Team USA doctor pleads guilty to molesting gymnasts, faces 25-40 years in prison
A doctor accused of molesting Team USA female gymnasts has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of sexual assault and faces 25 years in prison. He also faces separate accusations of sexual abuse and a sentence on charges of child pornography.
Larry Nassar, 54, faces charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for molesting several girls. Nassar was accused of molesting the girls under the guise of providing treatment in his Lansing, Michigan home and at the Michigan State University clinic.
Among those Nassar is accused of molesting are Team USA gymnasts Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, and McKayla Maroney. All but one of the girls and women who allege abuse are gymnasts.
Raisman revealed that she had been molested in a CBS News 60 Minutes interview on November 10. She was captain of the teams that won gold medals for the United States at the London and Rio Olympics in 2012 and 2016.
“I am angry,” Raisman said. “I’m really upset because I care a lot, when I see these young girls that come up to me, and they ask for pictures or autographs, whatever it is, every time I look at them, every time I see them smiling, I just think I just want to create change so that they never, ever have to go through this.”
Maroney, also a member of the 2012 team, said in October that Nassar began molesting her at age 13. She claimed Nasser molested her in his hotel room at the 2011 World Championships in Tokyo after giving her a sleeping pill.
“For me, the scariest night of my life happened when I was 15 years old. I had flown all day and night with the team to get to Tokyo. He’d given me a sleeping pill for the flight, and the next thing I know, I was all alone with him in his hotel room getting a ‘treatment.’ I thought I was going to die that night,” Maroney wrote on Twitter, before her account was deactivated.
On Monday, Douglas said that Nassar molested her too. She did not provide details.
“We want to work with Aly and all interested athletes to keep athletes safe,” USA Gymnastics said, adding that it has adopted a new policy that requires the reporting of suspicions of sexual abuse. “We are appalled by the conduct of which Larry Nassar is accused, and we are very sorry that any athlete has been harmed during his or her gymnastics career.”
Nasser’s plea deal requires a minimum prison sentence of 25 years, but a judge could set the sentence as high as 40 years. The doctor is also being sued by more than 125 women and girls in neighboring counties who have alleged sexual abuse. He has denied the charges.
The former sports doctor pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in July and is scheduled to be sentenced in December. Federal agents seized computer equipment from Nassar's home and office and found tens of thousands of images of child pornography.
New Hampshire man convicted of
child sex abuse of 8 y/o girl
PORTLAND -- William Gaudet, 51, formerly of Wells, was convicted last week following a four-day jury trial in U.S. District Court of transporting a minor interstate intending to engage in criminal sexual activity and interstate travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
According to court records and trial evidence, on two occasions during the summer of 2010, Gaudet traveled between Maine and Pennsylvania with an eight-year-old child intending to engage in sexual activity with her. On both occasions, he sexually assaulted the child, investigators said. The investigation began in 2014 after the child reported the abuse. In 2012, Gaudet was convicted in New Hampshire Superior Court for sexually assaulting another minor in 2001 and 2005.
Gaudet faces between 10 years and life in prison on the transportation charge and up to 30 years in prison on the travel charge. He also faces a $250,000 fine on each count. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Biddeford, Gorham, Kennebunk, Wells, Wakefield (New Hampshire) and Pocono Township (Pennsylvania) Police Departments; the New Hampshire Correctional Facility; the Carroll County (New Hampshire) Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
South Idaho man sentenced to 30 years
for child sex abuse of 9 y/o girl
CALDWELL, Idaho (AP) — A Nampa man was sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl last year.
The Idaho Press-Tribune reports 39-year-old Alfred Carpentier was arrested in October 2016, and a jury earlier this year found him guilty of lewd conduct with a child, sexual abuse of a minor and possession of a controlled substance.
As part of the sentence on Tuesday, Carpentier was ordered to register as a sex offender, submit a DNA sample for the Idaho database and have no unsupervised contact with any minors for the duration of the sentence. Carpentier was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine plus court costs.
Montana man accused of sex abuse of
two young girls
Seaborn Larson, slarson@greatfallstribune.com
A 37-year-old Great Falls man charged with sexually abusing two young girls told police he doesn't remember the abuse but doesn't think the girl would lie about it, according to court documents.
