Leader of international child porn ring
killed in prison fight
A man serving 40 years for running an online child-porn ring that ensnared over 100 young girls has died after what authorities believe to be a targeted stabbing attack by inmates at a Michigan prison.
Christian Maire, who led a group that enticed and blackmailed young girls to film themselves performing X-rated webcam shows, was fatally attacked by seven other inmates in the prison housing unit at Milan Federal Correctional Institution this week, Detroit News reports. He died several hours later after being taken to hospital. At least one of the inmates was armed with a makeshift “shiv.”
Michal Figura, another member of the ring they called the ‘Bored Group,’ was also injured. Two correctional staff were hurt trying to break up the fight. At least five other members of the Bored Group are also incarcerated at Milan. The prison has been placed on “limited operational status.”
Maire was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role as leader of an international child-porn ring in which he and his co-conspirators posed as adolescent boys on dating sites and convinced their victims to strip, perform sex acts, and even cut themselves live on webcam, sometimes blackmailing girls who were reluctant to comply with their demands. They also shared pornographic photos of children as young as infants. From 2012 until their arrest in 2017, they victimized over 100 teenage and pre-teen girls.
“He’s gonna get the hell beat out of him,” one of his victims predicted after his sentencing.
Calling the death “a horrible tragedy,” Maire’s lawyer said that “it seems something like this should have been able to be avoided.”
No, a horrible tragedy was his life, and the possibility that he would ever see daylight again.
FBI joins manhunt for suspect in alleged N.H. kidnapping, sexual assault
By LAUREL J. SWEET | Boston Herald
The FBI has joined the manhunt for an escapee from a substance-abuse rehabilitation facility authorities said randomly kidnapped a woman and her child Saturday from the Mall of New Hampshire in Manchester and forced them to drive him to a hotel in Vermont, where he sexually assaulted the mother.
The mother and child are now safe!
Everett Simpson, 41, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., is believed to be driving a stolen silver 2014 Kia Forte sedan with New Hampshire license plate 396 7479, according to Vermont State Police. It was unclear if the car belongs to the alleged victim.
Police urge anyone who knows of Simpson’s whereabouts to call 911, Vermont State Police or police in Hartford, Vt., at 802-295-9425.
The public is urged to use extreme caution and not approach Simpson. Authorities described him as a white male, 6 feet, 3 inches tall, approximately 255 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. Simpson is balding, they said.
Police said their investigation indicates Simpson escaped from a substance-abuse rehabilitation facility in eastern Vermont three days ago.
Saturday’s incident began at about 1 p.m. outside the Mall of New Hampshire, police said.
“A man later identified as Simpson forced a woman and her child into their car and drove to Vermont,” police said in a statement. “On reaching White River Junction, Simpson forced the woman to rent a room at a local hotel, where he proceeded to sexually assault the victim. The victim is a stranger who was targeted at random. When Simpson left the hotel room, the victim and child were able to reach safety and contact the police.”
Missouri sheriff's deputy is sentenced to 20 years
after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a young girl
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
A former Missouri sheriff's deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a young girl.
Joe Newlon, who was a Greene County Deputy, admitted that he 'messed up' in a statement before he was sentenced Friday.
The 58-year-old was accused of having a sexual relationship with a girl, starting when she was 12 years old, the Springfield News Leader reports.
Authorities say the abuse started in January 2015 and continued until March 2016.
Newlon was accused of grooming the girl. He contended that both he and the victim were to blame, alleging that the girl encouraged him.
Newlon said he would sometimes wake up to find the victim on top of him. He added that he acknowledged he was the adult and should have said no.
"I messed up. I will live with this the rest of my life. It's been terrifying for me," Newlon said. "I've lost (family). Some of the things the attorney said is speculation. But I admit I did wrong."
Authorities say the girl told Child Advocacy Center officials that Newlon once slapped her in the face and pointed a shotgun at her.
Greene Co., MO
New York gym teacher, 54, charged with having sex with a 16-year-old former student
By MARY KEKATOS FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and ASSOCIATED PRESS
Police have arrested a Long Island middle school teacher on charges he had a sexual relationship with a former student.
