A Hanahan, SC police detective who dated a woman briefly before allegedly raping her is being placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
Cassie Watson, 40, was charged with 1st degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, and possession of a gun (alleged to be his service weapon) during a violent crime. The North Charleston native was being held on $250,000 bail at the Charleston County Detention Center, but bailed out Tuesday, August 19.
Watson met the victim 2 years ago on an online dating service, then called her until a year ago, when they went out on a date. The victim found Watson to be untrustworthy after he picked her up for dinner and a movie. "I didn't trust him from the get-go -He was possessive, controlling, and he was calling me names.” She brushed off all contact with him, and he obliged until a few weeks ago.
"I just kind of brushed it off, and I thought, 'OK, I don't ever have to see him again,' " she said. "He quit calling, and then, all of a sudden, two weeks ago, he popped up at my door."
The woman said Watson came to her home several times in recent weeks, and she became increasingly concerned.
On Sunday, Watson walked into her open front door and plopped himself down in a chair, she said. Watson pointed the gun in her face and, according to the affidavit, she thought that if she did not do what he ordered, she would end up in a "body bag." He forced her to disrobe and raped her, the affidavit said.
She called authorities about 10 minutes later, she said. She was taken to Medical University Hospital for an examination, a police report said. The 37-year-old was recovering at home Monday night and agreed to be interviewed if she could remain anonymous. The Post and Courier does not normally identify rape victims.
Bob Koon, Watson’s neighbor of 34 years, said that he didn’t believe he could do such a thing. . "I find it hard to believe. I've known him since he was 6 years old. He's a swell guy. I don't understand."
Watson worked for the Hanahan PD for 2 years, and previously worked for the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Sheriff's deputy dismissed for sex with 17 year old girl - no charges filed
A former sheriff’s deputy who had sexual contact with a girl while she turned 18 will not face criminal charges. Bryce Adams, who worked at Newton High School in Troy, OH, resigned after 15 years as a sheriff’s deputy on April 24.
Allegations were made to the sheriff's department in April by a former student, now 20 years old. Sheriff Charles Cox said Adams was accused of having a sexual relationship with the girl, then 17, in October 2005 on Newton school property.
The investigation was turned over to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and Shelby County Prosecutor Ralph Bauer acted as special prosecutor.
Bauer said the girl had graduated from Newton High School and was 17 at the time of what he termed "the first occasion." She was 18 on the second occasion, Bauer wrote.
Bauer found that the relationship was "inappropriate, but does not rise to the level of criminal activity under any of the sections of the Ohio Revised Code."
Adams’ lawyer Jose Lopes stated that while unaware of the findings, "Bryce has paid a very steep penalty for his indiscretion."
He also stated a rhetorical question about his clients behavior. "Is it inappropriate? Does it violate the sheriff's office policies and procedures? Yes. That's why it cost him his job."
Ohio’s AOC is 16, and teachers who go with their students (or for that matter, any student in the same school as they work in) can be charged with sexual battery, even when the victim is over 16 (or for that matter, 18). Here are 2 cases where teachers have been convicted for sex with over the AOC students. Perhaps laws covering school employees need to be expanded to cover school resource officers.
Allegations were made to the sheriff's department in April by a former student, now 20 years old. Sheriff Charles Cox said Adams was accused of having a sexual relationship with the girl, then 17, in October 2005 on Newton school property.
The investigation was turned over to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and Shelby County Prosecutor Ralph Bauer acted as special prosecutor.
Bauer said the girl had graduated from Newton High School and was 17 at the time of what he termed "the first occasion." She was 18 on the second occasion, Bauer wrote.
Bauer found that the relationship was "inappropriate, but does not rise to the level of criminal activity under any of the sections of the Ohio Revised Code."
Adams’ lawyer Jose Lopes stated that while unaware of the findings, "Bryce has paid a very steep penalty for his indiscretion."
He also stated a rhetorical question about his clients behavior. "Is it inappropriate? Does it violate the sheriff's office policies and procedures? Yes. That's why it cost him his job."
