Iowa Christian School teacher pleads guilty to
child sexual exploitation
NICK HYTREK nhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com
SIOUX CITY -- Inside a courtroom overflowing with onlookers Monday, a former Sioux Center, Iowa, private school teacher pleaded guilty to having sexual contact with at least one young boy.
Curtis Van Dam pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and, as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, agreed to be sentenced to a 15-year prison term, the mandatory minimum required by federal sentencing statutes.
A sentencing date will be set once the U.S. Probation Office has completed the final presentence investigation report, a process that can take up to two months or more. Van Dam will remain in federal custody.
Van Dam, 36, admitted to conduct spelled out in a stipulation of facts contained in the plea agreement, which has yet to be filed in the court system's electronic public access system. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kelly Mahoney did not question Van Dam on specific details of his crime, but, using the generic legal description of the exploitation charge, asked if he was guilty.
"Is it true that on the dates charged, you used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct?" Mahoney asked him.
"Yes, your honor," Van Dam said.
A crowd of at least 125 people packed the courtroom, filling every bench and forcing those who could still get inside the room to stand against the walls. The crowd spilled into the lobby outside the courtroom. Few of those inside showed any visible reaction when Van Dam entered his guilty plea.
Tim Duax, chief of the U.S. Attorney's Sioux City bureau, said both sides had engaged in plea negotiations, but he had been prepared to go to trial next month. "In this case, it was the defendant's decision to enter a plea agreement rather than go to trial," Duax said.
Once Van Dam is sentenced, a charge of possession of child pornography will be dismissed.
15 boys reported contact
Sioux Center police arrested Van Dam on Oct. 23 after the parents of an 11-year-old boy reported that Van Dam had had sexual contact with their son. At least 15 boys have reported incidents, five of them alleging that Van Dam had physical contact with them, police have said.
Sioux County Attorney Thomas Kunstle ultimately charged Van Dam with 146 charges related to inappropriate sexual contact with at least 13 children between August 2014 and this past October.
Van Dam was indicted in federal court on Jan. 25. The federal charges accused Van Dam of having one or more minors engage in sexual conduct for the purpose of producing videos or photos from Nov. 12, 2013, through this past October. Sioux Center police officer Mike Halma testified at an earlier hearing that investigators found two videos showing minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on Van Dam's laptop computer.
Yet to face state prosecution
Though he has now pleaded guilty in federal court, he still may be prosecuted under Iowa statutes for the numerous sexual abuse and lascivious acts charges he faces. He is scheduled to stand trial July 17 in Sioux County District Court in Orange City.
According to court documents filed in Sioux County, some or all of the children were under age 12 or 13, and the incidents took place at various locations, including Sioux Center Christian School, where Van Dam taught for nine years. He also coached seventh- and eighth-grade boys basketball. Van Dam is accused of sexually abusing or having inappropriate contact with some of the children on at least 24 separate occasions over several months.
School administrators removed Van Dam, who taught fifth grade, from the school after the initial complaint was filed. They fired him after additional charges related to incidents with other children were filed.
Texas man sentenced to 35 years in prison for continuous sexual abuse of a child
KBMT
A Groves man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to continuous sexual abuse of a child.
Brandon Devillier, 35, of Groves, Texas was accused by a 12-year-old girl of sexual abuse spanning several years.
The girl confided in a friend about her abuse and the friend encouraged her to talk to her parents.
The family of the victim immediately contacted the police upon learning of the abuse and the girl was given a sexual assault forensic exam in which Devillier's DNA was found.
There is no parole for continuous sexual abuse of a child, so Devillier must serve every single day of his 35-year sentence and he must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child requires two or more instances of sexual abuse over a period that is longer than 30 days in duration. It is an enhanced first-degree felony that carries a minimum of 25 years up to 99 years or life in prison.
