Minnesota serial predator sentenced to 10 years for raping woman, groping three others

A Shoreview, MN developer was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday, April 20 and will be deported back to his native Bangladesh after being convicted of raping a woman and groping three other women. The sex assaults took place between January 2008 and September 2009. According to prosecutors at his trial, now 36 year old Maksud Mahbub would target women who were drunk at downtown Minneapolis bars during closing time and offer them "help" or rides, when they would be assaulted in his car or home.

The women testified that they passed out and woke up in Mahbub's home or car, unable to remember how they got there. The evidence against Mahbub included a shopping bag found in his closet with four pairs of women's underwear, including one belonging to a victim; a bra; and some women's jewelry. The victims also testified that Mahbub took or disabled their cellphones, in some cases by removing the batteries, so they could not call for help.

In one of the assaults, the victim testified that she had gone to a Minneapolis bar with a friend in September 2009 and had about five beers and six shots of liquor before ending up alone. She testified that the next thing she remembered was being in Mahbub's car. At his townhouse, she said, she fell asleep with her clothes on in his bedroom, but was nude when she woke up and he was on top of her. She said he raped her, even though she pushed him off twice.

Mahbub testified that he had never touched the woman. He also said that he had consensual sex with one of the women and kissed another, but denied touching the others. Mahbub testified at trial that he had only good intentions when he offered the inebriated women rides or took them to his townhome. He admitted only after aggressive questioning that he would have liked to have sex with the ones he groped "if they wanted to."

Investigators found three victims through taxi records after the first reported she was raped in September 2009. Another reported her assault after officials put out a public call for victims to come forward.

The charges that Mahbub was found guilty of and sentenced by Ramsey County District Judge Judith Tilsen were a single count of 3rd degree CSC and 3 counts of 4th degree CSC. A charge of 3rd degree sexual misconduct was dropped, and cases against six other women were not pursued or dropped due to lack of evidence. One of his victim wrote a letter to Judge Tilsen regarding her assault.

"I wanted to write this letter not only for myself but for the other women in this trial, and the countless others that may have been afraid to come forward. I thought, how could this happen to me? I am so much ... stronger than to let this happen." she said, before realizing that regardless of background, there is a difference between sex and rape. As for Mahbub's actions, the victim said, "that's what predators do."

Mahbub through his attorney Earl Gray, argued for a year in jail and SO treatment, stating that the immigration hold Mahbub has meant that he will be seperated from his brother, young daughter, and mother, who cried throught the proceedings. "I have been blessed with a loving family. I'm sorry to everyone because they had to endure such a hard time ... because of my conduct. I'll never be able to see my daughter, brother and mom ever again." said Mahbub.

Judge Tilsen said in response, "I'm not going to depart from (state sentencing) guidelines because it's going to be hard on your family," and Ella Friendt, a juror on the case, said "To me, it was a gut-wrenching case. It was very hard being a mother, to see what his mother was going through. But I also have a daughter ... and he was a predator."

Tracy, CA physician settles for millions in patient molestation cases - sentenced to 3 years imprisonment

(Original Post 2-7-10)
Peter Chi, a Livermore, CA plastic suregeon who practiced in Tracy, CA, has settled a lawsuit for $1.8 million filed by 37 female patients who alleged that they were groped and fondled by him at his practice, according to Stewart Tabak, the attorney for some of the victims. Tabak said that he and other attorneys reached the settlement because "It would be better to resolve it now." Chi's insurance company, Evaston Insurance, is trying to revoke his policy for criminal acts, not covered under the policy.

Chi, a Livermore resident, was the medical director of Beauty Renewed Laser Skin Center at 1770 N. Tracy Blvd. He was first charged in February 2009 after eight women filed reports with Tracy police. More women came forward after the investigation became public. The incidents are alleged to have occurred from May 2007 to January 2008.

The criminal case against Chi, 46, is still ongoing. He has pleaded not guilty to 51 counts of sexual battery, 15 counts of sexual penetration with a foreign object while the victim was unconscious and one count of committing a lewd act upon a child. One of Chi's accusers was 15 at the time of the alleged molestation.

