Jackson, NH, man arrested on child sex abuse images, drug possession charges
Christopher Devries, a 37-year-old Jackson resident, was arrested Friday on charges of possession of both child sexual abuse images and drugs and falsifying physical evidence, police said.
The Jackson Police Department said in a news release Sunday that it and several other law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant of Devries' 34 Wilson Road home around 11:45 a.m. on Friday following a lengthy investigation into suspected child pornography activity.
Devries, who was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Carroll County Jail, is charged with six counts of possession of child sexual abuse images, one count of possession of drugs and one count of falsifying physical evidence, the release said.
Jackson also police found psilocybin mushrooms during the search, according to the news release.
Each count of possession of child sexual abuse images, which is a class A felony, is punishable by up to 15 years in New Hampshire State Prison and a $4,000 fine. Possession of psilocybin mushrooms, a class B felony, is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $4,000 fine.
Devries is being held without bail pending an arraignment in Carroll County Superior Court in Ossipee on Monday, according to the news release.
The case, which remains active and ongoing, originated from CyberTips received by the State of New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, according to the news release. Anyone who may have information on the case is encouraged to call Jackson Police Chief Christopher Perley at 603-383-9292.
The search was conducted by members of the I.C.A.C. Task Force from the Cheshire and Grafton County Sheriff's Office, detectives from the Plymouth Police Department, Conway Police Department and the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and Jackson Police Department officers.
Man faces child sexual abuse material charges
in Union Co., S.C.
in Union Co., S.C.
by: WSPA Staff
UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A Union County man is facing child sexual abuse material charges.
32-year-old Colton Blake Zelano, of Union, was arrested on five charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors on July 8, according to SC Attorney General Alan Wilson.
He is charged with five counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, which is a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.
Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which led them to Zelano. Investigators said Zelano possessed multiple files of child sexual abuse material.
According to the sheriff’s office pres release, child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant. Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Attorney General’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Marshals Service and Union County Sheriff’s Office, all also members of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation and arrest.
This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
Deputies: Man wanted for child sexual assault arrested in Shoreline, Wa
By: KIRO 7 News Staff
SHORELINE, Wash. — Deputies arrested a 49-year-old man who they say was wanted for seven counts of first-degree child sexual assault and promoting child abuse.
The man was arrested Friday morning in Shoreline.
Investigators said the man is a convicted sex offender who has been in the state and failed to register.
Deputies said the man had previous ties to Snohomish County but his warrants were out of Maui, Hawaii. Police in Maui requested help from the Snohomish County Violent Offender Task force in finding him.
Deputies located him on a construction site in Shoreline and he was taken into custody without incident. He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail, where he awaits extradition to Hawaii.
Former youth basketball coach charged in third case of child sex abuse in Minneapolis
By Chao Xiong Star Tribune
A former Minneapolis grade-school teacher and youth basketball coach was charged Thursday for the third time with sexually abusing a child under his care.
Aaron J. Hjermstad, 41, of Brooklyn Center was charged in Hennepin County District Court with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
He was charged in June in two other cases, and he also faces one count each of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, soliciting a child and second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
All three of his alleged victims were preteens at the time of the offenses, which occurred in 2014 through earlier this year while they spent nights at Hjermstad’s home. Hjermstad was their basketball coach.
Hjermstad had most recently worked as a physical education and health teacher at the Mastery School, a K-6 charter school, and was a basketball coach at Hospitality House Youth Development. He previously worked as a gym teacher at Excell Academy, also a charter school.
According to the criminal complaint filed Thursday: A boy told police in May 2015 that Hjermstad made him touch Hjermstad sexually when he spent the night at the coach’s home. The boy pretended to sleep to stop the assault, which investigators concluded had taken place in 2014.
The boy said a second incident occurred several days after his birthday in 2015. He was at Hjermstad’s home with teammates, “stayed awake all night out of fear,” and saw Hjermstad looking up his shorts, the charges said.
