Former Morgan County, AL man sentenced to 438 years
for child sex abuse
By Rebekah Martin
“In my 37 years as a prosecutor, this is singularly the most disturbing case of child sexual assault that I have ever tried,” were the words of Morgan County Chief Assistant District Attorney Paul Matthews regarding the sentencing of a former Morgan County man Tuesday.
Michael William Lesher, 53, of Carrollton, Ga. was living in Morgan County with his wife Lisa more than a decade ago when he played a role in raping, sodomizing and sexually abusing two of his own children. Lesher was sentenced to 438 years in prison Tuesday afternoon.
Anderson said he is pleased with the sentence, noting that the conviction and sentence give some measure of closure to the victims, who were believed by some in law enforcement to be too young to testify when the incidents were first reported.
“Seeking justice for these victims became the goal of the Morgan County District Attorney’s office,” Anderson said. “They have waited far too long for their day in court, and I am glad that we were finally able to give them the opportunity to tell about the abuse that they suffered at the hands of their father.”
A Morgan County jury convicted Lesher March 29 after a trial that lasted only four days. The jury returned guilty verdicts on two counts of rape in the first degree, two counts of sodomy in the first degree and two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree as well as one count of incest. Judge Stephen F. Brown handed down Lesher’s sentence Tuesday afternoon in Decatur.
Two of his children counted as victims, but only one count of incest? That's odd!
Lisa Lesher, who prosecutors say was an accomplice to her husband’s crimes, remains in custody pending trial.
Morgan Co., AL
Dallas man facing >100 years for several years
of sexual abuse of Nacogdoches child
By: Patrick Cunningham
NACOGDOCHES, TX (KETK) - A Dallas man has been arrested for continuous sexual abuse of a Nacogdoches child over the course of several years, according to police.
Ronnie Ree Roberts Jr was arrested by Glenn Heights police in Dallas and transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail on Monday.
A child under the age of 14 told a school counselor about the abuse. A follow-up interview and exam was conducted at the Harold's House in Nacogdoches.
Roberts has been charged with Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child, a first-degree felony, and Prohibited Sexual Conduct, a third-degree felony.
He is being held on a $330,000 bond.
If convicted, he is facing over 100 years in prison.
Former Cop and County Commissioner Arrested
for Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse
luketurnbough Local News
(Farmington) A man from Potosi who has been a former police officer at three different departments and a county commissioner is now facing two child molestation and two sexual abuse charges out of St. Francois County.
42-year-old Todd Moyers turned himself in this afternoon after a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
The probable cause statement says Moyers engaged in sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl between March and August of 2018.
At the time, Moyers was still an officer with the Park Hills Police Department.
He was fired in November of 2018. Court documents show Moyers allegedly coerced the girl to send him nude photos of her and he would drop a citation against her for trespassing.
Moyers also allegedly met the girl while a police officer at the Park Hills Sports Complex and at St. Joe State Park.
The victim says Moyers allegedly kissed her and touched her under her clothes.
Records show 250 text messages were exchanged between moyers and the victim.
Moyers also worked as an officer for the Potosi Police Department, was a deputy for the Washington County Sheriff’s Deparment and served several years as a Washington County commissioner.
Todd Moyers is being held on a 100-thousand dollar bond.
New Windsor, MD man charged with rape and sexual abuse of a minor in his care
Catalina Righter
Carroll County Times
A New Windsor man is being held without bail after he allegedly raped an elementary school-aged child on two separate occasions.
Jay Bevard Eline, 55, was charged with seven counts, including one of sexual abuse of a minor and two each of second-degree rape and third-degree sex offense. He is being held without bail awaiting a bail review Thursday, according to electronic court records.
According to the statement of probable cause, Child Protective Services contacted investigators from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office after a child disclosed sexual abuse during a school health class.
An investigator interviewed the child, who described an occasion when Eline had instructed her to perform sexual acts on him and performed sexual acts on her while he was tasked with her care, according to the statement.
After speaking with the child’s family, investigators learned of another time when Eline was tasked with the care of the child. Investigators again interviewed the child, who described Eline performing sexual acts on that occasion as well, according to the statement.
Parents - please don't leave your children in the care of men
who are not their father. It's just not worth the risk!
Kansas Christian school founder acquitted
of child sex abuse
Fox 28 Spokane
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — The co-founder of a suburban Kansas City school has been found not guilty of child sexual abuse charges (2nd story on link).
Fox4KC reports 49-year-old Dennis Creason was acquitted Tuesday on several counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
Creason and his wife, of Bonner Springs, co-founded founded Oaklawn Christian School in Shawnee. He was accused of lewd fondling or touching of children under the age of 14 between 2009 and early 2018.
Oaklawn Christian School closed following Creason’s arrest.
Creason testified during the trial that he never had sexual contact with the children. His attorneys argued the five girls who testified were coached about what to say.
But prosecutors argued the children were afraid of Creason and had no reason to lie.
King City, Ore. Man Guilty Of Child Sex Abuse
By Jacob Dean, KXL
HILLSBORO, Ore.- On May 20, 2019, a Washington County jury found Todd Allen Wymer guilty of First-Degree Sodomy, Second-Degree Sex Abuse and three counts of Luring a Minor. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lewman prosecuted the case against Wymer in Judge Ricardo Menchaca’s courtroom.
The victim in this case was known to Wymer and was just 14-years-old when he began grooming her to be sexually abused. The victim told investigators that Wymer would give her alcohol, marijuana and other drugs and ordered her to keep this arrangement a secret from others.
Eventually, Wymer began withholding these items unless the victim agreed to engage in sexual conduct with him. That abuse began with kissing and touching but quickly escalated.
The victim first made a disclosure of abuse in 2011. At the time, Wymer admitted to the drug use but denied any sexual abuse occurred. The victim then moved out of state and indicated she did not want to move forward with the case.
In 2017, the victim contacted King City Police once again. She reported she was suffering from the trauma of the abuse and was ready to pursue charges against Wymer. Her testimony proved vital in securing a conviction against him.
This case demonstrates the complexity and difficulty associated with prosecuting crimes involving sexual abuse. These cases can be especially challenging to prove and often times victims are not able or ready to proceed right away. We commend the victim in this case for coming forward and showing the courage to confront her abuser in court.
The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the investigative work on this case by King City Police Chief Ernest Happala and Officer Shelby Thatcher.
Sentencing is set for July 10, 2019. Wymer will remain in custody until that time.
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