A Lombard man is spending the first day of a 6 month sentence in the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton, IL today for sexually assaulting his terminally ill wife’s caregiver. Guiseppe Metallo, 82, was sentenced to 6 months in the DuPage County Jail, 6 additional months of home confinement, 2 years of sex offender probation, and registration as a sex offender on July 22.
Metallo’s official plea was to a count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and another count of criminal sexual abuse for the December 21, 2005 incident. DuPage Circuit Judge Kathryn Creswell presided over the deal, reached after conviction by trial on more serious charges. The victim contacted police 2 days later, and she went to Lombard’s Edward Hospital, where doctors found a vaginal scratch. The woman was only on her 2nd day on the job caring for Metallo’s wife.
Lombard police arrested Metallo, the grandfather of a local police officer, on felony charges. One year later, the caregiver filed a federal lawsuit against Lombard and Officer Joseph Metallo, alleging he tried to hinder the investigation involving his grandfather by instructing his grandfather to cut his long fingernails and thus, destroy possible physical evidence, among other issues, before police arrived with a search warrant.
Both sides later reached a $25,000 settlement, which is less in legal fees than the cost of taking the case to trial. Officer Joseph Metallo since retired on a disability pension after becoming injured.
"We took her complaint seriously and, after an investigation, we arrested and charged the defendant with a felony," Lombard police Chief Ray Byrne said. "(The lawsuit) was completely without merit. We did everything appropriately."
The victim, who drove 3 hours to the sentencing, said, "I try to get on with my life, but at times simply don't care about anything," the woman wrote in a victim-impact statement that her husband read in court. "I have had something taken from me that I can never get back. I feel as if a chunk of my heart and soul have been ripped away."
Dupage State’s Attorney Joe Birkett said he sympathized with the victim, but the defendant’s old age, lack of other criminal history, frail health, and valid appeal issues make a plea deal appropriate.
For example, defense attorney Jack Donahue argued a new trial was warranted because the Italian-speaking defendant did not have a proper interpreter and, therefore, didn't understand the legal proceedings.
Lombard Police Chief Ray Byrne defended his force from the lawsuit allegations, saying "We took her complaint seriously and, after an investigation, we arrested and charged the defendant with a felony. It was completely without merit. We did everything appropriately."
Thursday, August 14, 2008
17 year old Twin Cities rapist sentenced to 15 1/2 years in prison
Ramsey County District Judge Michael T. DeCourcy sentenced an 18 year old suburban Twin Cities rapist to 15 ½ years in prison yesterday for an attack which took place August 18, 2007. Tarrance Jamal Peaches of Brooklyn Park, MN beat and raped a 17 year old girl from Fridley, MN in an alley early that morning.
According to court documents, the girl told police she had left a party and was walking near White Bear Avenue when a male grabbed her, threw her to the ground and forced her to give him oral sex. He then shoved her onto the bed of a truck, where he threatened to kill her and raped her two more times.
The victim was able to escape when two witnesses drove up in a truck and interrupted the assault. The defendant stole the girl's purse but left his cell phone at the scene. His DNA also was found during a sex assault exam on the victim and on a condom that was left at the scene.
According to Assistant State’s Attorney Heidi Westby, the girl missed a lot of school and is “emotionally distraught” and “unable to speak about the offense.”
The girl, now 17, and her mother sat red-eyed and huddled together in the courtroom Wednesday for the sentencing of Tarrance Jamal Peaches, but they did not give victim-impact statements.
Peaches plead guilty in June to 1st degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a mandatory minimum 12 year prison sentence. Judge DeCourcy sentenced him to the 15 ½ years after calling the attack particulary heinous, saying, "We're all diminished by this."
According to court documents, the girl told police she had left a party and was walking near White Bear Avenue when a male grabbed her, threw her to the ground and forced her to give him oral sex. He then shoved her onto the bed of a truck, where he threatened to kill her and raped her two more times.
The victim was able to escape when two witnesses drove up in a truck and interrupted the assault. The defendant stole the girl's purse but left his cell phone at the scene. His DNA also was found during a sex assault exam on the victim and on a condom that was left at the scene.
According to Assistant State’s Attorney Heidi Westby, the girl missed a lot of school and is “emotionally distraught” and “unable to speak about the offense.”
The girl, now 17, and her mother sat red-eyed and huddled together in the courtroom Wednesday for the sentencing of Tarrance Jamal Peaches, but they did not give victim-impact statements.
Peaches plead guilty in June to 1st degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a mandatory minimum 12 year prison sentence. Judge DeCourcy sentenced him to the 15 ½ years after calling the attack particulary heinous, saying, "We're all diminished by this."
Pleasant Valley, NY man sentenced to 15 to life for rape
Roger Katovich, a 33 year old Pleasant Valley, NY man, was sentenced to a prison term of 15 years to life in Poughkeepsie after a guilty plea in May for the predatory sexual assault of a Beekman, NY woman in her apartment back in January. Predatory sexual assault was a crime created by the New York legislature in 2006 to increase sentences for certain rapes to a maximum of 25 to life from the previous maximum of 8 1/3 to 25 years.
According to the 14 count indictment, Katovich, dressed in black except for a gray mask, was armed with a replica pistol when he forced himself into her Poughquag apartment, then forced his way into her, striking her with the pistol before raping her.
The Senior Assistant District Attorney, Marjorie Smith, said the victim and her family attended the sentencing.
“These are just lovely people. This is every woman’s worst nightmare. This woman was attacked brutally at gunpoint in her home…it was a very brutal rape case. A woman was a victim of a forcible rape in her own home.”
Smith said that the predatory sexual assault charge enabled judges to sentence rapists to the “time they deserved.”
“In this particular case, this man deserves to be in prison and supervised for the rest of his life.”