Brooklyn Center police said they investigated the case in 2015 and forwarded it to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, which did not charge the case at the time. The county attorney’s office said Friday that the case was charged “following a re-examination,” but did not explain its previous decision.
Two Butte Co., Ca, men arrested for child sex abuse
Posted By: Elita Goyer
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - Two people have been arrested in Oroville for ongoing sexual abuse of children.
Butte County Sheriff's Detectives say they arrested Joshua Chadwick, after finding electronic images of child pornography during a search of his home.
They say a further investigation turned up evidence he had been abusing three children under the age of ten, for an extended period of time.
Investigators also arrested David Acuff, on charges of abusing the same children.
Neither man is eligible for bail. - Good!
Man pleads guilty to felony sex abuse of a child; judge says he ‘wouldn’t be bound’ by settlement agreement
Written by Cody Blowers
ST. GEORGE — A 43-year-old St. George man accused of aggravated sexual abuse of a 5-year-old girl in 2017 appeared for a resolution hearing in 5th District Court Tuesday, after three years of postponements, canceled trials and legal maneuvering through the courts.
Warren Leonard Black appeared before District Judge Jeffrey C. Wilcox for a hearing held at 5th District Court where the defendant’s defense attorney, Michael Lastowski, went over a motion filed with the court involving a proposed settlement in the case.
Black was arrested in June 2017 following an investigation into a report received by the Division of Child and Family Services involving a 5-year-old St. George girl who had disclosed details of suspected sexual abuse involving the suspect, who was later identified as Black, according to charging documents filed with the court.
The defendant was subsequently charged with two first-degree felony counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child.
According to the settlement agreement proposed by the defense during Tuesday’s hearing, Black would plead guilty to two second-degree felony counts of sexual abuse of a child.
Relating to the plea agreement, Lastowski said the main point he wanted to make in open court was that the state agreed to recommend the defendant be placed on supervised probation and that prosecutors would not include a prison sentence in their recommendation, adding both sides “are free to argue terms within that sentencing matrix guidelines.”
Wilcox then asked prosecutor Ryan Shaum if the state agreed to those terms.
“We’ve accepted the plea to the two second-degree felonies,” he said. “And to follow the party’s recommendation that the defendant will be sentenced to something less than incarceration.”
Wilcox then asked why the court should accept second-degree felonies instead of the first-degree felony charges filed in the case. Shaum said that after discussions with the defense and taking into consideration the evidence in the case, “as it is, and in the interest of justice,” he said the state has agreed to accept the defense’s terms.
The judge then said that while he is not “going to look over the state’s shoulder on how they pursue their cases,” he doesn’t have a problem with the reduction of the charges from first-degree to second-degree.
However, he said, “I do have a problem with saying … as a judge that would administer the sentence,” he said, “that I would walk in lockstep and not recommend a prison sentence.”
Wilcox went on to say that sentencing is based on several factors, including the presentence report, which is a report prepared by a probation officer to assist the court in deciding on a sentence, and includes information on the defendant’s background, criminal and family history, and other factors that can serve as a mitigating factor during sentencing.
Addressing Black, Wilcox said he is not bound by the terms of the agreement made between the defense and the state and reiterated his position.
“I want to be clear that I wouldn’t be bound,” Wilcox said.
Lastowski responded by saying that his client “will go forward and take a shot at sentencing with the state’s recommendation.”
After confirming that Black signed and understood the plea agreement, the defendant entered his guilty plea to both counts and was subsequently scheduled to appear for sentencing Aug. 18, and the presentence report was ordered by the court.
Shaum told St. George News that further details outlining the reasoning behind the state’s position cannot be released due to the sensitive nature of the case and the age of the victim, but he stated that his hands were tied, “and the evidence is only as good as what can be proven at trial.”
Oroville, Ca, mother arrested on suspicion of allowing her children to be sexually abused
BY EMILIANO TAHUI GÓMEZButte County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a mother Monday on the suspicion that she allowed men to sexually abuse three of her children.
A 33-year-old mother of five was arrested after detectives said they found evidence to suggest she was present on multiple occasions when two different men sexually abused her children, according to a release from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. The mother’s name is withheld because The Bee does not identify the victims of abuse.