Chi's trial is scheduled to start October 25. He's currently free on $500,000 bail and has surrendered his passport and medical license to authorities.

(Update 4-13-11) Chi was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment and a lifetime on the sex offender registry on April 4, 2011. The disgraced physician pled guilty to 36 counts of sexual battery and one dozen of the victims were present in the courtroom. "Renee" said that Chi botched her plastic surgery as well as groped her. "I feel like I was in a major car accident... He mutilated not only my body but my spirit. Today is judgment day."

As for Chi himself, he said just before sentencing,"I accept complete responsibility for my actions, and I am very sorry for the pain and suffering I have caused the victims and their families."   San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Xapuri Villapudua chastized him for "taking advantage of mothers, daughters, and sisters."

Diana Koron, Chi's marketing director between 2004 and 2006 until she said Chi sexually assaulted her, attended Chi's sentencing. “I’m glad it’s over. I wish the sentence would be longer. But I am glad it’s over. I’ve been waiting since 2006 for him to be sentenced. Being in the courtroom yesterday was so emotionally draining....He showed absolutely no remorse whatsoever. He wouldn’t even look at anyone,”she said. Koron was not represented in any of Chi's civil lawsuits or criminal charges.

Suburban Philly doctor sentenced to a month imprisonment, five months house arrest for unwanted advances

Doctor sentenced in indecent assaults on patients

By Kathleen Brady Shea
[Philadelphia]Inquirer Staff Writer

Authorities said a doctor who practiced in Kennett Square and was known for treating Lyme disease had another specialty: making unwanted advances to female patients. Peter Fabulian, 63, of Strasburg, who pleaded guilty in December to two counts of indecent assault, was sentenced Tuesday [March 1, 2011] to one month in prison and five months of electronic home confinement, followed by two years of probation.

"I know I've hurt people; I never meant to hurt people," Fabulian told Chester County Judge David F. Bortner.

The judge said Fabulian should have recognized the consequences of his actions. "He never meant to hurt people. . . . That may be, but he certainly did - very deeply and very seriously," Bortner said. "A lesser sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crimes."

Assistant District Attorney Andrea Cardamone, who sought a six-month jail term, said that after Fabulian was charged with assaulting two women, others came forward. She said that two were within the statute of limitations and that the District Attorney's Office agreed not to file additional charges in exchange for Fabulian's cooperation. She said the agreement also included a provision that the court would hear about the other two cases to show a pattern.

During a hearing that lasted nearly three hours, Cardamone presented two witnesses and read a letter from a third. The women are not being identified by The Inquirer because of the nature of the offenses. Both described Fabulian's sexual overtures as an excruciating breach of trust. The first woman said she had to wait a year and a half for charges to be filed after contacting police because authorities said another victim would bolster her case.

Bortner said Fabulian's sentence would reflect only the two victims in the criminal complaint. He also said he would leave Fabulian's future as a doctor in the hands of the state Board of Osteopathic Medicine. A hearing is scheduled later this month.

Contact staff writer Kathleen Brady Shea at 610-696-3815 or kbrady@phillynews.com.

Former MA state senator admits to groping women, will serve 3 months jail, 5 years probation

(Original Post 6-6-08)
Senator is admitted to psych hospital Marzilli is seeking treatment after arrest

By Steve LeBlanc THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOSTON— A state senator arrested this week on charges of attempting to grope one woman and making lewd comments to a second was admitted to a psychiatric hospital yesterday. State Sen. James J. Marzilli entered the hospital hours after saying he would not seek re-election in the fall. The decision came a day after he was arraigned in Lowell District Court on multiple charges related to the arrest. Marzilli’s lawyer confirmed that he was seeking treatment.
“Senator Marzilli was admitted into a local hospital for treatment for an undisclosed illness this afternoon,” said Marzilli’s lawyer, Terrence Kennedy. A source close to Marzilli said on condition of anonymity that Marzilli was seeking treatment at McLean Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Belmont.

