Doctor, church youth director among 100+ arrested in child sex trafficking sting in 3 counties in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than 100 people have been arrested in a massive human trafficking and internet sex sting.
The operation focused on three central Ohio counties: Franklin, Fairfield, and Delaware. Among those charged include a doctor and church youth director.
Austin Kosier, a 31-year-old doctor, works in the emergency department at Genesis Healthcare System in Zanesville. He has been employed there since July 2018. Prior to that, he was an ER resident at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center.
Now, the doctor is charged with two felonies – attempted unlawful conduct with a minor and importuning. He is accused of traveling to meet a 15-year-old to engage in sexual activity.
Genesis released a statement to 10TV, saying that, as soon as the hospital learned of Kosier’s arrest, he was placed on “indefinite administrative leave pending a further understanding of these circumstances.”
Also arrested was 26-year-old Christian Gibson, a youth director in training at Redeemer’s at Courtright Church, who has since been removed from his position.
He is charged with two felonies — attempted unlawful conduct with a minor and importuning. He is accused of traveling to meet a 15-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity.
According to an online sermon and social media, Gibson is married and works with The Bridge Student Ministries at the church.
A member told 10TV Gibson has been a member of the church essentially from birth and that the congregation will have to “pick up the pieces” now.
10TV stopped by the Gibson house on Friday afternoon but got no answer at the door. An effort to reach out to the pastors of the church also was not successful.
Redeemer's Church released this statement to 10TV, saying Gibson was removed from his position:
"In the past 24 hours we have learned, as you have, of a law enforcement sting conducted on Human trafficking and prostitution.
Our hearts are broken for those who experience the devastation and pain from these terrible crimes. Our own Youth Director in training was one of those arrested during this operation.
Because we take this issue seriously, we have taken immediate action and have removed this person from his position."
A Columbus firefighter also was charged as part of the sting. He is facing one misdemeanor charge of soliciting a prostitute. Because of the nature of the crime, and because it did not involve minor, 10TV is choosing not to name the suspect. The fire department is aware of the charge, however.
Chief Steven Martin said the department would not have a specific comment until more information is released but added that any criminal charges filed against members of the department are taken seriously. He said that, along with the criminal investigation, the firefighter also could have to face an administrative investigation and answer to any violations of rules, policies and procedures.
Queensbury, NY, man charged with child sex abuse
Post-StarQUEENSBURY — A Queensbury man was arrested Sunday for allegedly having sexual contact with a child under the age of 11.
Elmore was charged with felony first-degree sexual abuse and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child.
Elmore was held in the Warren County Jail pending arraignment later Sunday.
The Glens Falls Police Department assisted in the investigation.
Prolific child rapist gets months in prison
thanks to WVa DA
By SAMANTHA PERRY Bluefield Daily Telegraphthanks to WVa DA
EDITOR’S NOTE: To protect the identify of the child victims in the following story, the mother interviewed will only be identified as “Anne.”
PRINCETON — Three boys. One perpetrator. Years of child sexual abuse.
Disclosures of the crimes occurred in 2015. Parents of the victims then had to face the horrific reality of a family member abusing children, and begin navigating the legal system.
It wasn’t easy, the mother of one victim said. The boys endured Interviews with law enforcement and prosecutors, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, doctor appointments, therapy and more.
But despite the pain of reliving the abuse, the mother said the boys persevered with one goal in mind: justice. Last week, however, time ran out.
The multitude of charges were reduced to two felonies in June when Mullins pleaded guilty before Judge Mark Wills to attempt to commit a felony; to wit, sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust with a child.
His punishment handed down last Monday was one to three years on both charges, to run concurrently, extended supervision upon release and lifetime registration as a sex offender.
With good time, Mullins could serve his term in a year and a half, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney David Pfeiffer said.
The reason for the plea? A three-term rule bungle in the prosecuting attorney’s office, officials said.
Anne’s son was a young boy when the sexual abuse by Mullins occurred. She learned of it years later when a West Virginia State Police trooper came to her door.
“One of the boys was my stepson, and he had told his mother and father and they went to the police,” Anne said. “My husband and I had separated then. When my stepson disclosed the abuse he told the state trooper that he needed to check on his brother because he knew it had happened to him and also his cousin.”
At first, Anne said, she did not want to believe it was true. “But sure enough, after forensic interviews, it was, in fact, true. My son had been sexually abused as well as my nephew.”
Anne said that is when the legal process began, including interviews, STD testing and meetings with attorneys and prosecutors. “When the abuse was disclosed my son was 9 years old,” she said. “Not long after disclosing my son tried to commit suicide by hanging himself.” Anne said her nephew also had self-destruction issues, “as far as cutting himself and anger issues.”
The investigation into the abuse started in 2015, and Mullins was indicted in 2016. Court records in the case for 2016 and 2017 show a plethora of motions, orders and rescheduled trial dates.