The woman was booked into the Butte County Jail on three felony counts of making a child available for lewd and lascivious acts to be committed on a child, three felony counts of child endangerment, one felony county of lewd and lascivious acts with a child, and two felony counts of continuous sexual abuse on a child.
All five of her children were taken under the custody of the Butte County Children’s Services Division. She will be arraigned Wednesday at the Butte County Superior Court at 3 p.m. Her bail was set at $825,000.
The mother’s arrest followed last week’s arrests of two Oroville men charged with sexually abusing her three children over an “extended period of time.” All three children are under the age of 10. (see Two Butte Co., Ca, men.... above).
The string of arrests began on after detectives from the Sheriff’s Office began to investigate Joshua Chadwick, age 39, who was on probation as a registered sex offender, on suspicion of violating the woman’s children.
Last Wednesday, Sheriff’s deputies detained Chadwick at his Oroville home on eight counts of lewd and lascivious acts towards children after deputies found multiple images of child pornography on a device at Chadwick’s home.
The same day, detectives searched the house of 38-year-old David Acuff on a warrant after uncovering evidence that suggested Acuff was an accomplice of Chadwick’s during their investigation. According to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, Acuff was already under investigation by the Oroville Police Department. On Thursday, Sheriff’s deputies located and arrested Acuff.
Chadwick was arrested on eight counts of lewd and lascivious acts with children and for violating the conditions of his probation.
Acuff was arrested on two counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child, one felony count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one felony count of possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.
Chadwick and Acuff were arraigned on all charges Monday at the Butte County Superior Court. Neither is eligible for bail until future court proceedings take place.
Pa woman arrested after alleged sexual abuse of children
by: Kelsey Rogers
HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Hollidaysburg Borough Police Department executed an arrest warrant on Monday for a woman accused of sexually abusing children.
Wendy Dietz, 44, has been taken into custody. According to police, they received a referral on suspected child abuse in October 2019.An arrest warrant was issued for Dietz after severing several search warrants on Dietz’s residence and electronic devices. She faces a slew of charges, including:
Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with person less than 16
Sexual abuse of children
Aggravated indecent assault on person less than 16
Indecent assault
Incest
Corruption of minors
Obscene and other sexual materials
Dietz was sent to Blair County Prison in lieu of $250,000 straight cash bail.
Repeat child molester pleads guilty in Washington State
New Life Channel
WENATCHEE — A Chelan man convicted of child molestation almost 30 years ago is headed back to prison for victimizing three more children.
Timothy Wade Cook, 56, pleaded guilty Monday in Chelan County Superior Court to charges of molesting three different youths, and to a count of promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor. He took that plea to avoid the more stringent sentence for a charge of first-degree child molestation.
Cook admitted abusing the victims between the years 1998 and 2017. All were boys between 12 and 16 years old.
Cook was previously convicted of child sexual abuse in 1992. When he’s sentenced on Aug. 17, he could receive anywhere from 20 years to life in prison.
ICE Arrests Four-Time Deported Child Sex Abuser
Illegal Alien in Utah
JOHN BINDERBreitbart
A four-time deported illegal alien, previously convicted of child sexual abuse, has been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Utah.
Roberto Montes-Lopez, a 37-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, was arrested by ICE agents on July 2 after he was released from the Weber County Jail in Utah. Montes-Lopez had been serving a prison sentence for second-degree felony child sexual abuse.
“Law enforcement’s common goal is to keep communities safe and keep dangerous predators off the streets,” ICE official Sylvester Ortega said in a statement.
“The arrest of a criminal alien like Montes-Lopez, whose criminal history spans nearly two decades, demonstrates why cooperation is so important between agencies,” Ortega said. “These partnerships will continue to protect the community from criminal illegal aliens that hurt the citizens of this country.”
Between 2004 and 2011, Montes-Lopez was deported four times from the U.S. In January 2012, Montes-Lopez was prosecuted for felony illegal re-entry.
