Harvey Weinstein’s House of Cards Is Falling
by REBECCA KEEGAN
It’s Friday, and I’m feeling glad I’ve never worked for Harvey Weinstein
HURRICANE HARVEY
A storm has been brewing around Harvey Weinstein for years. On Thursday, the storm made landfall in a jaw-dropping New York Times story by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, chronicling decades of sexual harassment allegations from former employees, actresses, and film industry workers. Weinstein’s response to the allegations—including Ashley Judd saying the producer had cornered her in a hotel room, asked her to give him a massage, then requested that she watch him take a shower—was bizarre. As V.F.’s Hillary Busis writes, after giving a lengthy, quasi-contrite statement to the Times about being a “better person,” the Weinstein Co. co-chairman then told Page Six he was suing the newspaper for $50 million for “reckless reporting,” and planned to reach out to Judd, who “is going through a tough time right now.”
Meanwhile, his company’s board was scrambling, gathering on Thursday night to discuss the fate of its co-founder. Also managing the fallout are the many Democratic politicians Weinstein supported, some of whom, including Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, are turning over his donations to charity.
Weinstein is currently on a leave of absence from his company, and the many filmmakers who have worked with him are grappling with what that partnership means. Few are in as peculiar a position as Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick, whose 2015 Oscar-nominated rape documentary, The Hunting Ground, Weinstein distributed. “For the first time in our lifetimes, blame is finally shifting from victims to perpetrators,” Ziering told V.F.’s Nicole Sperling, speaking of the general cultural shift at hand.
“For the first time in our lifetimes, blame is finally shifting
from victims to perpetrators,” Amy Ziering
Amid the controversy surrounding Harvey Weinstein, Weinstein Co. has "decided to withdraw" from Outfest's Legacy Awards, where the company was set to be honored as a corporate trailblazer by the LGBTQ festival later this month.
Weinstein Co. was originally selected for the corporate honor "for its innovative portrayal of the LGBT community" in film, a previous news release said. It has released award-winning pictures such as "Carol," "The Imitation Game," "Philomena" and "Transamerica."
The funds from the gala, which started 12 years ago, support the Outfest UCLA Legacy Project, which preserves LGBTQ moving images.
Glee actor Mark Salling admits possessing
child sex abuse images
Former Glee actor Mark Salling has pleaded guilty to possession of images of child sex abuse.
The actor was arrested in 2015 after a tip off he was in possession of images of children being sexually abused. Investigators eventually found thousands of images on his laptop and hard drive.
Salling was charged with two counts of receiving and possessing images of child sexual abuse in May 2016, and faced a possible 20 years behind bars. But documents obtained by several outlets show he has entered into a plea deal with California's district attorney.
As part of the agreement, Salling will be subject to 20 years supervised release and will have strict restrictions placed on his contact with under-18s, according to celebrity website TMZ.
Salling played bad-boy football player Noah "Puck" Puckerman on the hit US show Glee from 2009 to 2015.
Teacher arrested for sexual abuse of teen student
SILVER SPRING, Md. - A Montgomery County substitute teacher has been arrested after police say he was involved in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student.
Montgomery County police say detectives began investigating 27-year-old Cory Boatman on Sept. 22 after it was reported that he was engaging in the sexual relationship with the teenage victim who attends Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring.
According to investigators, Boatman met the 16-year-old victim while he was working at the school as a substitute teacher and assistant football coach at Blair. The girl told investigators that Boatman began sending suggestive text messages to her in early August. Later that month, Boatman picked her up at her home and drove her to his residence where they had sexual intercourse.
Illinois Man Sexually Abused Child Under 13
By Shannon Antinori (Patch National Staff)
CREST HILL, IL — Bond was set at $5 million for a Plainfield man accused of sexually abusing a child. Humberto Herrera Jr., 27, of the 1200 block of Blue Jay Lane was arrested Thursday on one charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under age 13 and three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under age 13, all felonies.
Herrera appeared in Will County court on Friday and was unable to post the 10 percent bond needed to secure his release, according to court records.