Ohio’s AOC is 16, and teachers who go with their students (or for that matter, any student in the same school as they work in) can be charged with sexual battery, even when the victim is over 16 (or for that matter, 18). Here are 2 cases where teachers have been convicted for sex with over the AOC students. Perhaps laws covering school employees need to be expanded to cover school resource officers.
Husband shoots out estranged wife's car's windshield after aborted sexual encounter
Donald H. Hiller, 47, was arraigned for the attempted rape and kidnapping of his 40 year old wife Mary on Tuesday, August 26. Mary Hiller, estranged and pregnant, of Torrington, CT, told authorities she was lured to her husband’s house the previous day when he faked a suicide attempt in Winsted, CT.
Hiller told police her husband, who appeared to be intoxicated, demanded sex. She used the bathroom and emerged to find him holding a gun he identified as a .44 magnum."I was never more scared in my life," she told police. "Don turned toward my vehicle and the gun went off. The bullet struck my windshield. I screamed."Police found a bullet hole in the windshield of Mary Hiller's 2002 Ford Escape, with corresponding holes in the seats and tailgate.
After the abuser asked her to strip, she did, then backed out of the sexual encounter. "I told him 'no,' and started to get dressed,” then scratched him in the face and punched him in the groin. She called 911 from the bedroom. When the call was disconnected, she fled to the car, where she waited for police, who arrested her naked husband – and attacker.
The couple is going through divorce mediation, according to statements made by Mary Hiller. She told police she is seven weeks pregnant and served her husband with divorce papers in July after a tumultuous six-year relationship.Civil court records posted online do not include a divorce case.
Donald Hiller's pickup truck contained a .40 caliber handgun, but a search of his house included no other weapons finds. He is being held on $250,000 bond on attempted sexual assault of a spouse, 1st degree criminal mischief, and 1st degree reckless endangerment, among other charges.
Hiller told police her husband, who appeared to be intoxicated, demanded sex. She used the bathroom and emerged to find him holding a gun he identified as a .44 magnum."I was never more scared in my life," she told police. "Don turned toward my vehicle and the gun went off. The bullet struck my windshield. I screamed."Police found a bullet hole in the windshield of Mary Hiller's 2002 Ford Escape, with corresponding holes in the seats and tailgate.
After the abuser asked her to strip, she did, then backed out of the sexual encounter. "I told him 'no,' and started to get dressed,” then scratched him in the face and punched him in the groin. She called 911 from the bedroom. When the call was disconnected, she fled to the car, where she waited for police, who arrested her naked husband – and attacker.
The couple is going through divorce mediation, according to statements made by Mary Hiller. She told police she is seven weeks pregnant and served her husband with divorce papers in July after a tumultuous six-year relationship.Civil court records posted online do not include a divorce case.
Donald Hiller's pickup truck contained a .40 caliber handgun, but a search of his house included no other weapons finds. He is being held on $250,000 bond on attempted sexual assault of a spouse, 1st degree criminal mischief, and 1st degree reckless endangerment, among other charges.
Soldier who masterminded wife's murder for hire sentenced to life without parole
Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald Dean Gower, 40, was sentenced on Thursday, August 28 to life without parole for the murder for hire shooting death of his wife Hidi in Kempner, TX, 20 miles west of Ft. Hood. Though a soldier from Ft. Hood, the army did not request jurisdiction in this case.
Jeremiah John Ellison and John Robert Martinez were offered money to off Hidi, but the eventual shooter was Chaka Romain Johnson, sentenced to life without parole in June. The three men, not soldiers, were met through Gower’s girlfriend Regina Edwards. All 4 people were arrested, though charges were dropped against Edwards.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Gower had been planning his wife’s murder for several months, hoping to obtain a $100,000 life insurance policy, and gave $250 to one of the men to buy a gun. Gower also offered one of the men $25,000 at one time and then $10,000 to kill his wife, according to testimony.