Marzilli, 50, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he tried to grab a woman sexually at a park in Lowell, then fled police, and to charges he made lewd remarks to another woman. Charges against him include disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, assault and battery and obstruction of justice. Marzilli is free on bail and due back in court July 3.

A spokesman for the Middlesex district attorney’s office said investigators were looking into other incidents possibly involving Marzilli, including one last year in Arlington and another in Boston’s Brighton neighborhood two years ago. Investigators also were looking into whether Marzilli was involved in other incidents in Lowell before his arrest.

Last month, Middlesex District Attorney Gerald T. Leone Jr. declined to charge Marzilli after a woman claimed he had touched her inappropriately in April, saying there was insufficient evidence.

Marzilli was arrested Tuesday after a woman told police he approached her while she was sitting on a park bench and tried to grab her crotch. A second woman called authorities after seeing media coverage of Marzilli’s arrest and said Marzilli made lewd comments to her. Kennedy said his client “totally denies” the charges.

(Update 2-23-11) Marzilli was sentenced to three months in jail and probation by Judge Paul Chernoff at Lowell Superior Court yesterday. Marzilli will serve his sentence at the Billerica House of Correction. For the first year of his probation, Marzilli will serve his first year under GPS monitoring and must do 200 hours of community service. A charge of attempted indecent assault and battery was stayed for a year, meaning that if the GPS monitoring goes without any hitches, Marzilli won't have to register as a sex offender.

In the city [of Lowell, MA]on June 3, 2008, for a function at Federal Fabrics-Fibers, Marzilli approached the women both on foot and in a car over the course of four hours, making lewd remarks about their bodies. They, in return, called him a pervert and told him to spend $20 on a hooker.

Middlesex District Attorney Elizabeth Dunigan said that some of the victims are afraid to go to Lowell, MA and that “At the time of his arrest, he was focused on himself, his career, his future. Maybe in time it can be a little bit about what these women lost on the streets of Lowell."

Predatory massage therapist sentenced to 11 years in prison

A Minneapolis massage therapist was ordered to serve 11 years imprisonment and be registered as a predatory sex offender on Valentines Day 2011. Lawrence Martin Valencour, 62, was convicted back in November of four counts of 4th degree criminal sexual conduct at a week long trial presided over by District Judge Thomas Poch. The assaults happened at Apple Valley, MN's A Touch Of Tranquility massage parlor, which has shut down.

In 2008, three women reported to Apple Valley police that Valencour had touched their breasts and genitals and put his genitals in their hands during massages, according to a criminal complaint. Police located three more victims through the business's owner.

The owner, who hired Valencour, base the hiring on the recommendation of a massage school she trusted. The misplaced trust cost her her business and those women their dignity.

Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom, the prosecutor, said, "We're pleased with the lengthy prison term that was handed down today in this case. These types of crimes are extremely traumatic to the victims, whose privacy is directly invaded in a very disturbing way." Backstrom said the 11 years for the 4th degree CSC counts were the maximum prison sentence that could be handed down.

LA county health inspector gets 115 days jail, lifetime SO registration for groping donut shop owner

A Los Angeles County health inspector was sentenced to 115 days in jail, three years probation and lifetime sex offender registration February 3 for groping a Pomona, CA doughnut shop owner. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Brougham meted out the sentence February 3 in a Pomona, CA courtroom. 51 year old Magdy Tawadros was convicted on January 26 after jurors found him guilty of a single sexual battery count.

The groping took place March 24, 2010, at the 45 year old victim's shop, Pixie Donuts. A surveillance camera caught Tawadros grabbing the woman in the back room of her shop and touching her chest as she tried to get away. The victim's civil attorney, Tim McDonough, elaborates on the encounter.