There is no parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. Devillier must serve every, single day of his 35-year sentence. He must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
New Mexico abuser of 4 and 5 y/o girls claims
he was sexually abused as a child
he was sexually abused as a child
By: Kate Bieri
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - Two young siblings asked a Las Cruces judge for the maximum sentence on Monday against the man who admitted to sexually abusing them years ago.
"I understand that I need to go to prison for what I've done," 28-year-old Bobby Christopher Mendoza told the judge. "I just need treatment and I don't feel like life in prison is that treatment."
The two children, less than ten years old, described the abuse they suffered to the court. Mendoza admitted to performing sexual acts on the children when they were only four and five years old.
"What Chris did to me was terrible," the female child said. "It wasn't a little bit of stuff, if was a lot of stuff. I don't think Chris should be around any kids or grown-ups because he hurt me."
"The sexual abuse makes me feel angry, sad, confused, embarrassed, lonely, ashamed and frightened," the male child said. "I don't know how the sexual abuse will affect me when I grow up, but I will never forget about it."
Judge Douglas Driggers sentenced Mendoza to 33 years in prison with five years minimum parole. The maximum Mendoza could have served was 93 years in prison, Deputy District Attorney Heather Chavez told ABC-7.
"By far, this case has been the most horrifying case of its type that I've ever personally handled," Chavez told the judge.
Mendoza was ultimately convicted on one count of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree (18 years) and five additional counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor in the second degree, run concurrently (totalling 15 years).
There should be no 'concurrent' sentencing when child sex abuse is involved.
"The sexual abuse of our children is not acceptable," said Sueann Kenney-Noziska, a licensed clinical social worker. "When it happens, there is serious consequences for that. I think that message needs to come from the top down, from the bench to the community."
Mendoza told the judge he was a victim of abuse as a child, but acknowledged that it does not excuse his actions against the two young children.
"I'm truly sorry," Mendoza said, before exiting the courtroom for prison.
I'll bet you are now! I sincerely hope you will get help in prison, and that you will turn your life around. But, for now, I'm glad you are off the streets for the next few decades.
NY man accused of child sex abuse
pleads in federal case
DON LEHMAN dlehman@poststar.com
A former amusement park worker from Queensbury who has been accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a young child pleaded guilty Monday to three federal felonies for possessing child pornography.
Chad R. Knowlton, 24, pleaded guilty to counts for distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography in U.S. District Court.
The charges stemmed from his arrest in May 2017 as part of a FBI and State Police investigation, and investigators determined he had used a computer and smartphone to download at least six video files and 1,309 image files depicting child pornography, involving children as young as 3.
During that investigation, investigators learned of evidence that Knowlton may have sexually abused as many as four children, dating back to 2009.
Police located two alleged victims, and the "two minors acknowledged that the defendant engaged in sexual contact with them at the defendant’s request,” an order of detention filed in the case in U.S. District Court reads.
The investigation led to felony counts of sexual abuse and counts of sexual conduct against a child filed last October in Queensbury Town Court, which accuse Knowlton of repeatedly having sexual contact with a child younger than the age of 12.
He has pleaded not guilty to those charges, which are still pending in Warren County Court.
Knowlton worked at Great Escape amusement park for several months in 2012, but police said there have been no allegations raised about any improper contact with children there.
Knowlton is being held in Renssealer County Jail pending sentencing Oct. 9 in U.S. District Court. He faces a minimum of 5 years and maximum of 20 years, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett said there was no agreed-upon sentence as part of a plea deal.
Ohio child rapist says he was abused.
'No compassion for you, whatsoever,' judge replies
Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer
In an extremely unusual moment, a man who raped and sexually abused three young girls over multiple years blamed his crimes on abuse he said he suffered as a child.
But at a hearing Monday, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Patrick Dinkelacker discounted Nicholas White’s remarks, telling him there is evil in the world, “and right now, I’m looking at it.”
