NYPD: Man Sexually Abused 5-Year-Old Girl,
May Have Attacked Other Children
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The NYPD says it has arrested a man who allegedly sexually abused a 5-year-old girl.
The department now wants to know if there are other victims.
Police say at around 5 p.m. on May 16, Abraham Samotin allegedly led the girl from her Crown Heights home to an outdoor basement stairwell and sexually abused her. The girl was taken to the hospital, treated and released.
Samotin and the victim didn’t know each other, police said.
The Jewish Community Watch learned of the attack and urged the family to report it.
Samotin was arrested at his home on Troy Avenue in Brooklyn the next day. He faces several sex crimes charges.
Anyone with information regarding other potential attacks is asked to call the NYPD’s 24-hour rape hotline at 1-212-267-7273.
All calls are kept confidential.
Congress looking into alleged sexual abuse in USA Swimming and other Olympic sports
This is great, I have been asking for this for years. I just wish they would make it a formal, comprehensive inquiry into all organized sports for children.
By ELIZABETH BROWN KAISER
Congress is looking into more alleged sexual assault of Olympic athletes beyond gymnastics – this time involving USA Swimming and other sports.
The president and CEO of USA Swimming, Tim Hinchey, testified Wednesday before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee looking into whether U.S. Olympic organizations have policies and procedures in place to protect athletes given all the recent accusations.
In his prepared testimony, Hinchey admitted his sport has been a big part of the problem since even before the gymnastics scandal.
“USA Swimming apologizes, acknowledges, and deeply regrets the abuse suffered by children, athletes, and other participants in swimming programs. Participation in sport should offer physical, social and emotional benefits, but for some, it has resulted in abuse and trauma that will negatively impact the rest of their lives,” Hinchey said.
While conceding that “child sexual abuse still occurs in swimming,” Hinchey noted in his prepared remarks that “there will be no complacency on [his] watch."
PHOTO: With members of her legal team behind her, Olympic swimmer Ariana Kukors Smith, center, talks to reporters, May 21, 2018, during a news conference in Seattle.Ted S. Warren/AP
On Monday, Olympic swimmer Ariana Kukors Smith sued USA Swimming, claiming that the organization knew that her former coach – Sean Hutchison – was sexually abusing her and attempted to mask the scandal.
After Kukors Smith made the accusations public in February, Hutchison released a statement.
“At no time did I ever abuse Ariana Kukors or do anything with her that was not consensual,” he said.
Hutchison has not been charged with any crimes at this time. Hutchison’s lawyer, Brad Meryhew, explained to The New York Times that he and his client had no response to the lawsuit following its filing on Monday. ABC News has reached out to Meryhew and is awaiting further comment.
The one-time world champion alleged that Hutchinson began assaulting her about one decade ago when she was 16 years old. Hutchinson supposedly groomed the athlete for a sexual relationship when she was just 13. She also claimed that her longtime coach, Mark Schubert, was aware of Hutchison's actions but failed to act.
When ABC News reached out to Schubert, he responded with "no comment."
In a previous interview with Swimming World Magazine, Schubert stated that once he became aware of rumors about Hutchison and Kukors Smith, he immediately contacted his superior.
“I heard the rumor in October of 2010 and passed it on to Bill Jewell who was the head coach at FAST,” Schubert said in the interview. “Bill asked me if I knew a private investigator and I did and Bill hired him. It was pretty shocking."
According to Schubert, the investigation discovered only one instance in which the cars of Hutchison and Kukors Smith were parked in front of Hutchison's condo at 5 in the morning.
While Kukors Smith did not testify at Wednesday's hearing, she did appear on ABC News’ Good Morning America on Tuesday. In that interview, the 2012 USA Olympic Team member claimed that USA Swimming, the chief governing body of the sport, failed to protect her from sexual abuse by Hutchison.
“He stole many things from me, including my swimming career, my college experience, friendships, my virginity and ultimately my Olympic dream,” she said. “Not all athletes will become Olympians but all athletes deserve to feel safe on a pool deck.”
Shortly after Kukors Smith’s civil lawsuit was filed in Orange County Superior Court in California, USA Swimming released a statement.
“We respect Ariana Kukors' bravery in stepping forward and sharing her story," the statement said. "We have been in regular contact with her legal team over the last several months and will continue to work with them and Ariana through this process."
Hinchey assumed his position with the sports organization in July 2017, just months before Kukors Smith went public with the alleged abuse.
