Pulaski County man arrested in 2008 child sexual abuse case
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PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. — A man from Crocker, Missouri, was arrested after being accused of sexually abusing a child sometime between 2008 and 2009 when he was in kindergarten.
The suspect, Daniel Gaines, was charged with first-degree statutory sodomy with a child who was less than 14 years old. His bond is set at $250,000, cash or surety only.
According to online court documents, in April 2013, charges were initially filed against Gaines in an investigation into the alleged child abuse, but the prosecutor dismissed the case around January 2015 after the venue was changed to Phelps County.
In November 2024, Gaines was being investigated for allegedly uploading and distributing child pornography on the messaging app KIK in June. This investigation revealed conversations Gaines had with another user where he discussed sexually assaulting a child.
One message read, “At 18, I was babysitting for some people who had two 2 yo sons from prior relationships…they decided they weren’t going to pay me the way they promised…so I took my payment out on the 2 yo boys.”
The detective contacted Gaines at his residence on June 2, 2025. Gaines told the detective that the content in his KIK conversations was all fantasy and not based on truth. He claimed he only collected child pornography and took part in perverse conversations to report users on Telegram and KIK. However, court documents state that Gaines did not provide an example of him reporting said content.
The detective then contacted the victim, who detailed the sexual abuse. The victim said that sometime in 2008 or 2009, when he was five years old, Gaines sexually assaulted him on two separate occasions at a mobile home in Crocker.
The victim claimed he felt the system failed him since the initial case was dropped by the prosecuting attorney without just cause, court records state, and he wants Gaines to be held accountable.
The probable cause statement notes that Gaines is currently homeless and has been accused of sexually assaulting family members.
Gaines’ next court appearance is a counsel status hearing scheduled for June 11.
Massena man convicted of predatory
child sex assault
CANTON — A Massena man was convicted of predatory sexual assault of a child stemming from incidents in 2023, according to St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary M. Pasqua’s office.
Christopher Hawn, 48, of Massena, was found guilty Thursday of predatory sexual assault upon a child, two counts of first-degree rape, two counts of third-degree rape, second-degree coercion, endangering the welfare of a child, and five additional felony counts relating to the above charges.
He was found guilty by a St. Lawrence County trial jury following a seven day trial.
Evidence at trial established that between April 2023 and October 2023, the defendant perpetrated multiple acts of rape and sexual abuse against a child with whom he was acquainted, the district attorney’s office said.
D.A. Pasqua stated, “This defendant committed horrific acts of sexual abuse on an innocent child and has now been brought to justice. My office will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute sexual offenders that prey upon our children. I commend the bravery and courage of the victim to come forward in this case.”
D.A. Pasqua also commended Assistant District Attorneys Dillon Bullard and Jamie Biondolillo for their hard work and skilled prosecution. He praised the New York State Police for their excellent and thorough investigation and the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center for their assistance with the prosecution.
Catskill man admits guilt, sentenced
in child sex abuse case
CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10)– A Catskill man admitted to having child sex abuse images and was sentenced to prison. According to the Greene County District Attorney’s Office, Peter Lentz, 43, will spend four years in prison.
In March, troopers arrested Lentz after a sex crime investigation that began in 2024.
He was accused of owning numerous photos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. He was subsequently charged with five counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child under 16.
On May 13, Lentz pleaded guilty to possession of a sexual performance by a child and failure to register as a sex offender. The same day, Lentz was sentenced to serve four years in prison and an additional 12 years of probation, after his release.
According to the New York State Sex Offender Registry, Lentz was previously convicted in August 2011 for sexual abuse in the first degree, with a person less than 11 years old and possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child less than 16. He was also convicted in July 2020 for possessing a sexual performance by a child less than 16.
Lentz was remanded to the Greene County Jail, awaiting transfer to state custody.
Massachusetts man guilty of raping
three-year-old
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (NEWS10)– On Wednesday, a North Adams man was found guilty of raping a three-year-old child in 2019. According to the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office, Austin Miller-Robinson, 29, was found guilty of multiple charges.
Officials said Miller-Robinson committed the crime on July 4, 2019. He was 23 years old.
Miller-Robinson was found guilty by a jury in Berkshire Superior Court. According to the DA’s Office, he was found guilty of:
- Aggravated Rape of a Child with Force
- Rape and Abuse of a Child Aggravated by Age Difference
“While we are pleased with today’s verdict, it brings to light the horrific abuse that exists in the fringes of society. This guilty verdict provides a measure of justice for an innocent child who endured unimaginable harm at the hands of an adult,” District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said. “It is my hope that today begins the process of closure for the victim’s family and an opportunity for healing and moving forward.”
Unfortunately, it is not on the fringes of society; it has permeated
right through to the heart of society.
According to Shugrue, the aggravated rape charge carries a minimum sentence of 15 years, as the rape and abuse charge carries a minimum sentence of 10 years. Miller-Robinson is expected to be back in court for sentencing on June 11.
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