According to the 14 count indictment, Katovich, dressed in black except for a gray mask, was armed with a replica pistol when he forced himself into her Poughquag apartment, then forced his way into her, striking her with the pistol before raping her.
The Senior Assistant District Attorney, Marjorie Smith, said the victim and her family attended the sentencing.
“These are just lovely people. This is every woman’s worst nightmare. This woman was attacked brutally at gunpoint in her home…it was a very brutal rape case. A woman was a victim of a forcible rape in her own home.”
Smith said that the predatory sexual assault charge enabled judges to sentence rapists to the “time they deserved.”
“In this particular case, this man deserves to be in prison and supervised for the rest of his life.”
Brandon, MS man sentenced to 82 years for rape of 73 year old woman
Kirby Shavers was sentenced to 82 years in prison for the rape and assault on a 73 year old Brandon, MS woman while tying her son up. He admitted that he robbed her of her car, later found in Jackson, MS, and church money. The attack took place in August 2007, and Shavers was arrested in an abandoned Jackson house.
Rankin County Circuit Court Judge William Chapman sentenced the 49 year old Brandon man to 82 years total, 65 of which are to be served consecutively. His earliest release date will be in 2073, a fact the judge alluded to when he said, "You almost positively will never leave the penitentiary… You did not have to conduct the aggravated assault to conduct the rape," Chapman said. "But you did it anyway.”
Rankin-Madison District Attorney Michael Guest said, "This is one of the most heinous crimes I have ever prosecuted. If anyone deserves to spend the rest of his life in jail, it is Kirby Shavers."
Though the victim and her son weren’t in court, the sister in law read the woman’s victim impact statement.
But a sister-in-law of the elderly woman read a prepared statement. In the note, the rape victim said she is afraid to go anywhere alone and has gone into debt because she had to find a new home. It is too traumatic for her to be in her home of 38 years.
She is unable to work, sleep soundly or live a normal life with friends and family, she said. And she still has to see a doctor regularly.
"You instilled a sense of fear in me that will never go away," the sister-in-law read from the statement. "I'm an old woman who won't be able to enjoy the rest of my life. You took that from me. ... You will fear the big men in prison, as you will be small in their eyes."
Chapman asked Shavers if he would like to respond, and he said no.
As part of the evidence, Guest showed Chapman a photo of the victim taken shortly after the assault. Chapman mentioned it during the sentencing.
Aafram Sellers, Shaver’s public defender, said that “the weight of the evidence against [Sellers] was overwhelming.” He did not discuss a possible motive or Shavers’ drug use at the time of the rape, but said that the guilty plea and sentencing was “[Shaver’s] way of showing remorse.”
The rape victim’s granddaughter called Shavers a killer after the sentencing in a media interview because “ when you rape somebody that's what happens. You kill them. It's a shame that the Supreme Court of this country doesn't allow the death penalty for rape.”
The granddaughter called Shavers an evil animal because the grandmother said "Jesus is going to get you for this" during the rape, causing Shaver to attack harder.
Rankin County Circuit Court Judge William Chapman sentenced the 49 year old Brandon man to 82 years total, 65 of which are to be served consecutively. His earliest release date will be in 2073, a fact the judge alluded to when he said, "You almost positively will never leave the penitentiary… You did not have to conduct the aggravated assault to conduct the rape," Chapman said. "But you did it anyway.”
Rankin-Madison District Attorney Michael Guest said, "This is one of the most heinous crimes I have ever prosecuted. If anyone deserves to spend the rest of his life in jail, it is Kirby Shavers."
Though the victim and her son weren’t in court, the sister in law read the woman’s victim impact statement.
But a sister-in-law of the elderly woman read a prepared statement. In the note, the rape victim said she is afraid to go anywhere alone and has gone into debt because she had to find a new home. It is too traumatic for her to be in her home of 38 years.
She is unable to work, sleep soundly or live a normal life with friends and family, she said. And she still has to see a doctor regularly.
"You instilled a sense of fear in me that will never go away," the sister-in-law read from the statement. "I'm an old woman who won't be able to enjoy the rest of my life. You took that from me. ... You will fear the big men in prison, as you will be small in their eyes."
Chapman asked Shavers if he would like to respond, and he said no.
As part of the evidence, Guest showed Chapman a photo of the victim taken shortly after the assault. Chapman mentioned it during the sentencing.
Aafram Sellers, Shaver’s public defender, said that “the weight of the evidence against [Sellers] was overwhelming.” He did not discuss a possible motive or Shavers’ drug use at the time of the rape, but said that the guilty plea and sentencing was “[Shaver’s] way of showing remorse.”
The rape victim’s granddaughter called Shavers a killer after the sentencing in a media interview because “ when you rape somebody that's what happens. You kill them. It's a shame that the Supreme Court of this country doesn't allow the death penalty for rape.”
The granddaughter called Shavers an evil animal because the grandmother said "Jesus is going to get you for this" during the rape, causing Shaver to attack harder.
Man violates restraining order by remarrying wife he abused
A Batavia, NY man was charged with violating an order of protection by going too near to his ex-wife at the wedding where he remarried her. The current arrest occurred after Timothy T. Cole, 45, remarried his 34 year old Batavia wife. A neighbor called after Cole started arguing with a guest over a chair, and police found the existing order of protection taken out by his second time bride.
According to Batavia City Court documents, Cole was charged with second-degree criminal contempt on July 1, meaning that he violated a previous court order. The July 1 order of protection required Cole to stay away from the woman he ended up marrying Friday.
The order, which also mandated that he stay away from the woman's home, school, business and place of employment, was effective until July 1, 2011. Cole was required to "refrain from communication or any other contact" with the woman.
