15 men arrested for child sex abuse material in
"Operation Creeper Ban"
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- More than a dozen men were taken into custody, accused of possessing and sharing child sex abuse materials.
The Fresno County Sheriff's Office called the multi-agency effort "Operation Creeper Ban."
15 suspects between the ages of 19 to 42 were arrested. The operation was conducted between June 9 through June 13 and as part of it, detectives posed as teenagers.
The Sheriff's Office says 11 search warrants were served at homes connected to the suspects.
13 arrests were made in Madera and Fresno Counties.
There were also 61 electronic devices seized.
Most of the suspects have since posted bond and have been assigned a date to appear in court.
Kingston chiropractor pleads guilty, possessed 'thousands' of child sex abuse images
- A local chiropractor has been accused of possessing sexual abuse material.
- Dr. John Boyle, of KIngston, pleaded guilty in Ulster County Court on June 13.
- His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 19.
A Kingston chiropractor pleaded guilty in Ulster County Court on June 13 to several charges related to the possession of child sexual abuse material.
He entered those pleas before visiting Sullivan County Court Judge James Farrell.
Boyle's arrest was a result of a lengthy investigation by New York State Police.
According to the district attorney's office, Boyle was found in possession of thousands of images and videos containing child sexual abuse material.
Boyle also allegedly shared several of the images via text message and the mobile applications Session and Telegram.
Boyle is free on $200,000 bond while he awaits a sentencing planned for Sept. 19.
"This plea today brings near to a close a very traumatic revelation in our community that one loved and trusted by many in Kingston lived a private life so abhorrent in law and morality," Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said in a statement released by his office. "Hopefully, his plea sends a strong message dissuading those harboring intentions to perpetuate child and human trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation, and promoting such activities."
Boyle's attorney, Vincent Scala, said, "My client has repeatedly expressed regrets for his example of poor judgement."
"It is absolutely not who he is," Scala continued. "He is a good and decent man who made a mistake. He agreed to spare the community and his family a trial. I hope people can see him as a whole person and not just an error in judgement."
Duluth man accused of 'gut-wrenching' sex abuse of 2 children
The 37-year-old is described as a "serial sexual offender," having previously been prosecuted in Iowa for similar offenses.
DULUTH — A man is accused of a pattern of “serious and gut-wrenching” sexual abuse against two children more than a decade ago.
Nathaniel Lee Matthews Sr., 37, of Duluth, was arraigned Monday on five felony charges after a criminal investigation that was reopened last month. Charging documents state that the two victims came forward to disclose a “horrifying” series of incidents, each starting when they were approximately 4-5 years old.
Matthews was previously prosecuted for similar offenses that occurred in Iowa when he was a juvenile.
According to court documents:
A male victim was interviewed at First Witness Child Advocacy Center, recalling that he was sexually touched by Matthews on more than one occasion.
He also stated that the defendant would hit him with a hanger if he did not comply, and he recalled witnessing Matthews sexually assault a female victim.
The girl soon after met with a Duluth Police Department investigator, reporting that she was abused approximately twice a day for about a year.
She indicated Matthews would force her and the male victim to engage in various sexual activities. The defendant, she said, would provide direction while watching what he described as his “television” for pornography.
The female victim also described numerous instances in which Matthews sexually assaulted her. She said she would try to fight him, but eventually stopped because she was not big enough. There were many times, she added, that he tied her down.
The girl said Matthews warned her not to tell anyone about the abuse and that she never felt safe talking about any of the incidents because he would “regularly hit and threaten her.” She said she has continued to experience nightmares in the years since.
An investigation had previously been launched in 2015, but the young child at the time provided minimal information before indicating "didn't want to talk about it anymore and was worried about talking about it." The case, therefore, was closed at that time.
Matthews in March 2014 was arrested in Duluth and extradited to Buena Vista County, Iowa, to face six child sexual abuse charges related to conduct that had occurred there a decade earlier. He was 15 when he reportedly abused a 5-year-old child.
Initially charged as an adult, the case was returned to juvenile court as part of a plea agreement in which he was adjudicated delinquent of second-degree sexual abuse in November 2015.
The offense dates listed in the new Duluth charges suggest several of the alleged crimes occurred while his Iowa case was pending.
Matthews faces five counts of criminal sexual conduct — two in the first degree and three in the second degree. A single conviction on the top count for a first-time offender carries a presumptive 12 years in prison.
“The state has significant public safety concerns surrounding defendant and his conduct,” St. Louis County prosecutor Allison Cogbill told the court. “Defendant is a serial sexual offender, and a high bail is necessary to ensure the safety of the victims in this matter, as well as the safety of the community as a whole.”
Judge Eric Hylden set bail at $50,000 with conditions or $150,000 without. Matthews’ next court appearance was scheduled for June 27.
To get help
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
First Witness Child Advocacy Center: 218-727-8353, firstwitness.org/contact-us
National Sexual Assault Hotline:24/7 hotline: 800-656-4673
Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA):serves Duluth, Superior and Ashland, Bayfield and Douglas counties; 24/7 hotline 800-649-2921; submit a help request at casda.org/get-help
Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA):serves southern St. Louis County; 24/7 hotline 218-726-1931
Sexual Assault Program of Northern St. Louis County:serves northern St. Louis County; 218-749-4725; leave a message and an advocate will be contacted 24/7
Family Pathways:serves Carlton and Pine counties; 24/7 hotline 800-338-7233
Support Within Reach:serves Aitkin and Itasca counties; hotline 866-747-5008
North Shore Horizons:serves Lake County; 24/7 hotline 218-834-5924
Violence Prevention Center:serves Cook County; 24/7 hotline 218-387-1237
Friends Against Abuse:serves Koochiching County; 24/7 hotline 888-344-3264
Fond du Lac Reservation:24/7 hotline 218-348-1817
Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa:Grand Portage Human Services 218-475-2453
Bois Forte Tribal Government–Victim Services Program:emergency cell 218-248-0067
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