Baylor head coach re-emerges in
Canadian Football League
Art Briles, fired after sex assault scandal at Baylor, joins Ticats staff
The Canadian Press
Even on their bye week, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are managing to create controversy.
The Ticats touched off a media firestorm Monday by announcing Art Briles will join new head coach June Jones' staff as an assistant offence head coach. Briles, 61, was fired in May 2016 as Baylor's head football coach after an investigation discovered the school mishandled numerous sexual assault allegations, including some against football players.
Briles' appointment drew plenty of criticism on social media, including from Theo Fleury, the former NHL star who was sexually abused by his junior coach, Graham James.
"If you knew and didn't say anything then you are just as much a part of rape as the people who committed rape. Shame on CFL," Fleury tweeted.
Many other people urged CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie to step in and void Briles' hiring. In a statement released Monday afternoon, the league said only Ambrosie was in "continuing discussions" with the Ticats about Briles.
The Ticats didn't mention the circumstances of Briles' firing from Baylor in their release. And there were no comments regarding the hire from Jones, vice-president of football operations Kent Austin or owner Bob Young.
Briles was not personally involved in any sexual assaults, but along with others, apparently, knew of some and covered them up:
A report from an outside law firm found the school "failed to take appropriate action to respond to reports of sexual assault and dating violence reportedly committed by football players. The choices made by football staff and athletics leadership, in some instances, posed a risk to campus safety and the integrity of the University."
The report also found Baylor administrators actively discouraged some complainants from reporting or participating in student conduct processes and in one case constituted retaliation against a complainant for reporting sexual assault.
'Second chance'
Scott Mitchell, the Ticats' CEO, didn't immediately return a telephone message. But Mitchell told 3DownNation, a football blog, that both Young and the CFL were well aware of Hamilton's intention to hire Briles and the organization has no intention of rescinding the move.
"This is about giving someone a second chance and we're committed to doing that," Mitchell said. "For every reaction that you're getting from social media and media, there's a tremendous amount of support behind the scenes for a tough decision.
"I think a lot of people in this world, including myself, have made bad decisions and have regrets and I certainly feel strongly that in this case, Art Briles deserves a second opportunity."
What's more, the Ticats announced the hiring of Briles on the same day as they were scheduled to host a women's football clinic.
Jones and Briles were scheduled to meet with reporters Tuesday afternoon.
'Excited to be back coaching'
"He's excited to be back in the coaching game, I believe he belongs in college football but his skills translate to any level," Briles' attorney, Mark Lanier, told The Associated Press. "He's excited to be looking at Xs and Os. He's with a great staff. He's just really thrilled about it. I think they'll find him so incredible that they'll want to keep him."
Baylor has already settled at least two Title IX lawsuits against the school, and earlier this month reached a deal with former student Jasmin Hernandez , the first of several women to file federal Title IX lawsuits against the world's largest Baptist university.
The school previously settled with three women who hadn't sued. Briles has acknowledged making mistakes and apologized for some "bad things that went on under my watch."
Briles was 50-15 in five seasons at Baylor, taking the long downtrodden program to two Big 12 championships. He has also pushed back against accusations made against him and his program in lawsuits and made clear that he wanted to return to coaching.
"He's no longer in any lawsuits, his ties to Baylor are purely ties of friendship to a lot of the people there," Lanier said. "He's excited to turn that page and get to work."
Ticats sponsor upset
Barry's Jewellers Ltd., one of the Ticats sponsors, denounced the hiring of Briles.
"We strongly condemn and urge the team's management and ownership to immediately sever any ties they may have," the sponsor said in a statement. "Mr. Briles may or may not have a valid coaching track record, but to choose the chance of winning football over the importance of values goes beyond our core values and is absolutely not acceptable."
The jewelry retailer said it will be donating a portion of its sales over the next two months to the Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton.
Hamilton (0-8) is the CFL's only winless team. Last week, Austin relinquished head-coaching duties and promoted Jones to that post. Jones joined the Ticats following their embarrassing 60-1 road loss to the Calgary Stampeders on July 29.
Another American heads north to escape past and present
Escaping polygamy: northern Ontario woman helps mom and kids escape fundamentalist Mormon sect
CBC News
When Andrea Sacchetto decided to live off the grid in northern Ontario, she had no idea she'd eventually be helping a woman flee from the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints church in Utah.