Cole was charged with 1st degree criminal contempt, a felony, for the remarriage to his wife. He is currently being held without bond at the Genesee County jail. He had violated previous protective orders against his victim, and had a criminal record for punching his wife in the eye back when they were married the 1st time in 2003. In 2005, Cole was charged with assault after instigating an attack on another prosiner, and he spent a decade in jail for 2nd degree kidnapping in 1987.
Cathy Mazzotta, executive director of Alternatives for Battered Women in Rochester, was not familiar with Cole's case but said women who have orders of protection against men sometimes end up having contact with them for various reasons.
"Victims have the same hopes and aspirations we all have," Mazzotta said. "They are hopeful their abusers will change ... and believe their promises. They are looking toward the future in a positive way."
According to Batavia City Court documents, Cole was charged with second-degree criminal contempt on July 1, meaning that he violated a previous court order. The July 1 order of protection required Cole to stay away from the woman he ended up marrying Friday.
The order, which also mandated that he stay away from the woman's home, school, business and place of employment, was effective until July 1, 2011. Cole was required to "refrain from communication or any other contact" with the woman.
Cole was charged with 1st degree criminal contempt, a felony, for the remarriage to his wife. He is currently being held without bond at the Genesee County jail. He had violated previous protective orders against his victim, and had a criminal record for punching his wife in the eye back when they were married the 1st time in 2003. In 2005, Cole was charged with assault after instigating an attack on another prosiner, and he spent a decade in jail for 2nd degree kidnapping in 1987.
Cathy Mazzotta, executive director of Alternatives for Battered Women in Rochester, was not familiar with Cole's case but said women who have orders of protection against men sometimes end up having contact with them for various reasons.
"Victims have the same hopes and aspirations we all have," Mazzotta said. "They are hopeful their abusers will change ... and believe their promises. They are looking toward the future in a positive way."
17 year old Milwaukeean charged with serial rapes
Michael Tarrell McThune, 17, is charged with the serial rapes of five women in and around his north Milwaukee neighborhood. The targets were women walking alone between 10:30 PM and 2 AM, according to police. McThune became a suspect after 2 attacks on August 2, where the victims told police that the attacker came up to them in a bike, and raped them at gunpoint.
According to the criminal complaint, McThune attacked a 17-year-old girl June 22 in the 2500 block of W. Center St. He also threatened and raped a 21-year-old woman July 12 and a 27-year-old woman July 16, each about four blocks apart on N. 24th Place, the complaint says.
McThune is charged with committing two separate attacks on 18-year-old women Aug. 2, which prompted police to search for a possible serial rapist.
According to the criminal complaint, McThune admitted the assaults to police but said they were prostitution-related.
The rape charges are not the only charges McThune faces. He is also charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon under age 18, resisting or obstructing an officer and possession of THC. McThune was released on bond in those cases, but is being held on $500,000 bond for 5 counts of 1st degree armed sexual assault, a crime which carries a maximum 60 sentence in a Wisconsin prison.
According to the criminal complaint, McThune attacked a 17-year-old girl June 22 in the 2500 block of W. Center St. He also threatened and raped a 21-year-old woman July 12 and a 27-year-old woman July 16, each about four blocks apart on N. 24th Place, the complaint says.
McThune is charged with committing two separate attacks on 18-year-old women Aug. 2, which prompted police to search for a possible serial rapist.
According to the criminal complaint, McThune admitted the assaults to police but said they were prostitution-related.
The rape charges are not the only charges McThune faces. He is also charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon under age 18, resisting or obstructing an officer and possession of THC. McThune was released on bond in those cases, but is being held on $500,000 bond for 5 counts of 1st degree armed sexual assault, a crime which carries a maximum 60 sentence in a Wisconsin prison.
Georgia man chared with keeping family prisoner in filthy trailer
By GREG BLUESTEIN, Associated Press Writer Wed Aug 13, 5:11 PM ET
LAVONIA, Ga. - When police finally searched the squat white mobile home where they say a man held his family captive for three years, the place was so filthy and bug-infested that one officer had to wear a gas mask and another refused to continue.
Thousands of roaches and other bugs crawled in and out of drawers, cupboards and furniture. Spoiled food littered the place, and a long-ignored plumbing problem left the floors rotten and mattresses moldy.
Investigators allege it was in this three-bedroom trailer in northeastern Georgia where Raymond Daniel Thurmond forced his wife and four children to live, allowing them to leave only once in three years. Even then, it was only fleeting: A two-hour Easter visit to his wife's parents' place in North Carolina.
"It was pretty much a virtual prison," Lavonia Police Lt. Missy Collins said Wednesday. "He controlled what they ate, what they did. He controlled pretty much everything."
Thurmond now awaits a bond hearing on charges of rape, child abuse and false imprisonment. He has asked for an attorney but one hadn't been assigned as of Wednesday afternoon. Franklin County jail officials turned down a request by The Associated Press to interview Thurmond.
The family moved to the mobile home park in August 2005, their place blending in among row after row of white trailers. He took a job at a nearby poultry plant. Neighbors described him as polite and quiet, although the park manager said the family was almost evicted because of late rent.
He had no police record, and at one point enrolled his eldest child in first grade.
Behind closed doors, however, police say Thurmond ruled the family with an iron fist. Sometimes, he'd fly into a rage and hit his children — ages 14, 13, 12 and 9 — with a steel-toed boot, Collins said. Other times, the children told Collins they would hear their father attacking and raping their mother in a bedroom.
"I asked, 'Did you go to help?' And they looked at me like it was the strangest question. Dad pretty much did whatever he wanted to do," Collins said.
People in this town of 2,200 about 90 miles from Atlanta are left wondering why it took so long to discover the dire situation — and why Thurmond's wife and children didn't leave sooner.
Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle said his officers found evidence that Thurmond may have locked the bedroom doors while he was at work each day, but he suggested Thurmond's wife may also have suffered from "battered wife's syndrome."