This case is not an isolated incident for USA Swimming or other Olympic sports. And the swimming scandal comes after dozens of victims testified they were sexually abused by Larry Nassar while he was a doctor for both the USA Olympic and Michigan State Gymnastics teams.
Nassar was found guilty and received what amounted to a life sentence.
Acting CEO of the United States Olympic Committee Susanne Lyons and President & CEO of USA Gymnastics Kerry Perry also testified at Wednesday’s hearing.
USA Gymnastics President and CEO Kerry Perry, center, joined at left by U.S. Olympic Committee Acting CEO Susanne Lyons, testifies before the House Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee in Washington, May 23, 2018.
In her opening remarks, Perry addressed the organization’s mishandling of the Nassar case.
“I want to apologize to all who were harmed by the horrific acts of Larry Nassar,” she stated. “I was in the courtroom to listen to the incredibly courageous women explain in vivid and painful detail the damage he did to their lives. Their voices will not be forgotten. I commit to you that I will keep their words and experiences at the core of every decision every day as the leader of this organization.”
The hearing, entitled “Examining the Olympic Community’s Ability to Protect Athletes from Sexual Abuse,” also focused on the United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) efforts to prevent sexual assaults from occurring in any of their 48 National Governing Boards (NGBs) in the future.
“Athlete safety must be the top priority of the USOC,” said oversight and investigations subcommittee chairman Republican Gregg Harper of Mississippi. “Too often, the USOC and NGBs haven’t acted until they were publicly pressured to do so.”
"There appears to be a history of the USOC knowing about allegations of sexual abuse and doing nothing," said GOP Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon. "One of the concerns that the committee has heard repeatedly from survivors is that the USOC is more concerned about its own reputation, about medals and money, than it is about athlete safety."
Jamie Davis – CEO of USA Volleyball – and Steve McNally – the Executive Director of USA Taekwondo – also testified on Wednesday.
Former Oregon cop gets 150 days in prison for online sex corruption of child, sex abuse
by KATU Staff
WOODBURN, Ore. — A former Woodburn Police officer has been sentenced to 150 days in prison and 5 years of probation for the online sexual corruption of a child and sex abuse.
Daniel Kerbs, 29, was arrested last summer. The abuse took place between September 2013 and November 2014 at a Tigard home. Police said Kerbs was acquainted with the young victim's family.
He was also facing one charge of online sex corruption of a child related to a March 2014 incident.
Duluth middle school teacher charged with sexually assaulting former student, 15
By FORUM NEWS SERVICE |
DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth teacher is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old former student numerous times over the course of at least two weeks.
Karla Jean Winterfeld, a 33-year-old Lincoln Park Middle School teacher, was charged Wednesday with felony first-degree criminal sexual conduct — the highest level of sex crime under Minnesota law.
A criminal complaint alleges that Winterfeld confessed to multiple sex acts with the alleged victim between May 4 and May 19. Investigators said they also recovered video recordings, photographs, text messages and other evidence supporting the allegations.
St. Louis County District Judge David Johnson set Winterfeld’s bail at $100,000 during her arraignment Wednesday.
“We have a violation of the public trust,” Assistant St. Louis County Attorney Jon Holets told the judge. “It’s a violation of the trust placed in her by the school district and by the public as a whole.”
Winterfeld, who has held both health and special education teaching positions in the Duluth school district since 2007, has been placed on paid administrative leave by district officials, who called the allegations “shocking and disappointing.”
Winterfeld, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and standing behind protective glass in the Duluth courthouse’s arraignment room, recited her date of birth and answered several questions from the judge about her employment and income level.
Johnson denied her initial request for a public defender, but said she could later qualify if she loses her job. Her current salary is $72,926.
Winterfeld started at Morgan Park Middle School in 2007 and moved to Lincoln Park in 2012, according to the district. Most recently, she’s split her time between Lincoln Park and the Area Learning Center’s Academic Excellence Online, where she teaches health.
Not mental health, I'm guessing.
She has received numerous accolades during her tenure, including the 2016 Greg Irons Teacher Award, two nominations for the Goldfine Gold Star Teacher Award and a spot on the Duluth News Tribune’s 20 Under 40 list in 2016.
Winterfeld has not been the subject of any previous work complaints, according to district human resources director Tim Sworsky, who added that she will remain on paid leave pending further action by the school board.
The criminal complaint does not reveal how police initially became aware of the relationship, but the charging document states that investigators later executed a search warrant to locate evidence from the cellphones of the defendant and the alleged victim.