Sacchetto said she has been living off-grid since 2016, when she moved out of the city and built her own house, touching base with other off-gridders through a Facebook group.
It was in that group Sacchetto met a mother who said she was leaving the FLDS and looking to build a self-sustainable home.
Sacchetto said once she understood the woman's situation, she extended an invitation to visit the property.
"She had essentially been judged non-worthy of being part of the community," Sacchetto said. "Where if you've committed any offences or gone against the church you're sent away...to spend your time atoning for your sins, and trying to get back into the fold of the community."
The FLDS has at least 10,000 members across North America — including a 1,000-member community in Bountiful near Creston, B.C. It is a radical offshoot of mainstream Mormonism and believes polygamy brings exaltation in heaven. Members see convicted sex offender Warren Jeffs as God's spokesman on earth.
"It was very much a patriarchal environment, very misogynistic," Sacchetto said. "If one of his many wives displeased him, or was not following common practices, or was questioning too much, [the man] would be in a position to go to his bishop and establish a case where the wife could be sent away into a non-member community, as well as take any children to be raised by one of his other wives."
Return to get children
Sacchetto's new friend returned to Utah, where she packed up her children and fled back to northern Ontario.
"They stayed for five weeks on the property," she said. "I realized they needed to decompress coming from an environment that was incredibly strict. It was almost as if they were suffering from post-traumatic stress."
"They're lovely people, a lovely family," Sacchetto said. "It's rewarding to see her children laugh and run through the property and play with my chickens and dogs, and not feel like they were being constantly supervised or scrutinized for everything they do."
Once the family settled in, Sacchetto said the next decision was clear.
"After that we decided that it would be best with moving forward to becoming Canadian citizens."
Sacchetto said the family is now in a women's shelter, where they're completing the Canadian immigration process, and should know in a few weeks if they qualify.
In addition to helping the woman and her family through the paperwork, Sacchetto started a GoFundMe campaign to raise enough money to help the family get clothes and basic needs while going through the immigration process.
Woman gets 4 life sentences, had sex with daughter
TULSA - A district court judge told a woman Monday that "for you to ruin your daughter's life is reprehensible," then gave her four life sentences on multiple counts of sexual abuse.
Dana Langley, 46, and James Don Booker, 27, co-defendants in the case were charged with 14 counts of sexual abuse in a case in which both were accused of having sex with the woman's 14-year-old daughter.
Judge Sharon Holmes hit the Sand Springs woman with two life sentences for enabling child sexual abuse and two life sentences for child sexual abuse after Langley entered a blind plea, which means she plead guilty, but left judgment to the court.
Langley also received a pair of 20-year sentences in the case. The life sentences are to run concurrently.
Booker's case is still pending.
Court documents say the two defendants performed several sexual acts together with the young girl, and the mother stood by while Booker acted alone with the girl.
Ph.D. Research Scientist Arrested On 50 Counts Of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse, Police Say
Corey Koch was reportedly arrested at his place of work after police found thousands of child sex abuse images on his cell phone
By Travis Loose (Patch Staff)
PHILOMATH, OR — A Corvallis man on Monday was arrested by police detectives for more than 50 counts of encouraging child sex abuse, according to Corvallis police spokesman Lt. Daniel Duncan.
Corey Robert Koch, 35, was taken to the Benton County Jail in Corvallis on 54 counts of second degree encouraging child sex abuse. His bail is set at $4 million.
Koch's arrest Monday reportedly stems from a previous arrest on April 13, when Koch was allegedly found "peeping through the window of a partially dressed female" in the 700-block of Southwest Washington Avenue in Corvallis, Duncan said.
Koch, who was wearing a mask at the time, was allegedly caught by a community member who confronted him in the act, Duncan said. Koch reportedly ran but was detained by the community member until police arrived.
Following his arrest, Koch was charged with invasion of personal privacy and criminal trespass. (That case had a plea hearing scheduled for Sept. 1.) His cellphone, which was taken as evidence, was later found to contain several photos of other unidentified females in various stages of undress, Duncan said, noting the females were likely unaware they were being photographed.