Montes-Lopez’s rap sheet also includes:
2005 conviction for drug possession and distribution
2011 convictions for use of a firearm by a restricted person
2015 convictions for money laundering and drunk driving
2020 conviction for possession and distribution of heroin
ICE officials say Montes-Lopez will remain in custody until he is deported for the fifth time.
Weber Co., Ut
Yakima, Wa, mother accused of sex trafficking
15-y/o daughter to pay for drugs
by Emily Goodell, KXLY
YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. — Yakima police are investigating the sex trafficking of a 15-year-old girl whose mother reportedly facilitated her daughter having sex with men in exchange for money.
The investigation has led to the arrest of 12 men suspected of having sexual contact with the girl. According to court documents, one of the men sexually assaulted the girl, one was in a “romantic relationship” with her and nine others paid to engage in sex with her.
Police discovered the girl was being sex trafficked on May 2, when they responded to reports of a juvenile problem at her Yakima home and found her suffering from opioid withdrawal. She was taken to the hospital, treated and went home before being located again by officers and taken back to the hospital.
Mother got her addicted
The girl was released from the hospital on May 6 and was referred to Child Protective Services. She reportedly told police her mother had gotten her addicted to pain pills about a year ago and that she’d been engaging in sex for money since she was 14 years old, in order to buy the pills.
According to court documents, the girl told officers that, “she did it for money so she could buy drugs and other things like toilet paper and makeup because the family was having really bad financial issues.”
When her mother found out what the girl was doing, she told her daughter she “wanted to make sure she did it safely,” according to court documents.
KAPP-KVEW is not naming the mother in order to protect her daughter’s identity.
Police said the mother had previously engaged in prostitution and told her daughter she was “going to show her how,” setting up meetings with men wanting to engage in sex with the girl, setting rates and transporting her daughter to meetup locations.
The mother would take the girl to Miller Park in Yakima on the weekends, where they would wait in the car to be approached by men, according to court documents. The girl told police that sometimes the men would take her somewhere alone and other times her mother would wait for her nearby.
“She disclosed that her, ‘Mom was always with me’ and ‘she never left my side,’” police said in court documents.
Police said one of the men — 38-year-old Rickey Casey Chavez — was in a “romantic relationship” with the girl; he was arrested and charged with third-degree rape of a child.
According to court documents, Chavez had sex with the girl on at least one occasion in March at his home in Selah and was more than 20 years older than her at the time.
The girl reportedly told officers that the sex was consensual and she didn’t feel like Chavez had done anything wrong, court documents said.
Another man, 41-year-old Audel Radillo-Contreras, was arrested after police said he sexually assaulted the girl in April at his home in Selah.
The girl told police she’d gone with her mother to visit one of her mother’s “Johns” in Selah — Radillo-Contreras — and had fallen asleep in the home while waiting for her, according to court documents.
Her mother reportedly left her alone at the house and the girl woke up to him sexually assaulting her; the girl said she had not agreed to have sex with him and that when she told her mother, her mother was angry and slashed the tires on Radillo-Contreras’s car, court documents said.
When officers went to arrest Radillo-Contreras on June 30 at his Selah home, no one answered the door. Police said when they returned with a warrant, they had to force their way inside, as the front door had been barricaded with a couch and the back door had been barricaded with a washing machine.
Police said Radillo-Contreras was found hiding under a bed in one of the bedrooms. He was arrested and charged with second-degree rape and third-degree rape of a child.
The rest of the men arrested in connection with the sex trafficking investigation were accused of paying to have sex with the girl, including:
Matthias Karsten Callaway, 29, of Moxee was arrested and charged with commercial sexual abuse of a minor, communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, second-degree viewing depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of first-degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The girl told police she met Callaway through Instagram and sent him explicit photos at his request, later engaging in sex with Callaway for money in February in the hills north of Moxee, according to court documents. Police said Callaway admitted to paying the girl for sex and disclosed that he had paid other girls for sex as well. Callaway also reportedly told officers he paid a different 15-year-old girl to send him sexually explicit photos in June and that he had received hundreds of other nude photographs, which were stored on his phone, according to court documents.