Mullins was released on bond, and subsequently began to ignore court proceedings. A bench warrant was issued for him in May 2018, according to court documents. “He was not showing up for court. He was on the run,” Anne said. “this lasted around six to seven months.”
During this time, Anne said she was driving with her son one day when he asked, “Why can’t they just go on the mountain and arrest Robert (Mullins). Everybody knows where he’s at?” Anne said the next day she went to law enforcement and asked about Mullins. He was arrested that night.
“He ignored it and it went away,” Anne said.
Anne said the family had been lulled into a false sense of security with Mullins because of an image he portrayed.
“I was married to his brother and he had lived with us on and off because he was … slow, disabled,” she said. “He played the part that he needed somebody to look after him. It wasn’t until years later that I realized he was, in fact, intelligent. He knew what to say and do to get access to his prey, which was my boys.”
Retired State Police Sgt. M.D. Clemons, formally with the Crimes Against Children Unit, echoed this sentiment. “He pretends to be simple, but he’s not,” said Clemons, who investigated the 2015-16 case against Mullins. Clemons described him as a “serial molester.”
Court documents show Mullins was also indicted in Mercer County in February 2009 for first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree sexual assault, incest and sexual abuse by a custodian. Those charges were dismissed a year later in February 2010. The dismissal order cites then-assistant prosecuting attorney — and current prosecuting attorney — George Sitler as representing the state. The order was signed by Mercer County Circuit Court Judge Derek Swope.
Through the years, Anne said she, her son and the other victims were preparing for trial more than once when “something would always come up.” Earlier this year, she said they were a few days out from trial when they received a call asking them to come in for a meeting at the prosecuting attorney’s office.
“He (Sitler) came in hanging his head down,” Anne said. “He hardly ever made eye contact … he said unfortunately something had happened … he said he was sorry. He said there had never been a case like this in Mercer County. He said if we would take the case to trial Robert’s defense attorney would have it thrown out.”
Questioned about the case last week, Sitler said a defendant has a right to trial within three terms following a grand jury indictment. “A prior assistant prosecuting attorney continued (the case) without a hearing,” Sitler said. “The three-term rule mandates dismissal.
“It’s a terrible result,” he added, acknowledging the responsibility of his office. “It’s a bad situation. I am sorry we couldn’t do more.”
Anne said she was told if the case went to trial it would be dismissed and Mullins “would walk.” She was advised the plea deal was the better option. “He (Sitler) told me it was ‘under my watch,’ and ‘I’m not sure how it happened,’ but he was sorry,” Anne said. “Those words echo in my mind. It happened under his watch and he was sorry.”
Under his watch, but obviously, he wasn't watching.
During Mullins’ sentencing hearing, Anne read a victim’s impact statement. She said Sitler was not in the courtroom, so she went in search of him following the hearing. “I asked why he was not in the courtroom today, and said, ‘You should have been there to see the look on my boy’s face and hear what I had to say,’” Anne related. “He said he couldn’t make it, and at that point I read what I had said during the hearing.”
Anne lamented the fact that Mullins could be out on probation in just a year or two.
“What he did will affect my son forever,” she said “He is still in therapy. I put that in my statement. I am not sure how court got delayed, or how the case got passed around like a hot potato, but I would not be silent anymore and our story would be heard. I would try to do everything in my power to get the three-term rule amended when it comes to the heinous crime of sexual abuse.”
Anne is now lobbying for that cause. She cited words from the Magna Carta, some of which are written on the Mercer County Courthouse walls: “To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice.”
“This is what we tell our children, this is what we believe, but this is not always the case,” Anne said. “I was too late to change it for my boys, but I don’t ever want another victim of sexual abuse to go through what my boys did.”
The man had a myriad of child sex abuse crimes in 2009 and got away completely free. It happens again in 2015, and he gets a slap on the wrist. Prosecuting attorney Sitler, in my humble opinion, is either lazy, incompetent, or something more sinister. Under any circumstance, he should resign, or be fired. He's not protecting the children in his state but is rather causing them to be more at risk of life-altering trauma.
Former school board candidate sentenced to four years for child sexual abuse in Virginia
A former school board candidate in Radford has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual abuse charges stemming from accusations from the 1990s.
The Roanoke Times reported that Phillip Bryant Foster pleaded guilty on Friday in Radford District Court to three counts of aggravated sexual battery in a plea agreement in which he avoided dozens of other charges. Forest also must register as a sexual offender.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Rehak said the agreement spared the victims — all under age 13 when the abuse occurred and now adults — the anguish of a trial and prevented legal appeals.
Rehak said one victim told police she and other children had been made to watch pornographic cartoons.
The 58-year-old Foster was a Radford school board candidate in 2014.