Holets told the judge that the evidence, along with Winterfeld’s reported confession and concerns that she could be a flight risk, justified the $100,000 bail.
The prosecutor noted that Winterfeld, if convicted, is facing significant prison time. Minnesota sentencing guidelines call for a presumptive 12-year prison sentence for an offender with no criminal criminal history convicted on a first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge.
Inmate says killing child-sex suspect
was a public service
7 News WHDH
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A California inmate bragged to a judge that he was performing a public service when he killed a cellmate awaiting trial on charges of sexually abusing a child.
The Fresno Bee reported Wednesday that a judge sentenced a remorseless Gary Dale Poole to 75-years-to-life in prison after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder. Poole on Tuesday said in court for the first time that he strangled Michael Stauff, 62, in April 2014.
“Mercy was mixed with justice. He met his maker,” Poole told Superior Court Judge Jonathan Conklin.
Poole, 67, had previously denied killing Stauff, who was found strangled by ripped bed sheets in their shared cell. A jury convicted him of murder after an hour of deliberations in March.
The judge called Poole’s admission Tuesday “striking in its audacity” after denying the charge for so long. “In trial, you said you were innocent. Today, we know that was an absolute fabrication. You did it,” Conklin said in sentencing Poole to the maximum term.
Court records showed Poole was convicted of unlawful consensual sex with an inmate, burglary, bank robbery and robbery. At the time of Stauff’s killing, Poole was in jail on drug charges, court records showed.
So he's not very bright, but at least he has a sense of humour.
Prosecutors argued during the trial that Poole killed Stauff because he refused to share food and coffee and the two argued over a television.
Stauff’s cousin, Lynda Qualls, told the judge she and her family appreciate that Stauff’s death was “valued by the court system and not swept under the rug.” Qualls said she hoped Poole would receive mental health counseling in prison.
Stauff was awaiting trial on charges of lewd or lascivious acts with a child and continuous sexual abuse of a child.
Former Tulsa Priest Charged With
Child Sexual Assault
BY: AMY SLANCHIK, NEWS ON 6BIOEMAIL
EVANSTON, Illinois - A former Oklahoma priest has been charged with sexual assault against a minor in Evanston, Illinois. Evanston Police say Kenneth Lewis assaulted a 13-year-old Tulsa boy at hotel in that town in late 2001.
Lewis was visiting Illinois from Tulsa with the victim and his family when the assault allegedly occurred, according to the CBS affiliate in Chicago.
The incident wasn’t reported for another three years, according to Evanston Police.
“Lewis could not be charged as part of this initial investigation,” according to a news release from Evanston Police.
A warrant was issued for his arrest in December 2017 following a reopened investigation by the Cook County State’s Attorney and Evanston Police.
"The victim had to wait a long time for an arrest," said Commander Ryan Glew with Evanston Police. "Even given a couple years and being a little older, 16-17 years old when the crime it was reported, it took a lot of bravery."
Lewis had been in Ecuador, and was arrested upon his return to the U.S. on May 9 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, police said. He is charged with predatory sexual assault of a child.
A judge May 19 ordered Lewis held on $100,000 bond. He posted bail and was released from custody the same day.
According to an Associated Press story published in July, 2002, Lewis was allowed to remain on the job in Oklahoma in spite of accusations of inappropriate behavior with several boys in the early 1990s.
In an interview with News On 6 in 2002, "Father Ken" said his demonstration of caring had been grossly misinterpreted. "To one observer, my caring was too personal, and we discussed it at length and I was cleared and I have never had any sexual contact with any young person," he said. "I have never done anything to be considered sexual contact or molestation."
Lewis had been sent to treatment in 1994 by Bishop Edward Slattery of the Catholic Diocese of Tulsa. The Chicago Sun Times reports that as many as six victims came forward with complaints against Lewis, but he was not charged because the statute of limitations in the cases had expired.
He was sent to treatment for his exuberant 'caring', obviously.
Lewis served at St. John Catholic Church in McAlester after treatment then in 2007 became the first pastor in the Tulsa Diocese to become laicized - or prohibited from further work as a pastor.
In 2009, a person identified as "John Doe" sued Lewis, Slattery and the Diocese of Tulsa in civil court for breach of fiduciary duty, failure to warn, failure to investigate, negligent retention, negligent supervision, battery, two counts of fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
That case was settled in 2011.