Additionally, thousands of child sex abuse images were reportedly found on Koch's phone, leading to his arrest Aug. 28 at his place of work.
Koch, according to his employer's website, is a Ph.D. research associate for Sea-Bird Scientific in Philomath, Oregon, a small town on Highway 20 west of Corvallis.
Koch, the website says, "has a background in analytical chemistry with a focus on in-situ sensor development, miniaturization, and environmental chemistry. His interests lie in biogeochemistry, oil spill science & sensors, fate and transport of pollutants, microfluidics, reagent chemistry, spectroscopy, and instrument design."
The investigation will continue, Duncan said. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to call Det. Greg Kantola at 541-766-6781.
Grand Junction man arrested for
felony sex crimes against children
BY ANN LAURICELLO,
MESA COUNTY, Colo. — A Grand Junction man was taken into custody Sunday night for multiple felony charges of sex crimes against children.
According to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, 30-year-old Brian Matthew Tate is accused of having unlawful sexual contact with two girls while a working as a youth services specialist at the Grand Mesa Youth Services Center in Grand Junction.
All of the victims were incarcerated at the time of the alleged assaults.
According to a statement released by the Colorado Department of Human Services, a youth at the facility reported an incident of abuse by Tate on July 28.
The employee was placed on leave and fired shortly after.
Tate faces charges that include two counts Sexual Assault on a Child Position of Trust, one count Sexual Assault, three counts Sexual Assault on a Child Position of Trust, three counts Sexual Assault on a Child Pattern of Abuse, one count Criminal Attempt of Unlawful Sexual Contact and 6 counts of First Degree Official Misconduct.
The director of the Division of Youth Services said law enforcement is notified as soon as allegations of employee sexual abuse come to light.
Tate was an employee at the facility for less than a year. He was hired in December of 2016.
Tate is currently being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility on a No Bond Hold until first court appearance.
The case is under investigation.
Cop is 3rd in family charged with child sex abuse
by: Crystal Bonvillian, Cox Media Group National
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - An Alabama sheriff’s deputy was charged earlier this month with sexually abusing a 12-year-old family member, and records show that he is the third man in his family to be accused of child sex abuse.
Roland Gilbert Campos Jr., 63, was booked into the Madison County Jail Aug. 18, an hour after he resigned his position with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. AL.com reported that Campos, a 10-year veteran of the department who investigated white collar crime, resigned three hours after the alleged abuse was reported.
Lt. Brian Chaffin, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, said during an Aug. 21 news conference that the Huntsville Police Department was called in to assist in the investigation, as was the National Child Advocacy Center, which is based in Huntsville.
The alleged abuse occurred in February, Huntsville police Lt. Stacy Bates told WHNT News 19 in Huntsville. He declined to give further details of the allegations.
Campos is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, according to jail records. He was released on $10,000 bail the day after his arrest.
Allegations of child sex abuse have been rampant in Campos’ family. His son, Roland Gilbert Campos III, is serving two life sentences, without the possibility of parole, for sodomizing the 5-year-old daughter of his girlfriend, according to AL.com.
The former investigator’s brother, Russell Leland Campos, was indicted in 2011 on two counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12, but that case never went to trial. AL.com reported in August 2014, the month after Roland Campos III was sentenced to life, that Madison County prosecutors had determined they did not have enough evidence to prosecute Russell Campos on the charges.
In prosecutors’ motion to “nolle prosse” the case, they said the state couldn’t prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt without the testimony of the young alleged victim, who was “unable to testify due to the ongoing effects of psychological trauma.”
A judge continued the case for 120 days to give the girl more time, but ultimately granted the motion to drop the case after an attorney appointed to represent the girl reported back that even mentioning the case or testifying would send the girl into tears and panic attacks, AL.com said.
The judge pointed out at the time that there is no statute of limitations in Alabama on the sex abuse charges and that the case could be brought again if the girl became able to testify.
Unlicensed Lawyer Charged With Child Porn and Stealing from Client: Police
By David Chang
A Delaware County man was arrested for allegedly possessing child porn, stealing from his client and practicing law without a valid Pennsylvania license.
Brendan Magee, 39, of Clifton Heights, is charged with possessing child pornography, the sexual abuse of children, criminal use of communication facility, unauthorized practice of law and theft by deception.