But Gower’s attorney John Galligan argued that his client, who has almost 20 years of military service, has been taking a large amount of medication for mental disorders and service-related physical injuries. Gower served in Desert Storm but not in Iraq, Galligan said. According to court testimony, Gower made statements that he wanted to kill his wife and father but later said he didn’t remember saying that.
Last year after his arrest, Gower was deemed incompetent to stand trial and was sent to a state mental facility for several weeks until his mental status improved, but he was ordered to continue taking medication, Galligan said.
All participants who haven't been tried yet testified at both trials (Gower’s and Johnson’s). Dan Booth, the victim’s brother, said her family is happy with the verdicts. Lampasas County prosecutors tried the case.
Jeremiah John Ellison and John Robert Martinez were offered money to off Hidi, but the eventual shooter was Chaka Romain Johnson, sentenced to life without parole in June. The three men, not soldiers, were met through Gower’s girlfriend Regina Edwards. All 4 people were arrested, though charges were dropped against Edwards.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Gower had been planning his wife’s murder for several months, hoping to obtain a $100,000 life insurance policy, and gave $250 to one of the men to buy a gun. Gower also offered one of the men $25,000 at one time and then $10,000 to kill his wife, according to testimony.
But Gower’s attorney John Galligan argued that his client, who has almost 20 years of military service, has been taking a large amount of medication for mental disorders and service-related physical injuries. Gower served in Desert Storm but not in Iraq, Galligan said. According to court testimony, Gower made statements that he wanted to kill his wife and father but later said he didn’t remember saying that.
Last year after his arrest, Gower was deemed incompetent to stand trial and was sent to a state mental facility for several weeks until his mental status improved, but he was ordered to continue taking medication, Galligan said.
All participants who haven't been tried yet testified at both trials (Gower’s and Johnson’s). Dan Booth, the victim’s brother, said her family is happy with the verdicts. Lampasas County prosecutors tried the case.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sleep lab technician charged with groping patients
A 22 year old Parma Heights, OH sleep technician was charged with sexual imposition and gross sexual imposition for groping a girl and a woman at a sleep lab. Mina Roufail appeared Wednesday in Lorain County Common Pleas Court to answer the charges.
Sexual imposition is defined as unwilling sexual contact with someone whose ability to control the touching is substantially impaired or that the other person submits while unaware of the contact. Gross sexual imposition is defined as sexual contact by force or deception.
Roufail was charged after a Lorain woman and a 17-year-old Elyria girl reported incidents at the sleep lab on Cooper Foster Park Road, according to Amherst police Sgt. Daniel Jasinski.
The lab tests people for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, where a person has irregular breathing episodes while asleep.
Roufail had been an employee of the company for about a year and was fired when the allegations came to light in April, Jasinski said.Roufail was charged after a Lorain woman and a 17-year-old Elyria girl reported incidents at the sleep lab on Cooper Foster Park Road, according to Amherst police Sgt. Daniel Jasinski.
The lab tests people for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, where a person has irregular breathing episodes while asleep.
Roufail had been an employee of the company for about a year and was fired when the allegations came to light in April, Jasinski said.
The victims are strangers to each other and to Roufail, and no incidents were caught on cameras. The owners are taking steps to ensure that incidents like these do not occur again, according to Jasinski. You go to a place like this for help, and you don’t expect inappropriate or unsolicited conduct,” he said.
(440) 988-4422 is the number to call in case there is nore information - or more victims.
Sexual imposition is defined as unwilling sexual contact with someone whose ability to control the touching is substantially impaired or that the other person submits while unaware of the contact. Gross sexual imposition is defined as sexual contact by force or deception.
Roufail was charged after a Lorain woman and a 17-year-old Elyria girl reported incidents at the sleep lab on Cooper Foster Park Road, according to Amherst police Sgt. Daniel Jasinski.
The lab tests people for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, where a person has irregular breathing episodes while asleep.
Roufail had been an employee of the company for about a year and was fired when the allegations came to light in April, Jasinski said.Roufail was charged after a Lorain woman and a 17-year-old Elyria girl reported incidents at the sleep lab on Cooper Foster Park Road, according to Amherst police Sgt. Daniel Jasinski.