Crest Hill Police Chief Ed Clark told the Herald-News that Herrera's arrest came after police were tipped off to the abuse by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Police said Herrera is accused of sexually abusing a child who is a family member.
Herrera, who previously pleaded guilty to a 2008 retail theft charge in Joliet, is due back in court Oct. 20.
Alleged child predators arrested, including suspected hands-on offender
Attorney General Jeff Landry's Cyber Crime Unit has arrested three south Louisiana men on multiple charges of child exploitation, including alleged molestation of a juvenile.
"The victimization of children should infuriate all of us and shake us to the core," said General Landry. "My office and I will keep doing all we can to bring justice to the despicable who prey upon our State's most innocent."
Arthur Thiel, 42 of Houma, was arrested on 150 counts of possession of sexual abuse images/videos of children (under the age of 13), three counts of distribution of sexual abuse images/videos of children, two counts of production of sexual abuse images/videos of children, and two counts of molestation of a juvenile. He was arrested and booked into the Terrebonne Parish Jail, as a fugitive from Lafourche Parish, following a joint investigation by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) Cyber Crime Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office.
Timothy Billiot, 49 of Morgan City, was arrested on 10 counts of possession of sexual abuse images/videos of children (under the age of 13), five counts of possession of sexual abuse images/videos of children, and one count of distribution of sexual abuse images/videos of children. He was booked into the St. Mary Parish Jail following a joint investigation between the LBI Cyber Crime Unit, HSI, the St. Mary Sheriff's Office, and the Louisiana Probation and Parole, Thibodaux Field Office.
Colby Babin, 27 of Gheens, was arrested on one count of sexual abuse images/videos of children (under the age of 13). He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Jail following a joint investigation between the LBI Cyber Crime Unit, HSI, and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office.
"These arrests were made possible through partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement leaders," said General Landry. "We will continue these collaborate efforts to make our communities safer."
General Landry is asking the public to please call the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation at 800-256-4506 if they have information or concerns regarding any of these alleged perpetrators. Callers do not have to give their names.
PA Man Facing Child Porn And
Sexual Abuse Of Children Charges
By Patricia A. Miller (Patch Staff)
HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA — A Seaside Heights man downloaded and shared child pornography videos from his mother's home in Huntingdon Valley, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced.
Eric D. MacAfee, 41, of Seaside Heights faces felony charges of dissemination of child pornography, sexual abuse of children, and related counts, the DA's office said.
An investigation began on July 5, when Abington Township detectives used electronic surveillance to uncover a computer using a file sharing network specifically designed to anonymously share files, according to authorities.
When undercover detectives connected to the computer in question, they received five video files showing underaged children engaged in sexual acts, police said.
An investigation ultimately traced the computer to MacAfee's mother's home in Huntingdon Valley, the DA's office said. MacAfee was not there when police arrived. He was arrested in Seaside Heights on Oct. 4 and his computer was seized.
His bail was set at $75,000. He was remanded to Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post bail. A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 13.
Huntingdon Valley, PA
Boy Scout volunteer accused of sex crimes
involving children
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Spring man is accused of multiple sexual crimes involving children.
Ulf Lueders, 41, faces a charge of online solicitation of a minor for an incident that allegedly took place on August 16. According to court documents, Lueders is accused of contacting a teen online in order to have sex.
Additionally, Lueders is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child. The abuse reportedly happened in June 2010, involving a child younger than age 14, according to court documents. Another instance from January 2014 accuses Lueders of aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Lueders reportedly was a volunteer with the Boy Scout organization, but they have since severed ties.
The youth organization issued the following statement from Tom Varnell, CEO/Scout Executive, Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America:
"The behavior included in these allegations is abhorrent and runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands. We were shocked to learn of these allegations and took immediate action to remove this individual and prohibit him from any future participation in our programs."
"The BSA has a dedicated 24-hour 'Scouts First Helpline' (844-726-8871) available to encourage reporting any concerning behaviors or suspected inappropriate activity.