“I have no compassion for you, whatsoever,” Dinkelacker said, before imposing a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
White, who is 29 and now has a full beard, spoke in a soft voice. Several times, he had to be reminded to speak louder. He initially tried to read from a statement he had written, but then broke down crying. One of his attorneys then read the rest of it for him.
White said he always knew “deep down” that the sexual abuse he said he suffered was wrong, but came to assume “it was a normal thing that happened.”
Eventually, he said he became “confused, embarrassed and ashamed” by the memories. “Out of shame,” he wrote, “I suppressed those memories.” Over time, he began to forget and “eventually those memories just became bad dreams.”
Because of the embarrassment and shame, he said he never spoke about his experiences and “never sought mental help” as a teenager or adult.
This, of course, is the worst possible thing you can do. You must tell someone and keep telling someone until someone listens to you. You cannot keep it inside; it will destroy you, and probably others as well.
He said he tried to hide his “symptoms.” He said he “continually call(ed) off work” and “ignor(ed) invites.”
White also apologized to the girls, who prosecutors said were around the ages of 7 and 9 when the abuse happened. A fourth victim was 15 when court documents say White solicited her to engage in sex acts with him.
The charges date back at least to 2013. Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Schrimpf said it was the worst case of its kind he has seen in nearly eight years as a prosecutor.
“These are monstrous actions,” Schrimpf said. “Unspeakable evil.” He called White’s child pornography collection “extremely disturbing.”
White’s girlfriend, 32-year-old Elizabeth Smith, is accused of giving him “permission to engage in this activity and set parameters on the scope of the abuse” involving some of the children.
Elizabeth Smith (Photo: Provided/Hamilton County Sheriff's Office)
Prosecutors also say Smith took photos of one of the girls’ genitals.
Smith is awaiting trial on charges including complicity and endangering children. They lived in Cheviot.
Court documents say that in the summer of 2017 White sent Smith a text message, asking her to solicit the 15-year-old girl “to engage in sexual activity with both defendants.” Smith then showed the teen the text message, the documents say.
In January of this year, according to the documents, White sent the teen a Snapchat message “requesting that she engage in sexual activity with him.”
White pleaded guilty to rape, a child pornography charge, gross sexual imposition and soliciting a minor for sex.
Schrimpf said the state offered White a plea deal to spare the girls the trauma of having to testify in court about what happened.
Cape Cod murderer blames his evil on being sexually abused as a child
Man who sent photos of slain wife to friends gets life in prison
CBS BOSTON
BARNSTABLE, Mass. — A Massachusetts man who fatally stabbed his wife then sent photos of her body to friends saying he had killed her and needed someone to care for their children has been sentenced to life in prison. The Cape Cod Times reports that Christopher Fratantonio received the mandatory sentence of life without parole following his first-degree murder conviction Friday in the February 2017 killing of 35-year-old Mary Fratantonio inside their Barnstable home.
Prosecutors say the couple's 6-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son were at home at the time and the boy was in one of the photos.
Mary Fratantonio, who also went by "Molly," was a special education teacher at Barnstable High School. Joy Pineo, a student's mother, told CBS Boston in an interview soon after the murder that Mary Fratantonio was known for celebrating students' kindness over academic achievements.
"She wanted to help. She was kind. Loving and so supportive. She was a great neighbor. Great mom," Pineo said.
The victim's family says Christopher Fratantonio was controlling. He told police his wife was cruel, demanding and belittling.
His lawyer says her client has mental health issues and post-traumatic stress stemming from child sex abuse.
NY Man arrested for sexually abusing child
GLENVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A local man is facing sex abuse charges after police say he had sexual contact with a child who was under 10 years old.
Glenville Police charged Jahelijah Davis with three counts of sex abuse and one count of endangering the welfare of a child after the alleged crime back in February 2016.
He's being held on $20,000 cash bail.
Davis is due back in court on Tuesday.
South Dakota Man Indicted for Aggravated
Sexual Abuse of a Child
By: Dakota Radio Group News & Farm
A 24-year-old White River, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child.