The lab tests people for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, where a person has irregular breathing episodes while asleep.
Roufail had been an employee of the company for about a year and was fired when the allegations came to light in April, Jasinski said.
The victims are strangers to each other and to Roufail, and no incidents were caught on cameras. The owners are taking steps to ensure that incidents like these do not occur again, according to Jasinski. You go to a place like this for help, and you don’t expect inappropriate or unsolicited conduct,” he said.
(440) 988-4422 is the number to call in case there is nore information - or more victims.
Hamilton, OH teacher sentenced to 3 years in prison
David "Jamie" Wagner was sentenced to 3 years in prison on August 28 for having sex with a 17 year old student he coached at Madison High School in Hamilton, OH. The normal AOC in Ohio is 16, but teachers who have sex with high school students are committing the offense of sexual battery regardless of age. The 32 year old plead guilty to a single count of sexual battery, a 3rd degree frlony carrying a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth also imposed a fine of $2,500 and ordered Wagner to pay resititution to the victim's family for medical expenses. Wagner has also been classified as a Tier III sexual offender, which will require him to register with the Butler County Sheriff's Office every 90 days for the rest of his life.
His father shouted "Love you son," as Wagner was led off to prison, where Ohio sentences must be served in full. The victim's father shouted, "You are every parent's worst nightmare."
Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth also imposed a fine of $2,500 and ordered Wagner to pay resititution to the victim's family for medical expenses. Wagner has also been classified as a Tier III sexual offender, which will require him to register with the Butler County Sheriff's Office every 90 days for the rest of his life.
His father shouted "Love you son," as Wagner was led off to prison, where Ohio sentences must be served in full. The victim's father shouted, "You are every parent's worst nightmare."
Brazoria County, TX judge resigns after pleading guilty to groping
61 year old Brazoria County Judge Court-at-Law Judge James Blackstock resigned Friday as part of a plea agreement where he was sentenced for groping 4 women employees who he came in contact with while serving as judge.
Judge George Goodwin, of Harris County, TX (which includes Houston) fined Blackstock $750 for the misdemeanor oppression charges, and $350 for each misdemeanor assault charge, for a total of $2150 in fines.
I'm just glad something was done about it," said Brazoria County Clerk Joyce Hudman, who said she also was a victim of the judge's unwanted advances but didn't seek charges against him.
In April 2006, Hudman said, Blackstock called her into his office for a meeting. As the two sat side by side, she said, "he held my face and kissed me." She said he then touched her breasts.
"I was so startled that I just got up and walked out," she said. As she walked away, the judge groped her bottom, she said.
Hudman said that although she had heard courthouse rumors about the judge groping women, she had never known him to act inappropriately before. She was his court clerk from 1995 to 1997 and never had any trouble, she said.
She said she told Brazoria County District Attorney Jeri Yenne about the incident, but decided not to file charges.
Yenne filed misdemeanor charges against Blackstock on Aug. 12 after what she said was an extensive investigation. The charges alleged that he groped several staff members of the county adult and juvenile probation departments between July 2007 and June of this year.
The judge also was accused of sending obscene photos to women from his county computer.
Chief Brazoria County Juvenile Probation Officer Diana CoatesChief Brazoria County Juvenile Probation Officer Diana Coates spoke about her ordeal at the hands of the predatory judge.
"James Blackstock not only disgraced himself and his family while subjecting numerous women, myself included, to unwarranted humiliation and assault over the years, but he tainted the bench from which he sat and violated the trust placed in him by the public"
Yenne stated that Judge Blackstock's victims "felt they couldn't do anything because of his powerful position," and that the plea was appropriate because he is permanently gone from the judicial bench. "He can't hurt anyone the same way again," Yenne said.
The day after the charges were filed, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended him from the bench pending the outcome of the criminal case.
In 1997, the commission issued Blackstock a public warning after he sued someone while he was the judge in a criminal case in which that person was the defendant.