"The BSA offers assistance with counseling to any Scout, former Scout, or the family member of any Scout who suffered abuse during their time in Scouting. Individuals can contact the toll-free helpline (855-295-1531) or email scouthelp@scouting.org for these sensitive matters."
Missouri man accused of child sexual abuse
by Amber Ruch,
SIKESTON, MO (KFVS) -
A man formerly from Florida and currently living in Sikeston, Missouri is accused of child sexual abuse.
Alan Green, 43, is being held in the Scott County Jail for statutory sodomy - first, unclassified felony and 2nd, D felony, child molestation - first A felony and 2nd B felony and for sexual misconduct involving a child, E felony.
His bond was set at $100,000 cash.
On Sunday, October 1, Sikeston DPS detectives and investigators with the Missouri Children's Division conducted a hotline investigation.
The allegations against Green were sexual in nature. Investigators interviewed the complainant and Green. He was later arrested.
Man indicted on sexual abuse charges involving a juvenile
By WSAZ News Staff
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ky. -- A man is facing charges after sexually abusing a child.
Thomas Dalton, 35, of Louisa, is charged with 1st degree sexual abuse of a victim under 12 years old and being a persistent felony offender.
According to Kentucky State Police, they received a report in October 2015 involving a female child. An investigation began and an arrest warrant was issued in June 2016.
Troopers say the suspect couldn't be found at first, but he was eventually arrested.
The case was bound to a grand jury where he was indicted. Troopers say the case is still ongoing at this time.
Dalton is being held in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
Louisiana counselor enters not guilty plea to
child sex abuse
By: Nancy Cook
SHREVEPORT, La. - A local marriage and family counselor facing charges on two counts of child sexual abuse appeared in Caddo District Court Wednesday.
Dr. Robert Minniear, 84, who is being held in Caddo Correctional Center on $350,000 bond, appeared before Caddo District Judge Ramona Emanuel and pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Minniear, who was an elementary school teacher at St. Pius X Catholic School in Shreveport in the 60s before earning his advanced degrees, was taken into custody and charged with one count of Sexual Molestation of a Juvenile, after a warrant for his arrest was obtained by the Shreveport Police Sex Crimes Unit.
The warrant was issued following an investigation into allegations that an adult male had repeatedly assaulted a juvenile over a period of several months. Statements and evidence gathered during the investigation identified Minniear as the suspect.
Minniear was released on $200,000 bond on August 26, only to be re-arrested on Sept. 28 and charged with Sexual Battery, after investigators obtained a warrant when another victim came forward. That warrant was issued on allegations Minniear touched a juvenile in an inappropriate manner on multiple occasions between 1994-1997.
His next court date is set for Nov. 27.
Child sex criminals sentenced
Lamar Co. men sentenced for separate child sex crimes
Amanda Gohn
Three Lamar County men were recently sentenced for child sex crimes. All three pleaded guilty at trial.
Douglas Stevenson, 48, was convicted of five counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and received 50 years for each count, all set to run concurrently. According to Lamar County District Attorney Gary Young, Stevenson will be eligible for parole after he has served 25 years. He was represented by Attorney Clay Johnson.
“The victim in the case was 7-years-old when the sexual abuse began,” Young said. “She told a friend who told a teacher. The teacher then reported it to law enforcement.”
Young said Stevenson was interviewed about the sexual abuse and confessed. The case was investigated by Lamar County Sheriff’s Office detectives Johnathan Smith and James Shanahan.
Lamar County First Assistant District Attorney Jill Drake was the lead prosecutor in the case.
Gregorio Sandoval, 45, was slapped with 35 years for one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child (4th story on link). He has an ICE hold and will be deported after he serves his sentence. He will not be eligible for parole. He was represented by Attorney Jennifer Gibo.
“The victim was 8 years old when the sexual abuse began and it continued for about a year,” Young said.
Young said the child told a friend about the abuse when she was about 12-years-old and the friend told a teacher, who then told Child Protective Services.