The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received information that a person using Google had uploaded images of suspected child pornography to his account. On June 14, Delaware County detectives and Clifton Heights Police officers executed a search warrant at Magee’s home on the 500 block of S. Church Street.
Magee, who was home at the time of the search, initially claimed his Gmail account had been hacked and shut down, denied he ever viewed child porn and claimed he didn’t currently have a computer, investigators said. As the questions continued, Magee allegedly became uncooperative and told detectives he didn’t want to continue speaking.
During the search, several pieces of digital equipment, including a laptop and several electronic devices, were confiscated. Investigators say they found more than 50 photos and one video of child porn in the equipment.
In a separate investigation, police determined Magee had been practicing law without being a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania. Investigators say Magee’s law license was suspended by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in December, 2016 after he failed to disclose he didn’t have a valid law license and had used another attorney’s registration number while representing a client in February of 2014. Police also say Magee failed to provide services in a child custody case in December of 2014 and unlawfully took payment.
Detectives believe Magee may have also victimized other people. If you have any information on him, please call Det. Sgt. Bellis at 610-891-4717.
Magee was arraigned Friday and remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility after failing to post ten percent of $350,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is set for September 7.
ICE HSI Phoenix Arrests Man for Child Sex Crimes
By AST Administrator
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
An Arizona man is expected to make his initial appearance in state court Friday following his arrest by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for allegedly sexually exploiting at least one 13-year-old girl.
Alejandro Ledesma, 20, from La Paz County, will remain in custody pending his arraignment on four counts of sexually exploiting a minor.
The criminal charges resulted from an investigation by HSI Phoenix in collaboration with the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department. This case is being prosecuted by the La Paz County Attorney’s Office.
“This arrest represents yet another prime example of HSI’s ongoing efforts to protect our children from predators who would seek to sexually exploit them,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge of HSI Phoenix.
“HSI routinely collaborates with its local law enforcement partners to combat this type of crime.”
“The La Paz County Sheriff’s Department was happy to work with HSI in this investigation,” said La Paz County Sheriff William D. Risen.
During the course of the probe, investigators examined over 20 images and videos discovered on the defendant’s electronic devices. HSI special agents have already identified one 13-year-old female victim in North Carolina.
As the investigation progressed, HSI special agents also identified two other unknown young girls in images and videos participating in lewd acts.
Anyone with information about Ledesma – or his internet chatroom handle “Donk Malandrine” – is encouraged to call HSI’s toll-free tip line: 1-866-2DHS-ICE [1-866-234-7423].
If convicted of four counts of sexually exploiting a minor, Ladesma would face a mandatory minimum penalty of 40 years in state prison and a potential maximum penalty of up to 96 years.
Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 16,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children.
In fiscal year 2016, more than 2,600 child predators were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 800 victims identified or rescued.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
Le Paz Co., AZ
Therapist who groped young girl pleads to sexual abuse
By Frank Donnelly
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Dongan Hills psychotherapist accused of groping a 12-year-old girl he was treating and subjecting two other young patients to sexual contact, has pleaded guilty to sexual abuse.
In exchange for his misdemeanor plea, Gilberto Suero, 49, has been sentenced in state Supreme Court St. George, to four months in jail and must register with state authorities as a sexual offender.
Police said Suero treated the victims at his primary office at 1272 Richmond Road. His family home on Buel Avenue was listed as a second office by Healthcare for People, an online directory of healthcare providers nationwide. Neighbors said there used to be a sign posted outside the home that read, "Psychotherapy: Let your healing begin."
Authorities alleged the defendant touched a 12-year-old girl on her inner thigh and buttocks, and attempted to kiss her on April 6 in his Richmond Road office. But before doing so, the licensed therapist told the girl, "You are so beautiful," according to court records.
Two weeks later on April 20, Suero kissed the girl on her nose and grabbed her buttocks, a criminal complaint said.
In addition, an indictment accused Suero of having inappropriate sexual contact between Dec. 21 and April 24 with two girls under age 11. The girls were clients of the Seamen's Society for Children and Families. Seamen's referred the clients to Suero.
After Suero's arrest, Seamen's CEO Dart Westphal said Suero was part of an ongoing investigation, but declined to comment further. The city Administration for Children's Services funds the group.