Indiana pastor found not guilty of molestation after
6 women, girls alleged sexual abuse
Garry Evans was found not guilty of 14 counts on 6 girls
WTHR / Channel 13
RUSHVILLE, Indiana — A Rushville pastor facing child molestation charges was found not guilty on all counts in his jury trial Friday.Garry Evans was arrested in October 2017 (3rd story on link) and accused of luring children into his office, then molesting them.
As more alleged victims came forward to accuse Evans, he eventually faced 14 felony counts linked to six women or girls for child molestation, child solicitation and sexual battery.
When out on bond awaiting his trial, Evans, the pastor of the Rushville Baptist Temple Church, attempted suicide at his home in November.
Is that what an innocent, God-fearing, man would do? It's pretty amazing the 6 women and girls could all be wrong? I suspect there is more to this story.
Wylie, TX, Man Sentenced To 60 Years w/o Parole After Sexually Abusing 5-y/o Girl
McKINNEY, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – Three years after the sexual abuse stopped, the courageous child told her parents about the family friend who first violated her at 5-years-old.
Stacy Davidson, 52, of Wylie, was sentenced to 60 years in prison without the possibility of parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.
“Children everywhere are now safe from this monster because of this brave and innocent child’s courage,” Collin County District Attorney Willis said after the sentencing.
Stacy Davidson, 52, of Wylie (credit: Wylie Police Department)
Although not a relative, Davidson knew the child and sexually abused her during the course of a year. Then, in November 2018, about three years after the abuse stopped, the child mustered the courage to tell her father about it. Her parents then reported the abuse to law enforcement.
Wylie Police Department Detective Amanda Fields and Corporal Helen Taylor investigated the case. The victim was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County and disclosed details about the abuse.
The jury found Davidson guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. During the punishment phase of trial, prosecutors introduced evidence of a 2015 FBI investigation involving Davidson and child pornography. An FBI Special Agent testified that during their investigation, it was discovered that hundreds of child pornography media files had recently been opened on Davidson’s computer. This was considered by the Court when determining Davidson’s prison sentence.
Last week, Judge James R. Fry assessed punishment at 60 years in prison. By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole.
15-y/o Girl From Guatemala Rescued from
Human Trafficking in Texas
The teen — who was the victim of human trafficking — was brought into the United States illegally and was being forced to work at a local restaurant in order to pay a $10,000 debt. She was provided with false documentation, allowing her to obtain a job.
During their investigation, they discovered the victim was being dropped off at the restaurant she worked at by the suspect, 36-year-old Cesar Augusto Valdez-Perez.
Valdez-Perez has been charged with trafficking a child, forced labor and two counts of fraudulent use/possession of identifying information.
He is currently in the Tarrant County Jail in lieu of a combined $16,500 bond.
This is an on-going investigation.
Pair held woman as sex slave in N. Carolina,
tortured her in front of kids: cops
By Joshua Rhett MillerNew York Post
A woman was held captive as a sex slave at hotels in North Carolina, where she was repeatedly beaten and tortured in front of her two young children, police said.
“The punishments range from verbal abuse, to beatings with a belt, being held under water/ice bath in a bathtub while being strangled and burned/branded with a hot wire coat hanger,” department officials said in a statement. “This violence was done in front of her two children and they were beaten as well with a belt at times.”
The woman’s children, ages 6 and 8, were not sexually abused, but they did witness the treatment doled out to their mother by suspects Thomas Antoine Miller, 26, and Shakeeta Lasha Adams, 25, inside rooms at Comfort Suites and Quality Suites in Pineville, police said.
The suspects were arrested after a three-week investigation involving undercover surveillance that was launched when the woman went to police and said she needed help. Investigators also think there could be additional victims who have not yet been identified.
“We want those victims to come forward to us,” police said. “We also want [them] to know that there is help out there for them. Our victim in this case and her children had a long road of physical and mental recovery ahead of them.”
The victim, who is not from Pineville, met Miller in Charlotte in July, Pineville police Lt. Corey Copley told The Post. Investigators do not believe that the woman’s children were forced to watch any of the sex acts, Copley said.
Human trafficking in Pineville — a town of 9,000 south of Charlotte — is “extremely rare,” according to police, but many hotels, including the locations where investigators said the woman was held captive, have trained employees to spot signs of the criminal activity.
“Our victim has been very brave in coming forward and we hope that if there are more victims out there, then they too will be inspired to come forward,” Pineville police said in a statement.
Miller is facing charges including human trafficking of an adult victim, sexual servitude of an adult victim and assault on a child under 12, the Charlotte Observer reported. He remains in custody at the Mecklenburg County jail, online records show.
Adams, who was charged with simple assault, was released from custody on Friday, records show.