The commission also cited him for telephoning an appeals court justice who was considering a child custody case in which Blackstock was involved.
Blackstock will retain his pension.
Judge George Goodwin, of Harris County, TX (which includes Houston) fined Blackstock $750 for the misdemeanor oppression charges, and $350 for each misdemeanor assault charge, for a total of $2150 in fines.
I'm just glad something was done about it," said Brazoria County Clerk Joyce Hudman, who said she also was a victim of the judge's unwanted advances but didn't seek charges against him.
In April 2006, Hudman said, Blackstock called her into his office for a meeting. As the two sat side by side, she said, "he held my face and kissed me." She said he then touched her breasts.
"I was so startled that I just got up and walked out," she said. As she walked away, the judge groped her bottom, she said.
Hudman said that although she had heard courthouse rumors about the judge groping women, she had never known him to act inappropriately before. She was his court clerk from 1995 to 1997 and never had any trouble, she said.
She said she told Brazoria County District Attorney Jeri Yenne about the incident, but decided not to file charges.
Yenne filed misdemeanor charges against Blackstock on Aug. 12 after what she said was an extensive investigation. The charges alleged that he groped several staff members of the county adult and juvenile probation departments between July 2007 and June of this year.
The judge also was accused of sending obscene photos to women from his county computer.
Chief Brazoria County Juvenile Probation Officer Diana CoatesChief Brazoria County Juvenile Probation Officer Diana Coates spoke about her ordeal at the hands of the predatory judge.
"James Blackstock not only disgraced himself and his family while subjecting numerous women, myself included, to unwarranted humiliation and assault over the years, but he tainted the bench from which he sat and violated the trust placed in him by the public"
Yenne stated that Judge Blackstock's victims "felt they couldn't do anything because of his powerful position," and that the plea was appropriate because he is permanently gone from the judicial bench. "He can't hurt anyone the same way again," Yenne said.
The day after the charges were filed, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended him from the bench pending the outcome of the criminal case.
In 1997, the commission issued Blackstock a public warning after he sued someone while he was the judge in a criminal case in which that person was the defendant.
The commission also cited him for telephoning an appeals court justice who was considering a child custody case in which Blackstock was involved.
Blackstock will retain his pension.
Columbia, TN domestic abuser acquitted of rape, convicted of other charges
Carl Gardner Boone, 43, a Columbia, TN man, was found guilty of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment August 28, but acquitted of rape in the beating of his estranged wife. Boone, scheduled to be sentenced September 25, faces 21 years in prison – 6 for the endangerment and 15 for the assault.
The Circuit Court trial began Tuesday in connection with the Aug. 12, 2007, attack of Boone’s wife at her residence on Rock Springs Road.“There is no debate about the attack,” prosecutor Lorraine Wade said during the trial.The victim testified that the attack began when Boone came to her home, knocked on a window and complained that he was thirsty and needed money.
When the victim returned to the door with money and a glass of water, Boone pushed open the door, she said.“The next thing I knew Carl was on top of me with his right hand on my throat and an excruciating pain coming from below my waist,” she said.The attack started on the front steps of her home, and the victim said when she regained consciousness, she was in a field between her and her neighbors’ houses.
Neighbors testified that they could not recognize the victim after the beating. Tina Gecowets testified “I saw a woman bleeding from her face, but I did not know who she was.” A doctor testified that she suffered a broken nose, facial fractures and sinus fractures.
Boone’s attorney argued the nature of the woman’s injuries did not indicate someone tried to kill her and the doctor at the hospital was not licensed to practice medicine.
Because Boone was acquitted of rape, he avoids Tennessee’s new, revamped sex offender registry, which requires e-mail addresses, all aliases, including married names, and IM (instant message) and chat names to be registered. Offenders against minors will be required to avoid work where they have unfettered access to minors, and avoid vehicles like ice cream trucks which attract minors.
Additional changes to the Sex Offender Registry will take effect January 1, 2009, when a physical description of the offender, text of the law describing the criminal offense and a criminal history of the offender will be added.