Joseph Charles Hurst, 55, of Selah was arrested and charged with five counts of commercial sexual abuse of a minor. The girl reportedly told police she met Hurst for the first time at Elks Park in Yakima, later engaging in sex with Hurst for money multiple times between January and March at the Motel 6 in Yakima and Super 8 Motel in Union Gap, court documents said. Police said the girl told officers her mother would drop her off at McDonald’s and other locations for Hurst to come and pick her up. According to police, Hurst admitted to knowing the girl, meeting the girl at multiple locations and giving her rides on North First Street, saying he believed she was 17. Police said Hurst admitted to giving the girl money and that she came to his hotel room, but denied having sex with her. He reportedly told police the mother wanted him to have sex with the girl, but he told her that the girl was too young.
David Morfin, 35, of Gleed was arrested and charged with six counts of commercial sexual abuse of a minor, communicating with a minor for immoral purposes and first-degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In court documents, the girl told police Morfin would pick her up at Fred Meyer, Safeway or Dairy Queen and take her to his home in Gleed, where she would engage in sex with him for money. Police said the girl told officers Morfin knew she was underage and that she had sent him sexually explicit photos of herself. According to court documents, Morfin told police he knew the girl and had been introduced to her by her mother. Police said Morfin admitted to having sex with her and said he gave her money occasionally because he felt bad for her, adding that he believed she was 19 years old.
Jose Alonso Ocampo, 47, of Yakima was arrested and charged with four counts of sexual abuse of a minor, communicating with a minor for immoral purposes and promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor. Police said Ocampo paid to engage in sex with the girl multiple times in March and would pick her up in Miller Park in Yakima. According to court documents, Ocampo helped her and her mother find other men interested in paying for sex with the girl. Police said Ocampo admitted to having sex with the mother and giving her money on occasion, and that he knew the girl and had texted with her and given her a ride before, but denied having sex with the girl.
Jose Alejandro Perez-Duran, 36, of Yakima was arrested and charged with commercial sexual abuse of a minor. Police said Perez-Duran paid to engage in sex with the girl at an apartment above a mechanic shop in Union Gap sometime between March and April. According to court documents, Perez-Duran also paid to engage in sex with the mother. Police said Perez-Duran told officers he’d met the two at Miller Park in Yakima and that they’d followed him to the apartment in Union Gap. Perez-Duran reportedly admitted to paying to have sex with both women, but told officers he’d believed the girl was 18.
Daniel Matthew Rodriguez, 37, of Yakima was arrested and charged with charged with communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, two counts of distributing a controlled substance (marijuana) to a minor, two counts of third-degree rape of a child and five counts of commercial sexual abuse of a minor. Police said Rodriguez engaged in sex for money with the girl and her mother in the van in which he lived between January and March, as well as providing them with marijuana. According to court documents, when Rodriguez was arrested June 25, officers found him hiding under his van, which was parked on a homeowner’s property in Yakima.
Daniel Paul Siebol, 51, of Selah was arrested and charged with communicating with a minor for immoral purposes and four counts of commercial sexual abuse of a minor. The girl reportedly told police she’d engaged in sex with Siebol for money multiple times and that she’d told him she was 17 when they first met. Police said the girl told officers her mother would wait for her while she went into Siebol’s apartment. According to court documents, Siebol told police he’d previously had sex with prostitutes on North First Street in Yakima. Police said Siebol admitted to knowing the girl and having her in his apartment, but denied having sex with her. Siebol reportedly told police he had paid the girl to “come over and visit with him” and provide companionship.
Vernon Dale Watson, 57, of Yakima was arrested and charged with communicating with a minor for immoral purposes and three count of commercial sexual abuse of a minor. The girl reportedly told police Watson paid to engage in sex with her multiple times and was aware of her age and her mother’s involvement. Police said the girl told officers her mother would drive her to the Sears parking lot in Union Gap, where Watson would pick her up and take her to the nearby Quality Inn. She went on to tell police that Watson would also pick her up from the Fred Meyer parking lot and then park his vehicle outside his relative’s house in Tieton. Police said Watson admitted to knowing the mother and said he had sex with the mother at the motel, but didn’t pay her. Watson reportedly told police he met the girl, knew she was the woman’s daughter and gave her a ride, but denied having sex with the girl.