“It is very common for a victim to not outcry about the abuse for years,” Young said. “Sandoval was interviewed and admitted to most of the conduct, including attempting intercourse with the child.”
The case was investigated by Reno Police Department Detective Jeremy Massey. Kelsey Doty was the lead prosecutor in the case.
Bryan Evan Williams, 47, was convicted of three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was represented by Attorney Nick Stallings.
“He has to serve half of the sentence before he will be eligible for parole,” Young said. “The victim was 10-years-old when the sexual abuse began. Initially, Williams denied his actions, but admitted to other pieces of evidence that corroborated the victim’s allegations.”
The case was investigated by Paris Police Department Detective Chris Bean. Drake was the lead prosecutor.
“We take the prosecution of these cases very seriously. Each of these cases was a team effort between the victims and their family, the investigative agencies, the Children’s Advocacy Center who interviewed the children and the District Attorney’s Office,” Young said. “After discussing the plea offers with the victims and their family and considering their best interests, we agreed to make the above plea offers. We consider it a victory any time we can keep a child from testifying to horrifying facts in front of complete strangers.”
These seem like pretty decent plea deals. It's not often I can say that!
Lamar Co., TX
Wayne County Couple Sentenced in
Child Sex Abuse Case
HONESDALE -- A couple from Wayne County were sentenced on Thursday for sexually abusing two children.
Michael Schwartz was sentenced to 12 years, five months to 45 years in jail.
Jamie Lynn Schwartz was sentenced to 11 years to 40 years in prison.
The couple also must register as sex offenders for the rest of their lives.
The couple was found guilty in July after a witness testified about the sexual abuse of two boys at the Schwartz home near Beach Lake in 2013 and 2014.
Man sentenced to 6 years in prison for child sex abuse
By FOX 12
OREGON CITY, OR (KPTV) -
A former Portland man was sentenced to over 6 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to child sex abuse.
In May of 2014, Oregon City Police Detectives began investigating a sexual abuse case that happened over an extended period of time.
Police said Ryan Phillip Fridlund was identified as the suspect, and the victim was 4-years old when the sexual abuse began.
Fridlund was indicted by a Grand Jury in January 2017 on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse.
On Wednesday, Fridlund pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree sex abuse. He was sentenced to 75 months in prison.
The victim was 4 y/o when it started; it happened over an extended period of time; and he gets 6 years? Seriously? The child will be 10 years old when the pervert gets out on bail. The victim gets to go through puberty half terrified of running into this creep. Good grief! I just praised plea deals above, but this stinks.
Oregon City, OR
Abuse on demand: Elderly man funded
child rape overseas
Washington man sentenced for financing
the rape of Filipino children
By Levi Pulkkinen, SeattlePI
A Washington man who paid impoverished Filipinos to sexually abuse children on video has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison.
Joseph Grubbs, 69, previously admitted to receiving child rape videos produced in the Philippines at his request. The Camano Island resident received the disturbing images and videos by email, and watched live webcasts of the abuse.
“The depravity of this defendant’s conduct is beyond words,” U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes said in a statement. “He took advantage of poverty in a country half a world away to facilitate the sexual abuse of children. The result was the perpetuation of a vicious cycle of abuse and victimization that harmed the most vulnerable among us.”
Grubbs was arrested in July 2016 after he was outed to the FBI by Yahoo. Several Yahoo users in the Philippines were using the company’s email and instant messaging services to sexually exploit children.
“Joseph Vernon Grubbs paid people in the Philippines to sexually exploit minors and send him images and videos of that sexual abuse,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hampton said in court papers. “He used the desperation of people living under extreme economic deprivation to satisfy his own sexual appetites.”
Prior to his arrest, Grubbs traveled frequently to the Philippines, living there for six months out of the year. Grubbs had been dating a woman there who had a young daughter.
According to a defense statement, Grubbs served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and first visited the Philippines while serving. Grubbs contended he first “discovered” child pornography while frequenting Filipino chatrooms, and ultimately live-streamed child sexual abuse occurring there.