Kristin Helm, TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) spokeswoman, stated that the tightened SO restrictions "will help local law enforcement keep track of sex offenders and their registry requirements, as well as keeping them away from places where they may have the opportunity to commit another offense."
The Circuit Court trial began Tuesday in connection with the Aug. 12, 2007, attack of Boone’s wife at her residence on Rock Springs Road.“There is no debate about the attack,” prosecutor Lorraine Wade said during the trial.The victim testified that the attack began when Boone came to her home, knocked on a window and complained that he was thirsty and needed money.
When the victim returned to the door with money and a glass of water, Boone pushed open the door, she said.“The next thing I knew Carl was on top of me with his right hand on my throat and an excruciating pain coming from below my waist,” she said.The attack started on the front steps of her home, and the victim said when she regained consciousness, she was in a field between her and her neighbors’ houses.
Neighbors testified that they could not recognize the victim after the beating. Tina Gecowets testified “I saw a woman bleeding from her face, but I did not know who she was.” A doctor testified that she suffered a broken nose, facial fractures and sinus fractures.
Boone’s attorney argued the nature of the woman’s injuries did not indicate someone tried to kill her and the doctor at the hospital was not licensed to practice medicine.
Because Boone was acquitted of rape, he avoids Tennessee’s new, revamped sex offender registry, which requires e-mail addresses, all aliases, including married names, and IM (instant message) and chat names to be registered. Offenders against minors will be required to avoid work where they have unfettered access to minors, and avoid vehicles like ice cream trucks which attract minors.
Additional changes to the Sex Offender Registry will take effect January 1, 2009, when a physical description of the offender, text of the law describing the criminal offense and a criminal history of the offender will be added.
Kristin Helm, TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) spokeswoman, stated that the tightened SO restrictions "will help local law enforcement keep track of sex offenders and their registry requirements, as well as keeping them away from places where they may have the opportunity to commit another offense."
Texas federal judge charged with sexual abuse
By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press Writer
HOUSTON — A federal judge accused of fondling a former court employee was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on sexual abuse charges.
U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent is charged with two counts of abusive sexual contact and one count of attempted aggravated sexual abuse.
A former case manager at the U.S. District Court in Galveston accused Kent of twice touching her under her clothing and repeatedly making obscene suggestions during the six years she worked with him.
The indictment, first reported by the Houston Chronicle, alleges the criminal conduct happened on Aug. 29, 2003, and March 23, 2007, Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich said in a statement.
Kent's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, called any sexual contact that may have happened between Kent and his accuser consensual.
"He's angry and ready for a fight. He is innocent. We will try this case. It is nothing but a false accusation," said DeGuerin said.
Kent's accuser issued a statement Thursday saying she felt vindicated by the grand jury's decision.
"After a very difficult 17 months, I feel like I have finally been validated. I have listened and read with horror as Judge Kent's lawyer suggested that what happened to me was 'enthusiastically consensual,'" she said. "I am relieved to find that even federal judges are not above the law, and that sexual abuse in the workplace is never acceptable, no matter the status of the offender."
The abuse allegations were first investigated by the Judicial Council of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which reprimanded Kent in September 2007. The council gave no details about the allegations, only saying a complaint alleging sexual harassment had been filed against Kent. It ordered the judge to go on leave for four months, but Kent still collected his $165,000 annual salary.
Kent was reassigned from Galveston to Houston.
If convicted of attempted aggravated sexual abuse, Kent could face up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Each count of abusive sexual contact carries a sentence of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
An agreement with prosecutors will allow Kent to surrender Wednesday for an initial court appearance.
HOUSTON — A federal judge accused of fondling a former court employee was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on sexual abuse charges.
U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent is charged with two counts of abusive sexual contact and one count of attempted aggravated sexual abuse.
A former case manager at the U.S. District Court in Galveston accused Kent of twice touching her under her clothing and repeatedly making obscene suggestions during the six years she worked with him.