Matthew Farrar is charged with sexual abuse of children, which carries a possible 100-year prison sentence and a $50,000 fine.
A child protection specialist on Nov. 21 reported to Great Falls police that a 12-year-old girl had disclosed Farrar's abuse of her and her sister, age 14.
According to court documents, Farrar was previously convicted in California for indecent exposure, although a date is not given for the charge.
Prosecutors requested his bail be set at $50,000, and that he not be permitted to have any contact with children under the age of 18 if released.
Additional charges for upstate NY man
in child sex abuse case
by Lynzi DeLuccia
KINGSBURY, NY (WRGB) A warning from the Washington County Sheriff's Department about a man who is once again at the center of a sex abuse investigation. Officials say all of Robert Middleton's alleged victims are minors, and a new one came forward recently, warranting the indictment of these charges - sex abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, and compounding a crime.
"As the story has developed, more and more people have come forward."
Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan says the newest person to accuse Kingsbury resident Robert Middleton, 63, of sexual abuse is just an addition to an 18-count indictment Middleton was arraigned on over the summer - and released on.
"The judge set bail at $100,000 cash $500,000 bail and that's pretty significant bail," Jordan said.
But he says Middleton paid that bail quickly - and showed up to each court hearing. That's why on Tuesday, when more charges came up, Middleton was arraigned and released without having to post bail. Jordan says a big factor was that the latest incident did not occur when Middleton was out in bail, but much earlier.
"Had the incident occurred after the indictment while he was out on bail, that would have been a different story," he said.
Middleton was however released with restrictions - an order not have contact of any kind with any minors. Jordan says the judge could have set bail again, but if Middleton posted it again, he'd be out with no restrictions.
Investigator Greg Danio with the Washington county sheriff's department is leading this investigation. They believe there are more people who may be victims.
"If anybody else has had contact or believe their family members have had contact with me Middleton we would entourage them to contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office."
Officials tell us Middleton is actually a registered sexual offender in the state of California from a crime many years ago that did not require him to register as one here in New York. He's due back for these latest charges in January but again officials are asking anyone else effected to contact them immediately.
Kingsbury, NY
Florida Police arrest babysitter wanted for
child sexual abuse
MARIANNA, Fla. (WTXL) - A Marianna man wanted by police for molesting a victim under the age of 12 has been arrested.
The Marianna Police Department says Michael Curry was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon. They say he was wanted on two active warrants for failure to appear and lewd or lascivious molestation.
According to a probable cause document, the victim's mother reported the crime on Nov. 17. Documents say Curry was supposed to be watching the child when the incident occurred.
Curry was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim under the age of 12.
Marianna Police are still searching for a second man, Quinton Beckwith, who is wanted for violating probation and misuse of 911.
If you see Beckwith, please call Marianna police at (850) 526 - 3125.
Investigators arrested Alabama woman for
sex abuse of child under 12
Posted By: Greg Privett and Brittany Collins
A Guntersville woman arrested earlier this week for sexual abuse of a child had her first court hearing.
The judge issued her a $500,000.00 bond.
Anna Marie Gomez has been arrested for sex abuse of a child under the age of 12.
According to the Distrct Attorneys office, other agencies in another state were investigating someone for a sex abuse case. That suspect and Gomez were chatting on a messaging app about child pornagraphy regarding a 6-year-old.
The Marshall County sheriff's office says it’s working with the Marshall County District Attorney’s Office, Guntersville police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. And they won't release more details because they have more interviews to complete.
Gomez will likely face federal charges as well, according to the sheriff's office.
WAAY 31 spoke with neighbors. They said they're shocked because Gomez played with the neighborhood kids and also watched them.
Anna Gomez has a preliminary court hearing on January 3, 2018 at 9 am.
$11M Verdict Awarded in Child Abuse Lawsuit
By P.J. Dannunzio
A Philadelphia jury has handed down an $11 million verdict to a girl who was sent by an adoption agency to live with a couple that subjected her to physical and sexual abuse in their foster home.
The award was handed down in favor of S.S., now 22 years old, who sued Bethanna Inc. and foster parents Walter and Deborah Scott (8th story on link). The award was broken down into $10 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages solely against the Scotts. Bethanna is responsible for 10 percent of the verdict.