Evansville, Ind, man pleads guilty to child molestation,
sentenced to 45 years
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — An Evansville man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison Monday after he pleaded guilty to four counts of child molestation and one count of obstruction of justice.
The Courier & Press reported at the time, citing police records, that Rogers was accused of reading Bible passages to the child to manipulate her into sexual acts. He then raped the child on multiple occasions and forced her to perform oral sex, according to the records.
He denied the abuse during an investigation by the sheriff's office. "I didn’t do anything with that child but teach her the Bible," he was reported as saying.
The sheriff's office said Rogers wasn't related to the victim, but they knew each other.
Perry, NY, man admits repeatedly sexually assaulting child
By SCOTT DESMIT
BATAVIA NEWS
WARSAW — A Perry man admitted in Wyoming County Court Friday that he repeatedly sexually assaulted a child.
At the time of the plea, Hopkins was promised a sentence of 12 years prison with 15 years of post-release supervision. He would also be subject to a complete “stay away” order of protection for the victims and their families, and register as a sex offender.
Judge Michael Mohun ordered Hopkins jailed without bail and set sentencing for Oct. 24.
Hopkins was arrested in May and charged with sexually assaulting a child under the age of 11 while in Perry and in Warsaw. At the time he was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree course of sexual conduct and endangering the welfare of a child.
A grand jury later charged him with predatory sexual assault against a child, which carries a maximum life prison term. The indictment also charged Hopkins with second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, three counts of first-degree sexual abuse and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
“After consultation with the victim’s families we were able to resolve this case with a 12-year prison sentence with the defendant being either in prison or under specialized supervision for the next 27 years,” said District Attorney Donald O’Geen in a statement e-mailed on Monday. “I want to commend the excellent collaboration between Warsaw Police Chief Peter Hoffmeister and officers Blake Russell and James Prusak of the Perry Police Department.”
N.J. Teacher, 45, Charged With Sexually Abusing Teen After
Being Caught by Her Own Children
By Chris Harris A New Jersey teacher was arrested late last month on child sex assault charges after her own children reportedly became aware of the alleged abuse and confronted her about it.
Elyse Castillo, 45, last worked for the Jersey City Board of Education in November 2018. A statement from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office contends the alleged abuse began five months earlier.
Castillo allegedly abused a 14-year-old student over the course of 15 months.
Citing a criminal complaint, NJ.com also reports that Castillo never told her alleged victim she had herpes.
The complaint reportedly claims the alleged crimes began in June 2018 and ended in August (2019), soon after Castillo’s children — who are 13 and 14 — approached her about the illicit relationship.
The confrontation was so intense, according to the complaint, the children’s father contacted child protection services, telling them he suspected Castillo may have assaulted their children during the argument.
How traumatic for the kids. Good grief! A mother and a teacher!
An investigation into the father’s allegations uncovered the reason for the fight, as police were informed of the alleged abuse.
Castillo allegedly met the child when he was in sixth grade, and when describing the alleged abuse, said they “would make love,” NJ.com reports, citing the complaint.
Castillo was arrested on August 29 and charged with single counts of aggravated sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child and diseased person committing an act of sexual penetration.
At a detention hearing this week, prosecutors said that Castillo had confessed to her crimes and that she faces 10 to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Castillo has been released, but a judge forbid her from having contact with any children other than her own.
And I wonder how much her own children want to have contact with her?
Attempts to reach Castillo, who has not entered pleas to the charges, were unsuccessful Friday, and it was unclear if she was represented by a lawyer who could speak on her behalf.
Jersey City, NJ
Florida man guilty of sexual abuse against
four children in Lancaster, PA
by: WHTM StaffLANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) – A Florida man is facing prison time for sexually abusing four children in Lancaster County for 20 years, beginning in 1984.
The district attorney’s office said Cruz abused the children at multiple locations from 1984 to 2004, before moving to Florida.
Cruz will be sentenced after a background investigation is completed in a couple of months.
He is awaiting sentencing in Lancaster County Prison. Bail is set at $2 million.
Rockford, Ill, high school teacher charged with
criminal sexual abuse of a child
Police say a follow-up investigation concluded Enneking had inappropriate sexual contact this the female victim on school grounds as well as through electronic means after school hours.
Enneking was taken into custody Monday and is currently behind bars on a $500,000 bond.
North Carolina man pleads guilty to 50 child sex charges
of a girl he met at church
ASSOCIATED PRESSWILMINGTON, N.C. — A North Carolina man has pleaded guilty to 50 child sexual assault charges and could serve up to 40 years in prison.
Prosecutors said Ramsey befriended the victim through his church when the child was 13, and a year later, began raping the victim and engaging in sexually explicit correspondence over the next three years.
According to prosecutors, the assaults took place in both New Hanover and Pender counties. The district attorney’s office said in a news release that when the victim turned 18, she told her parents about the abuse.
Ramsey will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
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