ago a man touched him and took naked pictures while he was bathing. Austin police arrested 61 year old Eugene Shier and charged him with indecency with a child.
Shier was convicted of sexual assault of a child back in 1994.
Neighbors tell KEYE TV they weren't surprised when police pulled up to the home of Eugene Shier, also known as Bill. Some in the North Austin community where he lives circulated a notice that the man who stayed at the address was a registered sex offender.
Police say a teen told them several years ago, Shier touched him as he bathed with a friend at Shier's home. We're told Shier kept his house stocked with things children love to play with.
"He had things outside swimming pool, he had video games and so forth, and a lot of neighborhood children went and visited Mr. Shier on a regular basis during this time period several years ago," says Austin Police Detective Brett Bailey.
The arrest affidavit says Shier remembers an occasion where the boy and his friend were bathing and according to the affidavit, Shier took pictures of the two naked in the tub. Those who work with alleged abuse victims say it's not uncommon for older children to cry out they've been touched inappropriately years later. Experts say when the alleged abuse first happens it may be viewed differently by a child than an adult.
"I actually work with adults sometimes and many adults who tell me they're in their 60's and 50's and they've just told their family members," say Austin’s Center for Child Protection Director Sandra Martin.
The affidavit says Shier kept knives and swords in his bedroom that children would play with. Although Shier is a registered sex offender, police tell us he was not required to stay away from children.
Police are worried there could be more alleged victims out there and they're asking parents who know Shier to talk to their kids. If you know someone who may have been abused you're ask to call the APD child abuse hotline at 976-6880.
Michael Lovriem Arrested for Molesting 2 Children
A home break-in in the middle of the night has led to the arrest of a suspected child molester and authorities have relatives of the victim to thank for capturing the suspect. Authorities say the burglary and assault happened early Tuesday morning, in a quiet neighborhood near Wonder Valley Ranch. "I'm shocked. You don't expect that to happen around here. That's not what we moved up here for," said neighbor Roger Landucci.
Investigators say 32 year old Michael Lovriem broke into a home on Live Oak Drive early Tuesday morning and molested two young children while the family slept. "During the assault, one of the older brothers woke up and had seen Lovriem kneeling over one of the children. He basically alerted everyone else in the family and Lovriem tried to run out of the house," said Fresno County Sheriff's Dept. Spokesperson Chris Curtice.
Deputies say the victims' brother and father chased and caught Lovriem in front of a neighbor's house, where they held him until deputies arrived. "They did the right thing. Granted, we don't want someone to put themselves in harm's way. However, if it was my daughter or my son, I'd chase them down. I think most parents would do that," said Curtice.
Neighbors describe Lovriem as developmentally disabled and say he had been seen wandering around the neighborhood, even peeking into vacant homes. Still, they never thought he'd be capable of such a disturbing crime.
"He is lucky. He is lucky he got out of there the way he did. Because if it would have been someone else, he'd been down ... If someone breaks into my home, I couldn't guarantee their life," said Landucci.
Michael Lovriem is facing felony charges of burglary and sexual assault but the investigation continues, and deputies say more charges may follow.
Investigators say 32 year old Michael Lovriem broke into a home on Live Oak Drive early Tuesday morning and molested two young children while the family slept. "During the assault, one of the older brothers woke up and had seen Lovriem kneeling over one of the children. He basically alerted everyone else in the family and Lovriem tried to run out of the house," said Fresno County Sheriff's Dept. Spokesperson Chris Curtice.
Deputies say the victims' brother and father chased and caught Lovriem in front of a neighbor's house, where they held him until deputies arrived. "They did the right thing. Granted, we don't want someone to put themselves in harm's way. However, if it was my daughter or my son, I'd chase them down. I think most parents would do that," said Curtice.
Neighbors describe Lovriem as developmentally disabled and say he had been seen wandering around the neighborhood, even peeking into vacant homes. Still, they never thought he'd be capable of such a disturbing crime.
"He is lucky. He is lucky he got out of there the way he did. Because if it would have been someone else, he'd been down ... If someone breaks into my home, I couldn't guarantee their life," said Landucci.
Michael Lovriem is facing felony charges of burglary and sexual assault but the investigation continues, and deputies say more charges may follow.
Pastor Steve Richardson Charged with Possession of Child Porn on Church Computer
A former Texas pastor who admitted having more than 600 images of child pornography on his church computer has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.
The U.S. attorney's office in Dallas says 36-year-old Steve Richardson was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay.
The former pastor of First United Methodist Church in Royse City pleaded guilty in March to one count of transporting and shipping child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Prosecutors say Richardson sent a sexually explicit image of a child to an undercover federal agent in Seattle and requested comparable images.
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The U.S. attorney's office in Dallas says 36-year-old Steve Richardson was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay.
The former pastor of First United Methodist Church in Royse City pleaded guilty in March to one count of transporting and shipping child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Prosecutors say Richardson sent a sexually explicit image of a child to an undercover federal agent in Seattle and requested comparable images.
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Susanne Means Accused of Burning Boy with Cooking Pan (FOUND NOT GUILTY)
A longtime Allen teacher stands accused of using a cooking pan to burn the buttocks of a 14-year-old disabled boy in early 2008.
A Collin County grand jury indicted Susanne Means earlier this month on a charge of injury to a child, a first-degree felony.