The indictment, first reported by the Houston Chronicle, alleges the criminal conduct happened on Aug. 29, 2003, and March 23, 2007, Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich said in a statement.
Kent's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, called any sexual contact that may have happened between Kent and his accuser consensual.
"He's angry and ready for a fight. He is innocent. We will try this case. It is nothing but a false accusation," said DeGuerin said.
Kent's accuser issued a statement Thursday saying she felt vindicated by the grand jury's decision.
"After a very difficult 17 months, I feel like I have finally been validated. I have listened and read with horror as Judge Kent's lawyer suggested that what happened to me was 'enthusiastically consensual,'" she said. "I am relieved to find that even federal judges are not above the law, and that sexual abuse in the workplace is never acceptable, no matter the status of the offender."
The abuse allegations were first investigated by the Judicial Council of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which reprimanded Kent in September 2007. The council gave no details about the allegations, only saying a complaint alleging sexual harassment had been filed against Kent. It ordered the judge to go on leave for four months, but Kent still collected his $165,000 annual salary.
Kent was reassigned from Galveston to Houston.
If convicted of attempted aggravated sexual abuse, Kent could face up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Each count of abusive sexual contact carries a sentence of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
An agreement with prosecutors will allow Kent to surrender Wednesday for an initial court appearance.
Keller, TX man sentenced to 40 years 8-28 for strangling wife
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - A Keller man who initially told police his wife was abducted last year has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing her.
Richard Sandlin [49 years old] entered the plea earlier this week in the murder of Donna Sandlin. She was strangled with a shoestring and her body dumped in woods northwest of Waco in March 2007. [Donna Sandlin. 47, was a counselor's aide at Fossil Ridge High School, and was reported missing 3-26-08].
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports defense attorney Walt Cleveland said Sandlin had initially wanted to go to trial in hopes that a jury would impose a lighter sentence.
Cleveland said Sandlin decided to plead guilty because he didn't want to put his children and family through a trial.
Prosecutor Alana Minton says she's satisfied with the sentence, saying, quote, "The family was very happy. At his age, this is essentially a life sentence."
Sandler will have to serve hlf his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Richard Sandlin [49 years old] entered the plea earlier this week in the murder of Donna Sandlin. She was strangled with a shoestring and her body dumped in woods northwest of Waco in March 2007. [Donna Sandlin. 47, was a counselor's aide at Fossil Ridge High School, and was reported missing 3-26-08].
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports defense attorney Walt Cleveland said Sandlin had initially wanted to go to trial in hopes that a jury would impose a lighter sentence.
Cleveland said Sandlin decided to plead guilty because he didn't want to put his children and family through a trial.
Prosecutor Alana Minton says she's satisfied with the sentence, saying, quote, "The family was very happy. At his age, this is essentially a life sentence."
Sandler will have to serve hlf his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Helen Mirren, Oscar winning actress, admits victimization by date rape
Dame Helen Mirren has waded into potential controversy over the issue of date-rape.
The star has spoken previously of being a victim of date-rape herself.Asked if she reported the incidents, which took place when she was younger, to the police, she told GQ magazine: "No, you couldn't do that in those days.
If a woman voluntarily ends up in a man's bedroom, takes all her clothes off and engages in sexual activity in bed with him she has the right to say "no" at the last second, Dame Helen said. If the man ignored her it was rape, Dame Helen said.
But she said: "I don't think she can have that man into court under those circumstances."I guess it is one of the many subtle parts of the men/women relationship that has to be negotiated and worked out between them.
"Times have changed. I hate young girls going around beating each other up, but I love the fierceness of young girls nowadays, and the way they just say, '**** off', because I wish I'd been taught to say '**** off' when I was younger."I wish I'd had those words in my arsenal of self-defence.
Instead, I was polite and didn't have the courage to say that to men who wouldn't accept 'no' for an answer.The convent school educated actress said she was innocent and naive until she went to college in London.
The star has spoken previously of being a victim of date-rape herself.Asked if she reported the incidents, which took place when she was younger, to the police, she told GQ magazine: "No, you couldn't do that in those days.