Brentwood North Middle School gym teacher and wrestling coach Thomas Barton was placed in handcuffs on Friday at his home in Medford, New York, Newsday reported.
Records show the 54-year-old has been charged with third-degree rape, third-degree criminal sex act and endangering the welfare of a child.
Prosecutors told News 12 that his relationship with the student began when the girl was just 15 years old. When the girl turned 16 in June 2018, their relationship progressed to oral sex and sexual intercourse, the outlet reported.
The age of consent in New York is 17 years old and any activity under that age is considered by law to be statutory rape.
A police spokesperson would not reveal how officers were made aware of the relationship but said there could be more victims.
In a statement emailed to Newsday, Brentwood schools Superintendent Richard Loeschner said: 'The employee has been administratively reassigned from his job responsibilities and is prohibited from entering school grounds.'
Loeschner added that the district is fully cooperating with the police investigation. A district representative told Newsday that Barton has worked as a teacher in the district for about 30 years.
Records from Empire Center show Barton made $146,202 at Brentwood Union Free Schools. He is also listed as having made $57,359 last year at Dundee Central Schools.
It is currently unclear if Barton is married or if he has children.
Barton was arraigned on Saturday at Suffolk First District Court in Central Islip, where he pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of rape, Newsday reported.
He is currently being held on $40,000 cash bail or a $20,000 bond is not allowed to have contact with the victim. He is expected to be back in court on Thursday, January 10.
Anyone with information is asked to call Suffolk Police Special Victims Section at (631) 852-6531 between Monday and Friday from 9am to 12am.
Man accused of repeated sexual abuse of a minor
arrested in Arizona
Shaq Davis Arizona Daily Star
A man accused of repeatedly molesting a child several years ago has been arrested after a month-long U.S. Marshals Service investigation, authorities said.
On Nov. 20, an arrest warrant was issued for Zachary Kealoha, 26, to face five counts of sexual assault and sexual misconduct of a minor at least 15 years old, a U.S. Marshals news release said.
He had been accused of "numerous incidents of rape and molestation" of a girl between the ages of seven and 11. The alleged crimes occurred about five years ago.
On Thursday, U.S. Marshals tracked Kealoha to a home in Corona de Tucson and arrested him once he came outside.
“No child should ever be subjected to sexual abuse, especially by a trusted individual,” said David Gonzales, District of Arizona U.S. Marshal.
Kealoha was booked into the Pima County Jail.
Appeal denied in child sex case:
Texan’s 108-year sentence upheld
Tommy Culkin
Donald Robertson, who last year was sentenced to 108 years in prison for child sex crimes against Lamar County children, failed Friday in his attempt to appeal the verdict.
In his appeal, Robertson claimed the court improperly admitted extraneous offense evidence of his sexual assaults against other children, sustained the state’s hearsay objection to a police report, concluded the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 barred the introduction of a child’s medical records containing a recantation of an allegation of sexual abuse, allowed the state to present an expert witness on grooming, overruled his request for a second court-appointed expert to assist in preparing a defense and overruled Robertson’s request for a free transcript of a pretrial hearing.
Lamar Co., TX
Former Maui minister sentenced in plea deal
over sex assault, child porn charges
By HNN Staff
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A former Maui wedding minister has been sentenced in connection to several sexual assault charges.
Dennis DeRego was sentenced to five years in prison Friday after pleading no contest to felony child pornography, and misdemeanor assault.
He was originally indicted on 10 counts of sex assault and promoting child abuse.
DeRego first made headlines in 2015 after the allegations surfaced.
Utah Foster parent charged with 100 counts of child pornography possession: ‘I just like to look’
BY CARLEY PORTER, FOX13
PLEASANT GROVE, Utah — Police arrested a Utah man Thursday after searching his home and finding over 100 pictures and videos of child pornography on his cellphone.
Police also charged 57-year-old John Kimble with 20 counts of voyeurism after he admitted to filming three of his foster children without their knowledge or permission, according to charging documents. He is also charged with three counts of child sexual abuse and 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor for manufacturing child pornography.