Roy Brushbreaker III pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The Indictment alleges that on January 28, 2017, Brushbreaker knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a minor female.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250-thousand fine and five years to life of supervised release.
Brushbreaker was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
North Dakota man facing charges of
child sex exploitation & child porn
DOUG BARRETT
A Mandan man is facing allegations of child sex abuse involving boys younger than 15 dating back a decade.
33-year-old Kyle Kennedy is facing charges in federal court relating to attempted sexual exploitation and child pornography.
He also faces sex crime and indecent exposure charges in state court.
Kennedy is in federal custody pending trial. He's scheduled to enter pleas Tuesday.
Wisconsin man gets five years in prison for
child sex assault
Kent Tempus, Green Bay Press Gazette
An Oconto man who is accused of repeatedly exposed himself to a child while he was driving and who he allegedly also sexually touched, has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Blaze Agen, 55, will serve five years of extended supervision after the prison term, followed by three years of probation.
Agen was arrested Sept. 19 on five child sexual abuse charges, one day after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The victim, who also said Agen touched her on several occasions, was between the ages of 10 and 13 when the incidents occurred between April 2013 through the end of 2016.
She told an Oconto Police detective that Agen masturbated several times while he took her for rides. On one occasion, the victim said he started driving on back roads, then asked her to take the wheel. She ended up driving for about 1.5 miles while he masturbated.
“(The victim) stated she was so used to it by then, she just kept looking forward,” the complaint says.
As part of a plea agreement, Agen pleaded no contest to third-degree sexual assault, reduced from repeated sexual assault of a child, and exposing genitals to a child.
Oconto County District attorney Edward Burke recommended the maximum sentence of five years in prison and five years of extended supervision on the first charge, and two years of probation on the second charge, with the maximum sentence on of 18 months in prison and two years of extended supervision stayed.
Burke said Agen’s conduct escalated after prior convictions from exposing himself in Waukesha County two decades ago. Burke said Agen touched the girl's breast or buttocks three times.
Did I mention, sin is progressive?
“He’s got to learn (that) if he can’t control himself, then he’s got to be confined,” he said. Public defender Bradley Schraven joined in the recommendation, saying it was a fair resolution to the case.
Because of his age, Agen’s risk to reoffend will decrease while he’s in prison, where he will be able to receive treatment. The probation time will “give him additional supervision and prison hanging over his head if he violates it,” Schraven said.
Agen declined to make a statement to the court.
At the April 4 sentencing, Judge Michael T. Judge noted he received five letters of support for Agen, which praised his kindness and helpfulness, and added that Agen has been on disability since 2001 for depression and anxiety.
Hmmm. Depression and anxiety medication tends to make a person less sexually active.
However, Judge noted that in the pre-sentence investigation, Agen “denies that anything he plead to happened, therefore, he’s unable to show any remorse or repentance of any kind.” Judge that when Agen entered his no contest pleas, he acknowledged the facts in the criminal complaint were reasonably true.
Judge also recounted allegations against Agen from Waukesha County in the summer and fall of 1996, when he exposed himself to five different people, including a young bicyclist, jogger, a neighbor in her car and a pedestrian walking by his home. Agen received 90 days in jail and seven years of probation in that case.
The victim in Oconto County said Agen exposed himself on rides 10 times, Judge said. “Obviously, this defendant needs some help,” he said.
Judge sentenced Agen to the maximum sentence on the sexual assault charge, and added a consecutive term of three years probation on the exposing charge after staying the maximum sentence. He ordered that Agen have no contact with the victim or her family without DOC approval, have no contact with any minor without DOC approval, not possess of pornographic materials, have access to the internet, undergo sex offender treatment and after care, and pay $268 court costs, $250 DNA surcharge and DOC fees.
Counts of child enticement, two counts of causing child less than age 13 to view/listen to sexual activity, and exposing genitals or pubic area were considered at sentencing and dismissed.
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