In a statement, ACS has said it was "deeply disturbed" by the allegations and was cooperating with the police investigation.
Suero's plea to second-degree sexual abuse covers all charges against him.
Under state law, a person is guilty of second-degree sexual abuse when he or she subjects a child under age 14 to sexual contact.
Prairie Middle School teacher faces 31 criminal charges in connection with child sexual abuse
By NOELLE PHILLIPS The Denver Post
The Prairie Middle School teacher accused of sexually assaulting students faces additional charges but no more victims have been reported.
Brian Vasquez was in court Monday morning to listen as he was charged with a total of 31 counts in connection with accusations that he sexually assaulted five students, according to a news release from the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
The most serious charge is sex assault on a child by a person in a position of trust (pattern of abuse), which is a Class 3 felony, the DA’s office said. Vasquez faces 11 counts.
He also has been charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of children, eight counts of unlawful sexual contact and two counts of internet luring of a child, according to a complaint filed in Arapahoe County District Court.
All of the alleged crimes were committed between Jan. 1, 2013, and Aug. 21, 2017, the complaint said. It did not offer further details of what is alleged to have happened between Vasquez and the children.
Vasquez remains in custody at the Arapahoe County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond.
Vasquez, who lives in Aurora, was arrested Aug. 22 at the middle school, which has more than 1,760 students in grades 6-8. He taught eighth-grade social studies and worked with Destination Imagination, an after-school program where students use arts, sciences and technology to solve problems and compete in competitions across the state. He has been placed on administrative lead by the Cherry Creek School District.
Vasquez also taught in two El Paso County school districts and worked at the San Luis Valley Youth Detention Center in Alamosa.
Another former Cherry Creek School District employee was scheduled to appear in court Monday for an arraignment but his hearing was postponed until Sept. 25
Broderick Lundie, 29, faces charges of sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust and sexual assault involving a 10-year age difference, according to records in Arapahoe County District Court.
Lundie allegedly had oral sex and exchanged nude pictures with a student at Grandview High School during the 2017 spring semester, according to his arrest affidavit. He had started a relationship with the student on Instagram, according to the documents.
Winnipeg man charged with sexually assaulting
6-year-old after Aussie tip
CBC News
A tip from Australian authorities has resulted in numerous charges against a Winnipeg man accused of sexually assaulting a child in Winnipeg this year and sharing the images online.
Const. Jay Murray told reporters Monday that Australian investigators notified Winnipeg police on Aug. 25 of a child sexual assault imagery investigation with a link to Winnipeg.
"The arrest of a male in Australia was critical to identifying a suspect," Murray said.
Winnipeg police picked up the investigation, and learned that a six-year-old child had been sexually assaulted at a residence in East Kildonan some time between January and August of this year.
Murray said images of the assault were intercepted by investigators when the pictures were shared with various users on an online messaging app.
Police closed in on a home in East Kildonan and arrested a Winnipeg man, 28. Police seized a number of electronic devices from the home.
The suspect, who remains in custody, faces numerous charges, including possessing and publication of child pornography, sexual assault and sexual interference.
'Under-discussed issue'
Signy Arnason with the Winnipeg-based Canadian Centre for Child Protection said her agency receives 3,500 reports of child sexual abuse imagery a month from Canadians. That figure has been going up by between 10 and 15 per cent annually, she said.
"I expect that trend, obviously, to continue," she said, adding a recent report found 70 per cent of the 44,000 images assessed included sexual assaults against children that were recorded in homes.
"What we know is the imagery is the Achilles heel of the offender. It's the recording of that content — whether it be images or videos — that ultimately works against them, because that's the evidence that the abuse occurred.
"Traditionally we would've relied upon children disclosing the abuse and then believing it. But now we have the imagery to prove in fact that these horrific crimes do, in fact, occur against children day in and day out."
Arnason said she is glad police worked together to make the bust. She feels child sexual abuse imagery is still an "under-discussed issue" that needs more attention.
"The idea [of] having to overcome not only the sexual abuse, but recognizing that that abuse has been recorded and shared amongst the offending community, is an additional layer of victimization and trauma, and can follow people into adulthood and require extensive therapeutic needs to address that."
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