If a woman voluntarily ends up in a man's bedroom, takes all her clothes off and engages in sexual activity in bed with him she has the right to say "no" at the last second, Dame Helen said. If the man ignored her it was rape, Dame Helen said.
But she said: "I don't think she can have that man into court under those circumstances."I guess it is one of the many subtle parts of the men/women relationship that has to be negotiated and worked out between them.
"Times have changed. I hate young girls going around beating each other up, but I love the fierceness of young girls nowadays, and the way they just say, '**** off', because I wish I'd been taught to say '**** off' when I was younger."I wish I'd had those words in my arsenal of self-defence.
Instead, I was polite and didn't have the courage to say that to men who wouldn't accept 'no' for an answer.The convent school educated actress said she was innocent and naive until she went to college in London.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Signs of adult predation given by Cyberpaths
Cyberpaths is a website which exposes, pans and denounces sexual predators of adults, which can be found on online dating sites and anywhere there are vulnerable people. They give the signs below that adult sexual predators use to groom and control their victims:
-- controlling a persons time and environment, leaving no time for thought (sweeping you off your feet??)
-- creating a sense of powerlessness, fear and dependency ("need")
-- manipulating rewards and punishments to suppress former social behavior ("if you... then I will")
-- manipulating rewards and punishments to elicit the desired behavior (disappearing offline without warning or when you have trouble and need them the most? all TALK no actions to back it up?)
-- creating a closed system of logic which makes dissenters feel as if something was wrong with them (making you feel guilty or that you don't 'love' or 'care for' them if you go against the cyberpath's wishes?)
-- keeping recruits unaware about any agenda to control or change them (comments like: "I would never hurt you, I would never lie to you, I can't believe you think I am lying/ using you...." etc)
(sounds like abuse..... doesn't it?)
Cyberpaths then goes on to say that all of these are signs of grooming, not dating, and gives this warning.
Just keep all this in mind when dealing with a cyberpath or anyone online. And realize that while we don't believe in or espouse not taking responsibility - but how can anyone be themselves or make informed decisions when they are being coercively controlled & manipulated? - Remember this next time you say "I was so stupid to fall for it" or wonder what red flags you missed or didn't see. Like slight of hand - these predators are good at getting you sucked in before you know what hit you.
If that's the case, then perhaps the script should be flipped - adult sexual abusers are actually the over 18 versions of child and adolesent sexual abusers. It's the people who claim true love, and then strike that are imitating those who seduce adolescents, not vice-versa.
-- controlling a persons time and environment, leaving no time for thought (sweeping you off your feet??)
-- creating a sense of powerlessness, fear and dependency ("need")
-- manipulating rewards and punishments to suppress former social behavior ("if you... then I will")
-- manipulating rewards and punishments to elicit the desired behavior (disappearing offline without warning or when you have trouble and need them the most? all TALK no actions to back it up?)
-- creating a closed system of logic which makes dissenters feel as if something was wrong with them (making you feel guilty or that you don't 'love' or 'care for' them if you go against the cyberpath's wishes?)
-- keeping recruits unaware about any agenda to control or change them (comments like: "I would never hurt you, I would never lie to you, I can't believe you think I am lying/ using you...." etc)
(sounds like abuse..... doesn't it?)
Cyberpaths then goes on to say that all of these are signs of grooming, not dating, and gives this warning.
Just keep all this in mind when dealing with a cyberpath or anyone online. And realize that while we don't believe in or espouse not taking responsibility - but how can anyone be themselves or make informed decisions when they are being coercively controlled & manipulated? - Remember this next time you say "I was so stupid to fall for it" or wonder what red flags you missed or didn't see. Like slight of hand - these predators are good at getting you sucked in before you know what hit you.
If that's the case, then perhaps the script should be flipped - adult sexual abusers are actually the over 18 versions of child and adolesent sexual abusers. It's the people who claim true love, and then strike that are imitating those who seduce adolescents, not vice-versa.
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