Charging documents state police first became aware of the situation and ordered a search warrant after one of the foster children, a 15-year-old, called his sister and told her he found a digital camera device hidden inside a candle holder in the bathroom he showered in.
The teen’s sister, an adult female who Kimble also fostered, called the police. According to charging documents, the female lived in Kimble’s home until June 2018 and told police she had seen the same hidden camera in the bathroom but didn’t report it to police out of fear.
The adult female told police Kimble was known to enter the bathroom immediately before and immediately after any of his foster children used it to shower, supposedly to set up the hidden camera and then retrieve it, charging documents state.
In addition, the woman told police her 10-year-old brother, who Kimble still has custody of, recently was forced to strip naked and then stand in front of Kimble inside Kimble’s bedroom as a form of punishment, charging documents state.
Police executed a search warrant of Kimble’s home on Friday. Charging documents state the warrant was executed “without incident,” and Kimble agreed to answer questions without legal counsel after hearing his Miranda rights.
According to charging documents, Kimble admitted to owning two hidden cameras and also indicated police would find child pornography on the cameras, featuring three of his male teenaged foster children.
Charging documents state an officer asked Kimble if Kimble had ever touched any of the children sexually, to which Kimble responded, “No, I just like to look.” Documents also state Kimble indicated to police that he had pictures and video captured in the bathroom that was made without the foster children’s knowledge.
Police found the hidden camera originally described by the 15-year-old, according to charging documents. Documents state Kimble also told police about forcing his 10-year-old foster child to strip naked before Kimble spanked him as punishment, and that the naked spanking would take place in Kimble’s bedroom with the door closed.
Kimble has been charged with three counts of child sexual abuse because of the incidents with the 10-year-old. Child sexual abuse is a first-degree felony. Manufacturing child pornography and possession of child pornography are second-degree felonies, while voyeurism is a class A misdemeanor.
Police have requested Kimble be held without bail. He is currently in Utah County Jail.
Woman arrested for alleged child sex abuse in Texas
By Field Walsh
The Bowie County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman last month for the alleged abuse of a young girl in 2008.
Casie Rian Sparks Switzer, 35, was arrested Dec. 27 on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14. According to a probable cause affidavit, Switzer was in a romantic relationship and lived with the alleged victim’s father in Maud, Texas, between 2008 and 2011.
The affidavit alleges Switzer sexually assaulted the girl, then 6 and now 16, with her foot and toe in the home’s living room while the girl’s father was outside. The alleged victim reported that Switzer told her that if she told about what was done to her, her mother and father would go to jail. The girl was able to provide a drawing of the layout of the room where the assault allegedly occurred.
The girl reported that memories of the abuse recently surfaced. Switzer allegedly commented on a photo of the alleged victim posted on social media by someone else. The girl said the social media contact brought her emotions concerning the alleged abuse back and she decided to tell her mother. The girl’s mother reported the alleged abuse to the sheriff’s office.
Switzer denied any wrongdoing during an interview with investigators in December. according to the affidavit. Switzer allegedly told the investigator she was the subject of a Child Protective Services sexual abuse investigation involving her own daughter in the past but was cleared of the allegations.
Switzer is currently free on a $75,000 bond. Aggravated sexual assault of a child is punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison.
Wanted man apprehended in Illinois
in sex abuse case
Father arrested for concealing his son
Robert Sanchez
A 31-year-old man wanted for failing to appear in court on a criminal sexual abuse case was arrested after authorities learned he was staying with his father in Crystal Lake.
Meanwhile, the father was arrested on charges of concealing his son from authorities.
The Lake County sheriff's office warrants team, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service-Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, on Friday apprehended John A. Redmond, previously of the 2000 block of Butrick Street, Waukegan.
The charges against Redmond, a registered sexual offender, stem from a 2013 Vernon Hills police investigation. He was also wanted on felony child pornography charges stemming from a 2016 Mundelein police investigation.
After Redmond's information was posted to the sheriff's most wanted list, anonymous sources provided tips on his possible whereabouts and members of the warrants team developed information that he was likely staying with a family member in Crystal Lake. On Friday, he was seen leaving that residence. Deputies followed him to a worksite in Fremont Township and arrested him.