Paul Wayne Wolf, 77, of Zillah was charged with six counts of commercial sexual abuse of a minor. The girl reportedly told police Wolf was a friend of her mother’s and that she’d known him prior to when she started engaging in sex for money. Police said the girl told officers she’d engaged in sex with Wolf for money on multiple occasions between February and May, and that he’d also paid her and her mother to do work around his property. According to court documents, Wolf admitted to knowing the mother and daughter, but denied paying for sex with either. Police said Wolf told officers he had previously had sex with the mother several years ago in exchange for giving her rides.
Anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Yakima Police Department directly, submit an anonymous tip to Yakima County Crimestoppers or call 1-866-ENDHARM to speak with someone at the state Department of Children, Youth and Families about suspected child sex trafficking.
Mothers should not be allowed to have custody of children when they are hooked on drugs. History shows that are capable of doing the most heinous things to their children for the next hit.
Wilson, Pa, man accused of sexually abusing underage girl for years wanted by police
By SARAH M. WOJCIKTHE MORNING CALL |
A Wilson man, who authorities say sexually abused a girl beginning when she was 12, is wanted by state police, according to court records.
Johnny Hilario, 43, of the 900 block of South 25th Street, is wanted on 10 counts of statutory sexual assault with a person under 16, two counts of filming a child sex act, and one count each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors. All charges are felonies.
According to court records:
State police became aware of sexually explicit messages between a man and girl after videos between the two were sent over Facebook Messenger and flagged by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline in July. Explicit conversations, photos and videos sent via Messenger led police to believe the man knew the girl and had had sex with her.
Authorities identified the man as Hilario. On July 9, police interviewed the girl’s mother and learned that the family knew Hilario since September 2018. She said Hilario cultivated a close relationship with the girl, now 14.
When state police interviewed the girl, she volunteered Hilario’s name before police mentioned him. She told troopers about many sexual encounters with Hilario over a number of years. These incidents occurred in at least three locations in the Lehigh Valley. The abuse began shortly before the girl’s 13th birthday, she told investigators.
Police say they tried to make contact with Hilario at his Wilson home but were not able to find him.
Centennial school superintendent arrested on child abuse, sex assault charges in Nebraska
Authorities have arrested a school administrator on suspicion of child abuse and sexual assault.
Brent BonFleur, ABC8Authorities have arrested a school administrator on suspicion of child abuse and third-degree sexual assault.
Dewaard is the Superintendent of Centennial Public Schools.
Authorities say the charges involve a high school-aged student.
Dewaard was released Tuesday on a $50,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing.
If you or someone you know has ever been a victim of abuse, you’re encouraged to call the Seward County Sheriff’s Office at 402-643-2359.
Chenango Bridge, NY, man sentenced for child sex abuse
BOB JOSEPH, WNBF
A 70-year-old town of Chenango resident has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for repeated sexual conduct with a young girl.
Larry Birt of Chenango Bridge pleaded guilty to first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child in January. He had been arrested last August after an investigation by the Broome County Sheriff's Office.
According to Birt's plea, he was involved in two or more acts of sexual conduct with a girl under the age of eleven.
The sheriff's office investigation started as the result of a complaint from a Florida agency.
Birt had been accused of multiple acts of sexual conduct with a child over a period of five or six years. He initially was charged with sexual abuse, criminal sexual act and course of sexual conduct against a child.
Glencoe, Ok, man accused of child sexual abuse not found
By Ashlynd Huffman
Warrant of arrest issued for Glencoe man charged with child sexual abuse
Ricky Scott Stokes, 35, of Glencoe, was accused of sexually abusing a child.
The woman became suspicious after she alleged she saw an internet history for incestual pornography. The woman provided law enforcement photographic evidence of the internet searches.