"The victims of this type of abuse, they're made to believe they're not worthy of anything, that this is what they deserve," he said. "It's amazing. They were not allowed outside. They were simply not allowed to go near the door. It all goes back to the control thing."
Police are awaiting the results of psychological tests to decide whether to charge Thurmond's wife, but Collins said she seemed to have slowly fallen under her husband's control.
She described her marriage as wonderful at first, but she steadily lost control, Collins said.
"I think it's just hitting her what she is going through," she said.
Thurmond's wife finally came forward after he told her he was leaving her for another woman and that he'd return every few days with food, Collins said.
The children, who are underweight and malnourished, are in government custody, and investigators describe them as shy, but not completely socially undeveloped. They didn't attend school except for the oldest for a short time.
Residents of the 100-unit park gathered at the Thurmond home after learning of the shocking news.
"We had no clue," said Sonya Savage, who has lived there for a year. "I never even knew he had kids in there."
The stench still lingered among the moldy mattresses inside.
"He was very respectable, very kind and very serious," said Alma Medina, the park's property manager, who lived three homes down. "You'd never imagine he would live like this."
LAVONIA, Ga. - When police finally searched the squat white mobile home where they say a man held his family captive for three years, the place was so filthy and bug-infested that one officer had to wear a gas mask and another refused to continue.
Thousands of roaches and other bugs crawled in and out of drawers, cupboards and furniture. Spoiled food littered the place, and a long-ignored plumbing problem left the floors rotten and mattresses moldy.
Investigators allege it was in this three-bedroom trailer in northeastern Georgia where Raymond Daniel Thurmond forced his wife and four children to live, allowing them to leave only once in three years. Even then, it was only fleeting: A two-hour Easter visit to his wife's parents' place in North Carolina.
"It was pretty much a virtual prison," Lavonia Police Lt. Missy Collins said Wednesday. "He controlled what they ate, what they did. He controlled pretty much everything."
Thurmond now awaits a bond hearing on charges of rape, child abuse and false imprisonment. He has asked for an attorney but one hadn't been assigned as of Wednesday afternoon. Franklin County jail officials turned down a request by The Associated Press to interview Thurmond.
The family moved to the mobile home park in August 2005, their place blending in among row after row of white trailers. He took a job at a nearby poultry plant. Neighbors described him as polite and quiet, although the park manager said the family was almost evicted because of late rent.
He had no police record, and at one point enrolled his eldest child in first grade.
Behind closed doors, however, police say Thurmond ruled the family with an iron fist. Sometimes, he'd fly into a rage and hit his children — ages 14, 13, 12 and 9 — with a steel-toed boot, Collins said. Other times, the children told Collins they would hear their father attacking and raping their mother in a bedroom.
"I asked, 'Did you go to help?' And they looked at me like it was the strangest question. Dad pretty much did whatever he wanted to do," Collins said.
People in this town of 2,200 about 90 miles from Atlanta are left wondering why it took so long to discover the dire situation — and why Thurmond's wife and children didn't leave sooner.
Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle said his officers found evidence that Thurmond may have locked the bedroom doors while he was at work each day, but he suggested Thurmond's wife may also have suffered from "battered wife's syndrome."
"The victims of this type of abuse, they're made to believe they're not worthy of anything, that this is what they deserve," he said. "It's amazing. They were not allowed outside. They were simply not allowed to go near the door. It all goes back to the control thing."
Police are awaiting the results of psychological tests to decide whether to charge Thurmond's wife, but Collins said she seemed to have slowly fallen under her husband's control.
She described her marriage as wonderful at first, but she steadily lost control, Collins said.
"I think it's just hitting her what she is going through," she said.
Thurmond's wife finally came forward after he told her he was leaving her for another woman and that he'd return every few days with food, Collins said.
The children, who are underweight and malnourished, are in government custody, and investigators describe them as shy, but not completely socially undeveloped. They didn't attend school except for the oldest for a short time.
Residents of the 100-unit park gathered at the Thurmond home after learning of the shocking news.
"We had no clue," said Sonya Savage, who has lived there for a year. "I never even knew he had kids in there."
The stench still lingered among the moldy mattresses inside.
"He was very respectable, very kind and very serious," said Alma Medina, the park's property manager, who lived three homes down. "You'd never imagine he would live like this."
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Police sergeant convicted of rapes - sentenced August 12 to 440 years
(Original Post 6-19-08)
Former Bloomington, IL Police Sergeant Jeffery Pelo was arrested in 2006 for the rapes of 4 women and the stalking of a 5th. He was convicted yesterday of 35 counts stemming from those attacks and is expected to face a minimum sentence of life equivalent. The Bloomington Pantagraph has an extensive collection of Pelo trial links.
(Update 8-13-08) Pelo was sentenced to 440 years in prison for the rape of 4 women and the stalking of a 5th yesterday in Bloomington. Associate Judge Robert Freitag sentenced him in a McLean County courtroom consecutively for 5 separate attacks. Pelo was sentenced to 255 years for his attack on victim S.G. on January 26, 2005. The 255 years were broken into 8 consecutive 28 year terms for aggravated criminal sexual assault, 26 years for home invasion, and another 5 years for intimidation.
Pelo got 45 years for the rape of A.L., raped January 4, 2005, and 70 years for the assault on K.M. in April 2003. The first rape, of A.M. back in 2002, netted 60 years, and the stalking of J.G added 10 more years. Pelo's sentence could have been even longer, if Judge Frietag could have stacked sentences for all counts.
Judge Frietag denounced Pelo as a blight to his community, saying "You literally went from being a protector of our community to a plague on our community. The atrocity is magnified by the fact you were a police officer at the time of these offenses.”
Former Bloomington, IL Police Sergeant Jeffery Pelo was arrested in 2006 for the rapes of 4 women and the stalking of a 5th. He was convicted yesterday of 35 counts stemming from those attacks and is expected to face a minimum sentence of life equivalent. The Bloomington Pantagraph has an extensive collection of Pelo trial links.