Pastor, 2 others sexually abused teens in church program
By: Paul Wagner, fox5dc.com staff
FORT WASHINGTON, Md. - A Prince George’s County pastor and two other men have been charged with sexually abusing teenage girls in an at-risk youth program at a church, according to officials.
Prince George’s County police said the three men, 67-year-old Joshua Wright of Brandywine, 40-year-old Donald Jackson of White Plains and 46-year-old William Wright of White Plains, sexually abused four females between the ages of 15 and 18 at a program run by the Oxon Hill Assembly of Jesus Christ in Fort Washington from 2001 to 2008.
Joshua Wright is the head pastor at Oxon Hill Assembly of Jesus Christ, according to officials. William Wright is Joshua Wright’s son and was a minister at the church, detectives stated. Court records state William Wright is also an officer with U.S. Capitol Police. According to police, Jackson is Joshua Wright’s son-in-law and a leading member of the church.
I hate churches that are run like family businesses. Too much opportunity for corruption and favouritism.
Donald Jackson (left), Joshua Wright (center) and William Wright (right) have been charged with child abuse and varying sex offenses, according to Prince George's County Police Department.
Authorities said the program was called “CHOP,” which stood for Children Having Overcoming Power, and was designed to provide living accommodations in the homes of church members and education classes at the church for at-risk youth.
"They didn't stay at the church, but they stayed at church members' homes," Cpt. Anthony Schartner with the Prince George's County Police Department explained. "In general, the program was to support children who were high at-risk youth."
The CHOP program ended in 2011.
Investigators said the sexual abuse occurred at multiple locations, including the suspects’ homes, various parks and at the church. The suspects have all been charged with child abuse and varying sex offenses.
Officials said the victims came forward and gave their accounts to police in February.
According to investigators, Jackson and William Wright have confessed to the crimes. William Wright remains in custody while Jackson and Joshua Wright are out on bail, police stated. FOX 5 has attempted to reach out to Jackson and Joshua Wright for comment but have not been able to reach them at this time.
Detectives encouraged others who may have encountered any form of sexual abuse when they were enrolled in the CHOP program to come forward.
Anyone with information that could aid detectives in their investigation was urged to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Unit at (301) 772-4930.
Connecticut man gets 18 years for
sexual abuse of child
Associated Press
DANBURY (AP) — A man convicted of sexually abusing a child while living in the home of a member of the local education board has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The News Times of Danbury reports that Stephen Overby, of Redding, was sentenced Tuesday. He pleaded guilty in February to first-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor and possession of child pornography. The victim in the case was a girl under 13.
The girls parents, whom I will not identify, are charged with risk of injury to a minor for allegedly failing to cooperate in a state investigation into the abuse. Their lawyer has said they deny wrongdoing.
Man arrested for child sex abuse
By Field Walsh
Years after it allegedly occurred, a man accused of repeatedly abusing the younger sister of a former girlfriend has been arrested.
Johnathan Edward Williams, 34, denied any wrongdoing in an interview with Bowie County Sheriff’s Office investigators in February. But the girl, now in her 20s, and a childhood friend who allegedly witnessed misconduct, claim Williams is guilty of sexually abusing a child.
The alleged victim and her friend reported the abuse Feb. 1 to staff at the Domestic Violence Prevention center in Texarkana, according to a probable cause affidavit. About a week later, the two women were interviewed by a BCSO investigator.
The alleged victim stated Williams touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions betweeen 2000 and 2006. She alleged the first incident occurred at a home in Maud, Texas, owned by a member of Williams’ family.
“I was there to swim with his little brothers and family. Before I was allowed to go out to the swimming pool, he took me into his bedroom and took pictures of me both clothed and being unclothed,” the affidavit states. “I was between 7 and 10 years old. I was wearing a rainbow bathing suit and complaining that I wanted to join the others outside to swim.”
The affidavit alleges abuse also occurred at an address in Texarkana, Texas and at another Maud location. The alleged victim reported that Williams warned her that if she told, he would go to jail and her family would have problems.
Williams allegedly told the alleged victim that their “relationship” would be considered “normal” in other places and showed her internet web pages concerning the age of consent in other countries. The alleged victim’s friend reported being touched once by Williams inappropriately.
Williams is currently free on a $75,000 bond following an arrest by BCSO for continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. The case has not yet been presented to a grand jury.
Williams appeared in court this week for a pre-indictment hearing before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell. He is set to appear before Tidwell again next month.
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