“This verdict sends a clear message that crimes and abuse perpetuated upon our children will not be tolerated. Our client’s voice was finally heard,” said Nadeem Bezar of Kline & Specter, who along with Emily Marks represented S.S.
In her lawsuit, S.S. claimed that starting in 2000 and between the ages of 6 and 10 she was molested and repeatedly sexually assaulted by Walter Scott and beaten by Deborah Scott. Her court papers also noted that Walter Scott had been under investigation for child rape based on accusations from other children in the foster home, and in 2016, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and rape of a child, among other charges.
The main allegation in S.S.’s lawsuit was that Bethanna failed to sufficiently investigate the Scotts’ criminal history, which also included welfare fraud convictions.
“Defendant Bethanna’s conduct is shocking, outrageous, and demonstrated deliberate indifference to S.S.’s safety and the safety of numerous other children who were eventually placed in the Scotts’ foster home over the next decade until the home eventually closed,” S.S.’s court papers said.
She also alleged that Bethanna refused to remove her from the Scotts’ home despite reports by caseworkers that she was being abused and was in danger.
In its pretrial memorandum, Bethanna denied any negligence.
“Plaintiff’s sexual abuse at the hands of Mr. Scott, unknown to Bethanna and not contemporaneously reported to any person or agency, was not learned until plaintiff herself disclosed the abuse in August 2015,” court papers said. “She testified that one occurrence took place during the time she was fostering with the Scotts, while the other two times occurred after she had been adopted and was no longer being followed by Bethanna. At no time did any case worker, supervisor, child advocate, medical or mental health provider document any suspicions that S.S. was being physically or sexually abused.”
William L. Banton of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a statement sent by a Bethanna spokesperson, the agency said, “Bethanna is disappointed by the verdict, but more saddened by the abuse inflicted on the real victim in this case. We applaud her courage in coming forward. Our prayers and hope are for her continued healing. While we cannot comment on all of the details of this case, as litigation remains ongoing, we wish our community to understand that our agency and staff had no knowledge whatsoever of these terrible incidents, which happened over a decade ago.”
Wyoming man sent to jail for sexting his daughter
A judge on Wednesday sentenced a Casper man to a three- to seven-year prison term for sending explicit text messages and photos of himself in his underwear to a young girl.
Judge Daniel Forgey sentenced Jason Lee Park during a hearing in Natrona County District Court.
Forgey said he received letters of support for Park, but that didn't change the sentence, which was agreed upon in August when Park pleaded guilty.
If the case had gone to trial and Park was convicted, he could have been sentenced to up to 15 years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
Besides the prison term, the plea agreement included the dismissal of two additional counts of the same crime, plus fees and other requirements.
In August, Assistant District Attorney Dan Itzen cited a new criminal case in which authorities allege Park violated a protection order by threatening to hurt the victim's mother's new boyfriend.
Forgey doubled the bond amount to $50,000. Park was able to post it, but was taken into custody after the hearing Wednesday.
The case began in March when a woman contacted an agent with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. She reported her ex-husband, Park, was sending disturbing text messages to her 13-year-old daughter.
It is not clear if Park was the girl's father or step-father. He deserves more than he got in either case.
The woman claimed Park, who was 37 at the time, was trying to convince the victim to send Park pictures of herself in her underwear, adding that Park had already sent the victim a photo of himself in a state of arousal.
The DCI agent was familiar with Park because of an April 2016 Casper police investigation in which Park was suspected of sexually abusing a child.
An affidavit says the mother of the victim in the current case allowed agents to search the girl's cell phone. Agents discovered text messages between Park and the victim dating back to Nov. 1.
Park's number was saved in the victim's phone under "Chimo Jason."
Iowa man arrested on child sexual abuse
of 3 kids aged 4-7
JEFF REINITZ jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com
NASHUA --- A rural Nashua man has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with children in 2013.
Chickasaw County sheriff’s deputies arrested William Maurice Dooly, 38, of 3065 Addison Blvd., for three counts of second-degree sexual abuse. His bond was set at $25,000.
The incidents happened in the summer of 2013, and the victims include one girl and two boys who were between the ages of 4 and 7 at the time, according to court records. Dooly is accused of touching the children in the bathroom of a camper at his home, records state.