(Update 8-13-08) Pelo was sentenced to 440 years in prison for the rape of 4 women and the stalking of a 5th yesterday in Bloomington. Associate Judge Robert Freitag sentenced him in a McLean County courtroom consecutively for 5 separate attacks. Pelo was sentenced to 255 years for his attack on victim S.G. on January 26, 2005. The 255 years were broken into 8 consecutive 28 year terms for aggravated criminal sexual assault, 26 years for home invasion, and another 5 years for intimidation.
Pelo got 45 years for the rape of A.L., raped January 4, 2005, and 70 years for the assault on K.M. in April 2003. The first rape, of A.M. back in 2002, netted 60 years, and the stalking of J.G added 10 more years. Pelo's sentence could have been even longer, if Judge Frietag could have stacked sentences for all counts.
Judge Frietag denounced Pelo as a blight to his community, saying "You literally went from being a protector of our community to a plague on our community. The atrocity is magnified by the fact you were a police officer at the time of these offenses.”
December-March sexual relationship between teacher and 18 year old student leads to probation, end of teaching career
(Original Post 6-3-08)
Following the plea hearing, James declined to comment on behalf of his client.
Dr. Rodney Hutto, NISD superintendent, said the district will continue to abide by what is in the best interest of NISD students.
"We will continue to make sure that our kids are protected and do the best that we can by them... We are here for the kids and to ensure their safety and well-being. We want to be the best possible school system. Our goal is to be the best in Texas."
Dayna Crenshaw, 33 is a Nacogdoches High School coach who has been charged with an improper relationship between an educator and a student, this time in Nacogdoches, TX. She was arraigned in the Nacogdoches County Jail Tuesday Morning for the 2nd degree felony, which applies even if the victim is over the AOC and the relationship is otherwise consensual.
NISD police began investigating when a female student alleged this spring that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with Crenshaw for four months. The identity of the high school student making the allegation is only identified by initials inside the affidavit. We do know she's 18 years old and graduated last week.
The student spoke of Crenshaws' tattoo of pink and baby blue footprints located below her right waistline. The student reportedly saw them during sexual acts that occurred in Crenshaw's mothers house. The student successfully provided police a detailed floor plan of the home and stated the sex occurred in Crenshaw's mother's bedroom. The home is just 4/10's a mile from the high school where both spent the majority of the day.
Crenshaw was placed on administrative leave and after it was reported to the Nacogdoches Independent School District [NISD] that "in regards to allegations being made by a female student that stated she had been involved in a sexual relationship with a teacher, Dayna Crenshaw." She was released on $15,000 bond after being arraigned byJudge Dorothy Tigner-Thompson.
NISD Human Resources assistant superintendent G.W. Neal said Dayna Crenshaw remains an employee on administrative leave. The Texas State Board of Education will be notified of the alleged relationship should the district fire her.
NISD police began investigating when a female student alleged this spring that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with Crenshaw for four months. The identity of the high school student making the allegation is only identified by initials inside the affidavit. We do know she's 18 years old and graduated last week.
The student spoke of Crenshaws' tattoo of pink and baby blue footprints located below her right waistline. The student reportedly saw them during sexual acts that occurred in Crenshaw's mothers house. The student successfully provided police a detailed floor plan of the home and stated the sex occurred in Crenshaw's mother's bedroom. The home is just 4/10's a mile from the high school where both spent the majority of the day.
Crenshaw was placed on administrative leave and after it was reported to the Nacogdoches Independent School District [NISD] that "in regards to allegations being made by a female student that stated she had been involved in a sexual relationship with a teacher, Dayna Crenshaw." She was released on $15,000 bond after being arraigned byJudge Dorothy Tigner-Thompson.
NISD Human Resources assistant superintendent G.W. Neal said Dayna Crenshaw remains an employee on administrative leave. The Texas State Board of Education will be notified of the alleged relationship should the district fire her.
(Update 8-13-08) Crenshaw was sentenced to a $2000 fine, $5000 restitution to the NISD, and 5 years deferred adjudication probation on August 8. She had to resign from the NISD by 5PM Friday, August 8, releasing them from any civil liabilities. She can't work in the education field while on probation, or as a teacher again, even after her probation ends.
By entering a plea of guilty, Crenshaw gave up certain rights, including the right to a jury trial and the right to bring witnesses to testify or her behalf, Cox said. She also waived arraignment and gave up her right to appeal.
Following the plea hearing, James declined to comment on behalf of his client.
Dr. Rodney Hutto, NISD superintendent, said the district will continue to abide by what is in the best interest of NISD students.
"We will continue to make sure that our kids are protected and do the best that we can by them... We are here for the kids and to ensure their safety and well-being. We want to be the best possible school system. Our goal is to be the best in Texas."
After completion of deferred adjudication in Texas, there will not be an official criminal record, but if Crenshaw is on the SO list, she'll remain there for life.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Chiropractor convicted of sexually abusing 3 women and a girl
(Original Post 6-4-08)
Chi Van "Henry" Pham, 43, from Yorba Linda, CA was convicted of four counts of sexual assault by fraud and two counts of battery for inappropriately touching four female patients at his Anaheim clinin. Jurors, who deliberated for several days, deadlocked on a charge of sexual battery and lewd or lewd or lascivious act with a minor. Pham was acquitted of a L & L act with a minor charge. He worked at the aptly named California Clinic in Anaheim, where according to prosecutor Farrah Emami, all victims were sexually assaulted.
Defense attorney Joseph P. Smith had argued that the nature of chiropractic treatment is "hands-on," and that the treatment is "about manipulating the body to repair damage."
The expectation of patients, he said, is sometimes "at odds with the treatment," which can be "misinterpreted."