The indictment says she knowingly caused serious bodily injury to the boy, using a cooking pan and also an unknown object. The incident is alleged to have occurred at Lowery Freshman Center, an Allen ISD school.
Means denied harming the boy when interviewed by police on March 13, 2008, a police affidavit shows.
She could not be reached Monday.
Means, 45, was a special education teacher at Lowery when the allegation surfaced in early March 2008.
She was reassigned from classroom teaching on March 12, 2008, and worked in the administration building in the last school year, said Kent Turner, chief human resources officer for Allen ISD.
Turner said Means resigned from the district earlier this month. She had worked for Allen ISD since 1997.
An Allen police affidavit filed on July 9, 2008, says Means caused burns to the boy, and describes him as "mentally challenged."
The affidavit says the boy's father became aware of the boy's injuries in early March 2008 and took him to a physician.
The physician found a 12-inch diameter "scald" in a circular pattern on the buttocks. The boy later told an interviewer that the teacher applied a hot pan once to each of his buttocks, the affidavit says.
The investigating officer found her classroom included a kitchen that had a stove and "various cookware," the affidavit says.
The affidavit also says Means failed a polygraph test administered by a U.S. Secret Service agent.
Means was booked into the Collin County Detention Center on July 30, 2008, and posted bail the same day. An Allen police spokeswoman said she did not know why nearly a year passed before the grand jury returned an indictment.
__________________________
New Information as of 7/21/2011
""QUOTE":
Susanne Means was found NOT GUILTY today. You may verify this through the Crimes Against Children Court of Collin County, Texas. Furthermore, a family friend most likely coached the victim to falsely name Mrs. Means who was a dedicated and compassionate special education teacher for years. This false accusation has caused her family over 3 years of unimaginable anguish and suffering, has cost them tens of thousands of dollars, and ruined the retirement she worked so hard towards. Worst of all, because of this careless, baseless and evil accusation, she understandably has no desire to teach again. That is a damn shame for the many children who would have had a wonderful teacher."
A Collin County grand jury indicted Susanne Means earlier this month on a charge of injury to a child, a first-degree felony.
The indictment says she knowingly caused serious bodily injury to the boy, using a cooking pan and also an unknown object. The incident is alleged to have occurred at Lowery Freshman Center, an Allen ISD school.
Means denied harming the boy when interviewed by police on March 13, 2008, a police affidavit shows.
She could not be reached Monday.
Means, 45, was a special education teacher at Lowery when the allegation surfaced in early March 2008.
She was reassigned from classroom teaching on March 12, 2008, and worked in the administration building in the last school year, said Kent Turner, chief human resources officer for Allen ISD.
Turner said Means resigned from the district earlier this month. She had worked for Allen ISD since 1997.
An Allen police affidavit filed on July 9, 2008, says Means caused burns to the boy, and describes him as "mentally challenged."
The affidavit says the boy's father became aware of the boy's injuries in early March 2008 and took him to a physician.
The physician found a 12-inch diameter "scald" in a circular pattern on the buttocks. The boy later told an interviewer that the teacher applied a hot pan once to each of his buttocks, the affidavit says.
The investigating officer found her classroom included a kitchen that had a stove and "various cookware," the affidavit says.
The affidavit also says Means failed a polygraph test administered by a U.S. Secret Service agent.
Means was booked into the Collin County Detention Center on July 30, 2008, and posted bail the same day. An Allen police spokeswoman said she did not know why nearly a year passed before the grand jury returned an indictment.
__________________________
New Information as of 7/21/2011
""QUOTE":
Susanne Means was found NOT GUILTY today. You may verify this through the Crimes Against Children Court of Collin County, Texas. Furthermore, a family friend most likely coached the victim to falsely name Mrs. Means who was a dedicated and compassionate special education teacher for years. This false accusation has caused her family over 3 years of unimaginable anguish and suffering, has cost them tens of thousands of dollars, and ruined the retirement she worked so hard towards. Worst of all, because of this careless, baseless and evil accusation, she understandably has no desire to teach again. That is a damn shame for the many children who would have had a wonderful teacher."
Marvin Manganaan Arrested for Sex Crimes
A 32-year-old youth racquetball coach has been arrested on suspicion of sex crimes against children, and investigators are calling for possible victims to come forward.
Officer Pete Smith, a police spokesman, said that last week a boy reported that Marvin Baclig Manganaan, 32, had tried to persuade him to take inappropriate photographs. The boy refused and went to police, who then served a search warrant at Manganaan’s home.
Smith said during the search investigators learned Manganaan had frequent contact with children in his role as a coach of competitive youth racquetball. Smith said police also found photographs and video depicting Manganaan molesting children.
“Until we identify the juveniles in all of those still or moving pictures, we don’t have any more details,” Smith said.
The Police Department has established a dedicated hotline for victims to contact investigators. Anyone with information is asked to call the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-7091.
“We saw the potential there for a lot of people either wanting to provide information or to come forward,” Smith said. “We wanted to have a fluid channel of contact.”
Manganaan is being held in the San Joaquin County Jail on $1 million bail. He was booked on suspicion of contacting minors with the intent to commit a sexual offense, possession of child pornography and using a minor to perform prohibited acts. He was scheduled to appear in court today.
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