One of the children told interviewers he was told to keep the incident a secret and Dooly had threatened him with a gun, records state.
Court records show Dooly was arrested in March 2014 on a charge of indecent contact with a child for an incident that happened in December 2013. He pleaded guilty to an amended charge of misdemeanor assault in June 2015 and was sentenced to 10 days in jail, record state.
10 days! For indecent contact with a child? How pathetic!
Former Tulsa Zoo train conductor pleads guilty to child sex abuse of 8 or 9 y/o, & child porn charges
BY KFOR-TV & K. QUERRY
TULSA, Okla. – A former employee at the Tulsa Zoo will spend three decades in prison after pleading guilty to several charges.
On Dec. 9, authorities say 65-year-old Kim Bowman was arrested on complaints of possession of child pornography after officers served a warrant at Bowman’s home.
Investigators say Bowman had more than 100 pornographic images of children on electronic devices in his home.
Officials say Bowman was a part-time train conductor at the Tulsa Zoo.
Zoo officials say that when Bowman was hired in 2015, he passed all background checks. After learning about the allegations, the Tulsa Zoo suspended Bowman immediately.
However, officers soon learned that there was much more to the case than just pornography.
Bowman was charged with child sex abuse after he admitted to having sexual contact with a young child. Authorities learned that the victim, who was about 8 or 9-years-old, was someone he met outside of the zoo.
On Nov. 16, Bowman pleaded guilty to one count each of child sexual abuse against a person under 12, aggravated possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.
A judge imposed two 30-year sentences, and one 20-year sentence for the charges. However, the sentences will run concurrently, according to the Tulsa World.
Maryland step-father found guilty of child sex abuse
By Joy Shrum
La Plata, MD – After two previous mistrials, a Charles County jury has found a New Carrolton man guilty of child sexual abuse.
Donald McCoy Stancell, 39, was convicted after a two day trial in which the jurors were presented with testimony from the victim, her mother and several expert witnesses.
Charles County State’s Attorney Sarah Freeman called the victim to the stand and the now 19 year old told jurors about sexual abuse she suffered for nearly three years from her step-father. She told the jury the abuse started when she was around 14 years old but she didn’t report it until November of 2015 when she was 17 years old.
The victim testified that Stancell would barter with her in exchange for sexual favors, including the purchase of clothes and make-up as well as the use of her cell phone. She told the court the two had sex in several places in their Waldorf home, as well as in his vehicle.
The abuse came to light when the victim, a student at McDonough High School, was questioned about bruising on her leg. She told a counselor at the school it was caused by Stancell. She later admitted he did not cause the bruising but he had been sexually abusing her.
After the sex abuse was reported, the victim was taken to Charles County Regional Medical Center where she underwent a physical examination by a forensic nurse.
Charles County police searched the victim’s home to collect evidence, including underwear the victim had been wearing two days earlier when Stancell forced her to have sex with him in exchange for phone privileges.
When detectives interviewed the victim, she also described several scars on or near Stancell’s genital area and the jury was shown those scars. Freeman said to the jury, “no child should have that knowledge of scars on her step-father’s genital region.”
The victim’s mother, who is now divorced from Stancell, also testified during the trial and admitted to having problems with her daughter, including several attempts to run away from home, getting high and threats of suicide. She told the court her husband said to her on the phone, “he should have known better, he was the adult.” During cross-examination Stancell’s defense attorney, Thomas Mooney, questioned whether that was an admission of guilt.
During day two of the trial, evidence was presented by Julie Kempton, a forensic scientist at the Maryland State Police crime lab. She testified that she tested the underwear that was collected at the victim’s house and found both female and male DNA. Kempton also testified that the sample tested matched Stancell’s DNA profile and the evidence was consistent with a man who has had a vasectomy, which Stancell is confirmed to have had. The DNA profile concluded that Stancell could not be excluded from results.
The only two other males in the household with the same male DNA were the victim’s younger brothers who were just seven and nine years old when the investigation was taking place.
The jury took less than 15 minutes to deliberate the case before returning the guilty verdict. Stancell was taken into custody and is scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 20, 2018.
Stancell is scheduled to stand trial on Feb. 26, 2018 on seven counts of possession of child pornography.
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