The patients came for treatment after they were involved in serious automobile accidents that left them with neck, chest and shoulder pain.
The sexual battery by fraud relates to acts occurring as part of chiropractic treatment.
"Our position was that, in each case, no evidence was presented that there was any sexual gratification purpose," Smith said.
Emami said that between March 1 and Oct. 31 of 2003, and between July 1 and July 31 of 2005, Pham sexually assaulted Jane Doe No. 1, who was between 13 and 15 years old, on several occasions by fondling her breasts and one time putting his hands in her pants and touching her vagina. In July 2005, he put his arms around the girl, kissed her arm and rubbed his erect penis against her thigh through his clothing, prosecutors said.
The charges on which jurors deadlocked pertained to Jane Doe No. 1's sister, who was 13 years old. Prosecutors alleged that Pham, on several occasions, touched her breasts and buttocks under the pretense of treating the girl.
The acts with Jane Doe No. 3 occurred during the month of August 2005, when she was 23 years old and he put his hand inside her bra and fondled her breasts, Emami said.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Patrick Donohue will sentence Pham on July 25 to up to 7 years in prison. Civil lawsuits have been filed, and Pham is expected to have to register as a sex offender. Accoeding to Smith, Pham rejected an offer of 6 years in exchange for a guilty plea. Pham is currently in jail pending sentencing.
(Update 8-9-08) Pham was sentenced to the maximum 7 year sentence by Superior Court Judge Patrick H. Donahue for 4 counts of sexual battery by fraud and 2 counts of misdemeanor battery. Pham applied for probation, but his request was denied because he abused his position of trust.
Chi Van "Henry" Pham, 43, from Yorba Linda, CA was convicted of four counts of sexual assault by fraud and two counts of battery for inappropriately touching four female patients at his Anaheim clinin. Jurors, who deliberated for several days, deadlocked on a charge of sexual battery and lewd or lewd or lascivious act with a minor. Pham was acquitted of a L & L act with a minor charge. He worked at the aptly named California Clinic in Anaheim, where according to prosecutor Farrah Emami, all victims were sexually assaulted.
Defense attorney Joseph P. Smith had argued that the nature of chiropractic treatment is "hands-on," and that the treatment is "about manipulating the body to repair damage."
The expectation of patients, he said, is sometimes "at odds with the treatment," which can be "misinterpreted."
The patients came for treatment after they were involved in serious automobile accidents that left them with neck, chest and shoulder pain.
The sexual battery by fraud relates to acts occurring as part of chiropractic treatment.
"Our position was that, in each case, no evidence was presented that there was any sexual gratification purpose," Smith said.
Emami said that between March 1 and Oct. 31 of 2003, and between July 1 and July 31 of 2005, Pham sexually assaulted Jane Doe No. 1, who was between 13 and 15 years old, on several occasions by fondling her breasts and one time putting his hands in her pants and touching her vagina. In July 2005, he put his arms around the girl, kissed her arm and rubbed his erect penis against her thigh through his clothing, prosecutors said.
The charges on which jurors deadlocked pertained to Jane Doe No. 1's sister, who was 13 years old. Prosecutors alleged that Pham, on several occasions, touched her breasts and buttocks under the pretense of treating the girl.
The acts with Jane Doe No. 3 occurred during the month of August 2005, when she was 23 years old and he put his hand inside her bra and fondled her breasts, Emami said.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Patrick Donohue will sentence Pham on July 25 to up to 7 years in prison. Civil lawsuits have been filed, and Pham is expected to have to register as a sex offender. Accoeding to Smith, Pham rejected an offer of 6 years in exchange for a guilty plea. Pham is currently in jail pending sentencing.
(Update 8-9-08) Pham was sentenced to the maximum 7 year sentence by Superior Court Judge Patrick H. Donahue for 4 counts of sexual battery by fraud and 2 counts of misdemeanor battery. Pham applied for probation, but his request was denied because he abused his position of trust.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
British women's advocates open letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown - posted in The New Guardian
Dear Prime Minister,
As you are aware, the prevalence of sexual violence is, unfortunately, extremely high, with a conservative estimate of at least 80,000 women being raped every year.
The Government’s Sexual Violence and Abuse Action Plan acknowledges that sexual violence is a gendered crime, overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women and children. It is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality. The Action Plan goes on to say that “sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse are two of the most serious and damaging crimes in our society”.
The impact of sexual violence is significant and long-term, affecting physical and mental health, ability to work or study, and disruption in intimate relationships. The cost to the state of sexual violence was £8.5 billion in 2003-04, with much of this cost being lost outputs due to long-term health issues.
Rape Crisis centres provide essential holistic services to support women and girls to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of sexual violence, whether their experiences happened recently or in the past. They provide specialist, longterm support, counselling and advocacy in women-only spaces which empower survivors to take back control of their lives.
Yet most women do not have access to a Rape Crisis centre in the UK (Map of Gaps research), and Rape Crisis centres are massively under-funded, resulting in ever-growing waiting lists, staff redundancies and closure of services, with devastating impacts on women who need support.
One in five centres has closed in the last five years, and new research (The Crisis in Rape Crisis), has found that Rape Crisis centres in England and Wales have a combined annual income of just £3.5m; that 79% of grants are for one year or less, and that the majority of women and girls have to wait over 3 months to access this ‘crisis’ provision.
Many women and girls will experience sexual violence – and they deserve to have the choice to access specialist support that meets their needs. This can only happen if the sustainability of the Rape Crisis sector is urgently addressed.
We warmly welcome the recent announcement by Harriet Harman of forthcoming emergency funding of £1m for Rape Crisis centres. This money will stop the imminent closures of Rape Crisis centres this year. However, what is needed now is a firm political commitment to providing adequate, sustainable and long-term funding to Rape Crisis Centres. The Scottish model of providing ‘ring-fenced’ rape crisis funding is an excellent example, as this has not only helped to build the capacity of existing groups, but has also ensured that new centres have opened to address the geographical gaps in service provision for survivors of rape and other sexual violence.