According to the affidavit, the searches happened between July 31- Aug. 2.
The woman lived in the same residence as Stokes at that time, and there were at least two children under 12 in the residence.
According to the affidavit, one child came forward and disclosed being sexually abused by Stokes. On Aug. 9, the child had a forensic interview at the Saville Center.
According to the affidavit, the child disclosed being touched inappropriately both over and under the clothes by Stokes. “This occurred on more than one occasion, in the living room, and in the child’s bed,”
The child victim shared the bedroom with another child, but they had separate beds. The victim alleged when they would share the bed with the other child, Stokes wouldn’t come in there.
The affidavit said the child described pain during the alleged abuse.
On Aug 13, the other child had an interview at the Saville Center, this child alleged seeing Stokes come into the bedroom at night and put his hand under the blanket of the child victim.
The affidavit said Stokes declined a request for an interview.
Judge Katherine Thomas set bond in the amount of $50,000. He has not currently been arrested at this time.
"Law enforcement attempted to arrest him at his residence in Medford, but he had left prior to their arrival. Law enforcement is currently working all leads in order to bring him into custody," Brown said.
Sex abuse trial begins in Nevada Co. Superior Court, Ca.
LKellar@theunion.com
After days of jury selection made even more painstaking by social distance requirements inside the courthouse, the trial of a Nevada City man on sex abuse charges got underway Tuesday morning.
Michael Sean O’Dell, 46, has been in custody since November 2018 on charges of sexually abusing two children, and is facing 45 years to life in prison if convicted. He’s pleaded not guilty.
On May 4, O’Dell’s defense attorney, Patrick Clancy, appeared by phone to hash out his trial issues with Superior Court Judge Robert Tice-Raskin and Deputy District Attorney Helenaz Hill. Tice-Raskin acknowledged during the hearing that holding a trial with social distancing guidelines would be problematic at best.
Because of the nature of the case, larger pools of potential jurors were called, and the process of jury selection took four days.
“The complexity of this trial is what made it last a little bit longer,” said Court Executive Officer Jason Galkin. “The nature of these types of cases make it harder for both attorneys to come to a jury they are both comfortable with. … We do have to cast a broader net, we need to ensure we get enough jurors in the door.”
And, according to Galkin, COVID-19 restrictions and fears have made it even more difficult to seat a jury. “What we’re finding is, we’re having to summon two times the number we would historically for this type of case,” he said.
Because four alternate jurors were picked and the jurors were spread throughout the courtroom rather than sitting together in the jury box, there was no room for members of the public.
“We are limited on occupancy,” Galkin said. “We are live broadcasting (the proceedings) into another courtroom. … We are just doing our best to keep people physically separated, trying to take as many precautions as we reasonably can.”
During the first part of the day Tuesday, several members of the public were on hand to watch the proceedings via Zoom. But that solution proved problematic, at least initially, as only the judge was clearly audible. Galkin said such issues will need to be ironed out, hopefully with the use of some directional microphones.
During her opening statement, Hill told the jury the two victims were 6 and 8 at the time the abuse started and that O’Dell was a father figure to both girls. O’Dell, she said, entered the bedroom the two girls shared on multiple occasions and touched them sexually under the guise of tucking them in.
Hill told the jurors that some of the testimony they would hear dealt with “child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome,” which explains how some child sexual abuse victims react with secrecy, conflicted and unconvincing disclosure, and retraction or reversal of accusations.
Of course, they often love the abuser and want to protect him. Children are heroic, unlike their selfish, cruel abusers.
O’Dell’s attorney opted to reserve his opening statements for the defense portion of the trial. Defense attorney Patrick Clancy is the founder of the Innocence Legal Team, which exclusively represents clients in sex crime allegations.
The first witness on the stand was the older victim, who is now 14. She had difficulty remaining composed and the trial recessed early for lunch. It resumed Tuesday afternoon and a full day of testimony is expected today.
Please pray for these girls. It's horrible that their abuser would force them to take the stand.