“No child has ever accused him of sexual misconduct, and there is no reason to believe that Mr. Grubbs was in search of child pornography when he developed his interest,” Assistant Public Defender Corey Endo said in court papers. “Mr. Grubbs is not the monster the government makes him out to be.”
Pfft! What's the difference if you decide to search for child porn or accidentally stumble upon it. Decency dictates that you immediately close the images and never put yourself in that situation again. Grubbs didn't do that; he allowed the temptation to fester and sin, as it usually does, progresses. It should not matter in the least why you started watching child porn, only that you do.
Hampton noted that Grubbs admitted following his arrest that he had been collecting child pornography for years. The prosecutor also pointed out that Grubbs did not stop collecting child pornography until the FBI intervened.
There's a unit of the FBI that works with local and state partners to help protect, and in some cases, save children. They say they're seeing an increase in child pornography cases.
By the time investigators got to him, Grubbs was living in an RV on a property in Stanwood. He resided in Mount Vernon for most of the prosecution.
Grubbs was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Thomas Zilly. Grubbs was ordered to remain under court supervision for 15 years following his release from prison.
Eureka man arrested on multiple charges of
sexual abuse on a child
Geneva Peppars
EUREKA, Calif. - A Eureka man has been arrested on multiple charges of sexual abuse on a child, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said after a month-long investigation, John Robert Beideman, 57, was arrested at his home in Myrtletown.
Beideman was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, sexual intercourse/sodomy with a child 10 years or younger, lewd acts with a child under the age of 14, and forcible lewd act upon a child.
Rhea County, Tenn., couple charged in
child sex abuse case
by Ben Benton
Dustin Ault, 37, is charged with three counts of child rape, two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and five counts in relation to other sex crimes. His wife, 37-year-old Michala Ault, is charged with child endangerment and child abuse and neglect for allegedly having knowledge of the abuse but not reporting it, Rhea County Sheriff's Office investigator Rocky Potter said.
"I've been working on the case for maybe a month, but it's been happening for the past few years," Potter said Thursday.
The victim told a friend's mother and a school counselor and they both notified authorities, Potter said.
State Department of Children's Services officials were notified and the victim was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center in Chattanooga.
The victim "gave great detail about the assault and details about assaults ..." Potter said. Investigators also were able to recover some forensic evidence, he said.
Potter said the victim was doing "really well," and noted that authorities are also talking with the child's sibling.
Dustin Ault is being held on $150,000 bond and Michala Ault is being held on $20,000 bond, officials said. Officials said the Aults face an initial hearing today in Rhea County Circuit Court before Judge Justin Angel.
Rhea Co., TN
Police: Concord man had child sexual abuse
images on computer
By ALYSSA DANDREA
CONCORD NH
A Concord man faces a dozen counts of possession of child sexual abuse images.
Steve Stylianou, 70, was arrested at his home Wednesday afternoon after a seven-month long investigation, Concord police Lt. Sean Ford said. He noted that additional charges could be forthcoming against Stylianou.
Police began their investigation in February after a local business, whose employees were conducting work on Stylianou’s computer, found the “concerning images involving children,” Ford wrote in a news release. Police seized and later searched the computer.
Stylianou refused the services of a bail commissioner following his arrest. He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon in Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord.
Police ask anyone with information about the case to contact Ford at 225-8600 or the Concord Regional Crimeline 226-3100.
Texas man charged with child sexual abuse
of girl under 6 y/o
By KRISTIN HOPPA
A Woodway man accused of sexually abusing a young girl was transferred to McLennan County Jail after he was arrested in Austin late last month.
After interviews and investigation, Waco police determined the alleged abuse happened once in Waco and obtained an arrest warrant, Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said.
Lafleur was arrested by Austin police Sept. 27 for an unknown reason and was later transferred to McLennan County Jail on the Waco charge. He remained jailed Wednesday afternoon with bond listed at $500,000.
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