We ask you to urge your Cabinet ministers, including the Inter-Ministerial Group on Sexual Violence, to implement a sustainable business model for the
Rape Crisis sector in the longer term, and to develop a Violence Against Women Strategy, as a matter of urgent priority. Any discussions need to include representatives from all of the Departments involved in contributing towards the emergency funding (the Department for Communities and Local
Government, Government Equalities Office, Department for Health, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and the Cabinet Office) and representatives from
the Rape Crisis sector.
Signed by:
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive of the Women's Resource Centre
Dr Nicole Westmarland, Chair of Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
Sheila Coates, Director, South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre (SERICC)
Liz Kelly, Director, Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU); Chair, End Violence Against Women (EVAW)
Theresa May, Conservative MP for Maidenhead, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Shadow Minister for Women.
Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green and a councillor in Haringey
Baroness Joyce Gould, Chair of the Women's National Commission
Shere Hite, researcher, author
Suzanne Moore, journalist for Mail on Sunday
Deborah Orr, journalist for The Independent
Louise Court, Editor, Cosmopolitan
Beatrix Campbell, journalist
Kira Cochrane, Women’s Editor, Guardian
Polly Toynbee, columnist, Guardian
Fay Mansell, Chair, National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI)
Katherine Rake, Director, Fawcett Society
Sally Copley, Director of Policy, Research and Campaigns, YWCA England and Wales
Sue Turrell, Executive Director, WOMANKIND Worldwide
Shami Chakrabarti, Director, Liberty
Julie Bentley, Chief Executive, fpa (Family Planning Association)
Dana Hovig, Chief Executive, Marie Stopes International
Ben Hughes, Chief Executive, bassac (British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centres)
Kevin Curley, Chief Executive, National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA)
Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive, Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO)
Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive, Directory of Social Change
Elizabeth Balgobin, Chief Executive, London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC)
Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive, NCVO (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations)
Sumanta Roy, Acting Director, Imkaan
Marcia Lewinson, Director, Women Acting in Today's Society (WAITS)
Pragna Patel, Chair, Southall Black Sisters
Parvin Ali, Chief Executive, FATIMA Women's Network
Nicola Harwin, Chief Executive, Women's Aid Federation of England
Sandra Horley, Chief Executive, Refuge
Denise Marshall, Chief Executive, Eaves Women's Aid, Poppy Project and Lilith Project
Juliette Colman, Chair, National Alliance of Womens Organisations in England (NAWO)
Emma Scott, Acting Director, Rights of Women
Stephen Hammersley, Chief Executive, Community Foundation Network
Mark Reedman, Chief Executive, Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Voluntary and Community Organisations
Vandna Gohil, Chief Executive, Voice4Change England
Katie Curtis, National Union of Students (NUS) National Women's Officer
As you are aware, the prevalence of sexual violence is, unfortunately, extremely high, with a conservative estimate of at least 80,000 women being raped every year.
The Government’s Sexual Violence and Abuse Action Plan acknowledges that sexual violence is a gendered crime, overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women and children. It is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality. The Action Plan goes on to say that “sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse are two of the most serious and damaging crimes in our society”.
The impact of sexual violence is significant and long-term, affecting physical and mental health, ability to work or study, and disruption in intimate relationships. The cost to the state of sexual violence was £8.5 billion in 2003-04, with much of this cost being lost outputs due to long-term health issues.
Rape Crisis centres provide essential holistic services to support women and girls to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of sexual violence, whether their experiences happened recently or in the past. They provide specialist, longterm support, counselling and advocacy in women-only spaces which empower survivors to take back control of their lives.
Yet most women do not have access to a Rape Crisis centre in the UK (Map of Gaps research), and Rape Crisis centres are massively under-funded, resulting in ever-growing waiting lists, staff redundancies and closure of services, with devastating impacts on women who need support.
One in five centres has closed in the last five years, and new research (The Crisis in Rape Crisis), has found that Rape Crisis centres in England and Wales have a combined annual income of just £3.5m; that 79% of grants are for one year or less, and that the majority of women and girls have to wait over 3 months to access this ‘crisis’ provision.
Many women and girls will experience sexual violence – and they deserve to have the choice to access specialist support that meets their needs. This can only happen if the sustainability of the Rape Crisis sector is urgently addressed.
We warmly welcome the recent announcement by Harriet Harman of forthcoming emergency funding of £1m for Rape Crisis centres. This money will stop the imminent closures of Rape Crisis centres this year. However, what is needed now is a firm political commitment to providing adequate, sustainable and long-term funding to Rape Crisis Centres. The Scottish model of providing ‘ring-fenced’ rape crisis funding is an excellent example, as this has not only helped to build the capacity of existing groups, but has also ensured that new centres have opened to address the geographical gaps in service provision for survivors of rape and other sexual violence.
We ask you to urge your Cabinet ministers, including the Inter-Ministerial Group on Sexual Violence, to implement a sustainable business model for the
Rape Crisis sector in the longer term, and to develop a Violence Against Women Strategy, as a matter of urgent priority. Any discussions need to include representatives from all of the Departments involved in contributing towards the emergency funding (the Department for Communities and Local
Government, Government Equalities Office, Department for Health, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and the Cabinet Office) and representatives from
the Rape Crisis sector.
Signed by:
Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive of the Women's Resource Centre
Dr Nicole Westmarland, Chair of Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
Sheila Coates, Director, South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre (SERICC)
Liz Kelly, Director, Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU); Chair, End Violence Against Women (EVAW)
Theresa May, Conservative MP for Maidenhead, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Shadow Minister for Women.
Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green and a councillor in Haringey
Baroness Joyce Gould, Chair of the Women's National Commission
Shere Hite, researcher, author
Suzanne Moore, journalist for Mail on Sunday
Deborah Orr, journalist for The Independent
Louise Court, Editor, Cosmopolitan
Beatrix Campbell, journalist
Kira Cochrane, Women’s Editor, Guardian
Polly Toynbee, columnist, Guardian
Fay Mansell, Chair, National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI)
Katherine Rake, Director, Fawcett Society
Sally Copley, Director of Policy, Research and Campaigns, YWCA England and Wales
Sue Turrell, Executive Director, WOMANKIND Worldwide
Shami Chakrabarti, Director, Liberty
Julie Bentley, Chief Executive, fpa (Family Planning Association)
Dana Hovig, Chief Executive, Marie Stopes International
Ben Hughes, Chief Executive, bassac (British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centres)
Kevin Curley, Chief Executive, National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA)
Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive, Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO)
Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive, Directory of Social Change
Elizabeth Balgobin, Chief Executive, London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC)
Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive, NCVO (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations)
Sumanta Roy, Acting Director, Imkaan
Marcia Lewinson, Director, Women Acting in Today's Society (WAITS)
Pragna Patel, Chair, Southall Black Sisters
Parvin Ali, Chief Executive, FATIMA Women's Network
Nicola Harwin, Chief Executive, Women's Aid Federation of England
Sandra Horley, Chief Executive, Refuge
Denise Marshall, Chief Executive, Eaves Women's Aid, Poppy Project and Lilith Project
Juliette Colman, Chair, National Alliance of Womens Organisations in England (NAWO)
Emma Scott, Acting Director, Rights of Women
Stephen Hammersley, Chief Executive, Community Foundation Network
Mark Reedman, Chief Executive, Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Voluntary and Community Organisations
Vandna Gohil, Chief Executive, Voice4Change England
Katie Curtis, National Union of Students (NUS) National Women's Officer
17 year old Bloomington, IL rapist gets 92 years for attack, burglaries
A 17 year old who was convicted of raping a 20 year old woman, describing it as “a one night stand” was sentenced to 92 years in prison. Yarii Massey was convicted of several burglaries in Spring 2007, culminating in the rape of a Bloomington, IL woman in May 2007.
Before the sentencing, Massey said that the sex with the victim was consensual, and occurred after she gave him a ride home. He also said that his mother took him to Bloomington so he could escape gangs, and prison “will be a gang-related place. I’m either gonna be a violent person or a dead person.”
Defense lawyer Larry Spears asked for Massey to be sentenced to the minimum of 80 years behind bars, and that “anything else would be overkill.” First Assistant State’s Attorney Kim Campbell said that the maximum sentence of 104 years is needed because “he doesn’t deserve to ever see the light of day in society again.” Judge Charles Reynard split the difference, sentencing Massey to 92 years.
A written statement submitted by the victim referred to May 25, 2007, as “awful beyond words.”
“I was hurt so bad and the pain dug so deep, I did not even know how to handle it at times,” said the woman who was not in court.
In imposing the sentence, Reynard told Massey the teen possessed “a dangerousness that ought to be reflected in the court’s sentence.”
Reynard said sexual assault is a crime that leaves behind victims who must repair physical and emotional damage. That damage is the reason lawmakers have approved prison terms for sexual offenses that extend beyond the punishment for murder, said Reynard.
Sexual assault “is an offense that keeps on giving its offense again and again and again,” the judge said.
Massey received 72 years for 4 counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, 16 years for 2 counts of criminal sexual assault, and 4 years for the burglary. All sentences will be served consecutively, and the sexual assault sentences must be served at 85%, while the burglary sentence can be served at 50%. This gives a total of 76.8 years to serve, assuming all of Massey’s available good time is earned. He plans to appeal the sentence.
First Assistant State’s Attorney Kim Campbell said after the hearing that the sentence will protect other potential crime victims.
“We’re pleased to get justice for the victim and that he’s not going to be committing any crimes against people in the future,” said Campbell.
Before the sentencing, Massey said that the sex with the victim was consensual, and occurred after she gave him a ride home. He also said that his mother took him to Bloomington so he could escape gangs, and prison “will be a gang-related place. I’m either gonna be a violent person or a dead person.”
Defense lawyer Larry Spears asked for Massey to be sentenced to the minimum of 80 years behind bars, and that “anything else would be overkill.” First Assistant State’s Attorney Kim Campbell said that the maximum sentence of 104 years is needed because “he doesn’t deserve to ever see the light of day in society again.” Judge Charles Reynard split the difference, sentencing Massey to 92 years.
A written statement submitted by the victim referred to May 25, 2007, as “awful beyond words.”
“I was hurt so bad and the pain dug so deep, I did not even know how to handle it at times,” said the woman who was not in court.
In imposing the sentence, Reynard told Massey the teen possessed “a dangerousness that ought to be reflected in the court’s sentence.”
Reynard said sexual assault is a crime that leaves behind victims who must repair physical and emotional damage. That damage is the reason lawmakers have approved prison terms for sexual offenses that extend beyond the punishment for murder, said Reynard.
Sexual assault “is an offense that keeps on giving its offense again and again and again,” the judge said.
Massey received 72 years for 4 counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, 16 years for 2 counts of criminal sexual assault, and 4 years for the burglary. All sentences will be served consecutively, and the sexual assault sentences must be served at 85%, while the burglary sentence can be served at 50%. This gives a total of 76.8 years to serve, assuming all of Massey’s available good time is earned. He plans to appeal the sentence.
First Assistant State’s Attorney Kim Campbell said after the hearing that the sentence will protect other potential crime victims.
“We’re pleased to get justice for the victim and that he’s not going to be committing any crimes against people in the future,” said Campbell.
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