Redmond's father, Edward A. Redmond, 68, of the 300 block of Valhalla Circle, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of obstructing service of process.
John Redmond was being held in the Lake County jail on $500,000 bail. Edward Redmond was released on a $1,500 recognizance bond. The next court date for both men is on Jan. 29.
Illinois teacher is accused of sexually abusing
14-year-old boy
Alicia Fabbre
Chicago Tribune
A woman who until Wednesday was a teacher at Reed-Custer High School in Braidwood is in the Will County jail on $1 million bail, accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy.
Dayna Chidester, 50, is charged with six counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count each of indecent solicitation of a child and unlawful grooming for the alleged relationship she had with the teen, who lives in southwest suburban Manhattan and is not a student at Reed-Custer, authorities said.
Chidester, of Manhattan, was arrested Thursday, but she had resigned as a teacher on Wednesday in the wake of another investigation unrelated to the sex abuse allegations. School officials and police said the separate investigation involves allegations Chidester exchanged texts about illegal drugs with a student at Reed-Custer. No charges have been filed in that case.
Chidester appeared in Will County bond court Friday on the sex abuse case and broke down in tears as the charges were read and details of the case were revealed.
The alleged acts occurred between Sept. 1 and Dec. 27, 2018, according to the criminal complaint.
Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeff Brown detailed the alleged abuse, noting that Chidester engaged in various sexual acts with the minor at her home, in her car and at local motels. Brown said the relationship also included explicit text messages and nude photos sent between the two. He noted that child pornography charges may be added later based on the results of the ongoing investigation.
Chidester allegedly confirmed that text messages and photos were sent electronically and that she had a sexual relationship with the victim, according to a news release from the Will County state’s attorney’s office.
A man who identified himself as Chidester’s husband in court declined comment following the bond hearing in Joliet.
According to a statement from Reed-Custer Community School District Superintendent Mark Mitchell, Chidester resigned Wednesday, about two weeks after Braidwood police, based on a tip from a parent, launched an investigation of Chidester. The parent told a school resource officer that Chidester had been texting a student about illegal drugs, Mitchell said.
The Braidwood investigation is ongoing, according to Braidwood police Chief Nick Ficarello.
On Thursday, the day after Chidester resigned, Reed-Custer officials learned of her arrest for the alleged incidents with the Manhattan teen, Mitchell said.
Mitchell said Chidester was a consumer/family science teacher at Reed-Custer.
Prosecutors said that Chidester taught at Thornwood High School in South Holland before joining the staff at Reed-Custer. She was listed as a science teacher for the 2015-16 school year at Thornwood, according to the Thornton Township High School District 205 website.
The investigation that led to the sex abuse charges was conducted by the Manhattan Police Department, the Will County state’s attorney’s office's high technology crimes unit and the Will County sheriff’s office.
In December, a 28-year-old teacher in the Reed-Custer school district, Kevin Macha, was charged with possession of child pornography.
In November, a lawsuit was filed against the school district by parents who alleged their son was subjected to hazing at a high school football practice and later endured harassment from students and at least one teacher. Mitchell called the allegations “baseless.” Three teens were charged criminally as juveniles in alleged incident.
Illinois man arrested for child sexual assault charges
By WIFR Newsroom
ROCKFORD, Ill. -- A Rockford man accused of sexually assaulting children is behind bars.
Douglas A. Valentine, 40, had been arrested on Oct. 11, 2018 for allegedly making sexual contact with a juvenile girl.
Valentine had charges filed against him Friday after a warrant. He faces charges of criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child.
In a follow-up investigation, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Detectives learned Valentine was connected to at least two other incidents of sexual abuse. Detectives say the incidents happened in the 1200 block of Blue Ridge Ave. in Rockford between from June 1 to September 1, 2018.
Valentine is being held in Winnebago County Jail. He is considered innocent unless proven guilty by the court of law.
Deputies ask to call the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department at 815-319-6400 if you have any additional information on these incidents or similar incidents.
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