"The first actual assault was a hug, at which point the female store owner distracts him and says, 'I have to look out for the customers,' and she escapes, and after that a second altercation occurs where she's reeled in and of course there's some groping that occurs, and some inappropriate hand touching and things of that nature, and at that point a second escape occurs that then leads on to a third physical altercation. He spends about 15 minutes on the premises asking the female store owner if he can date her, and asks for her phone number and apparently leaves another business card with her in an attempt to solicit her to engage in some sort of encounter with him in the future," said McDonough. The victim went to the police March 29, 2010.

Tawadros, who worked in the West Covina bureau of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, was initially placed on desk duty, but fired on April 14 after the surveillance tape came to light. According to defense attorney Michael Holmes, "Watching (the jury) view the surveillance tape it was clear they were uncomfortable with what happened and I think that was the deciding factor."

It was the second jury trial in the case. The first ended in a mistrial after Deputy District Attorney Lauren Guber failed to give Tawadros' defense attorney an audio recording she made during interviews with the alleged victim and her husband. Deputy District Attorney Daniel Rochmes prosecuted the case to conviction, Gibbons said. Rochmes could not immediately be reached for comment.

The victim impact statement by the woman and her husband said they were "so relieved now that the jury has found Mr. Tawadros guilty... In our view, he has shown no remorse for what he did and he has fabricated a gross public lie intended to prove that he was innocent and to turn the tables on his victims, our family. He used his advantageous position as a county public code enforcer to commit a criminal act while he was on duty."

A $10 million lawsuit has been filed against Tawadros by the victim.

Man charged with forcible sex abuse for nurse groping pleads guilty, gets 6 months

(Original Post 10-11-09)
A man accompanying his wife to a Utah hospital missed the birth of his child because he was being booked for fondling the nurse who took care of his baby's mother.

Adam Jay Manning was charged with forcible sex abuse, a Class 2 felony in Utah, for fondling and grabbing the nurse. The incident started at 3 AM October 9, when Manning brought a pregnant woman in labor to Mackay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, UT. Manning made a comment about how cute the nurse was, but the nurse ignored him, attending to the woman in labor.

Manning, according to Ogden police lieutenant Loren Draper, told the nurse that something was wrong with her neck, which was a pretense for him to grab her breast and fondle her neck. The nurse pushed Manning away, moved to the other side of the wheelchair, and reported the incident to police, leading to charges.

Manning pleaded guilty in February 2008 to shoplifting, a class B misdemeanor, and was sentenced to a year of probation that included classes at New Horizons, a mental health and substance abuse treatment center. In June, Manning pleaded guilty to criminal mischief, also a class B misdemeanor. He was sentenced to fines and a year of probation, which he allegedly violated -- a judge issued a warrant for his arrest Sept. 14, court records show.

Draper said it was unclear whether the woman Manning brought to the hospital was a girlfriend or wife, but one thing was abundantly clear - "Obviously, he wasn't there for the birth of the child."

(Update 9-4-10) Last month, Manning received 6 months in jail after pleading guilty June 15 to attempted forcible sex abuse. 2nd District Judge Scott Hadley sentenced Manning on August 10, 2010 to serve the term in the Weber County Jail, and ordered Manning undergo sex, mental health, and substance abuse counseling.

Defense attorney Randall Marshall argued that Manning's action was a rare situation accompanied by a blackout, which Manning is prone to suffer because of brain damage from a Jeep accident 10 years ago.

"He touched her over the clothing. There was no violence, no force," Marshall said. "That doesn't come close to some of the sexual offenses we see ... 180 days in jail seems a little heavy." Marshall asked for 120 days, noting Manning's lack of prior similar crimes, saying he touched the woman twice "and that was the end of it."

Arguing the other side of the same coin, Deputy Weber County Attorney Branden Miles said "precisely because there was a blackout, we don't know that it won't happen again. He continues to pose a danger until it's figured out."

One thing which won't be blacked out is Manning's listing in the sex offender registry.

Montgomery Township high school teacher sentenced to county prison for abuse of homeroom student

A former Pennsylvania teacher has received a 1 to 23 month prison sentence in the Montgomery County (PA) prison for having sex with a 17 year old boy in her class. 37 year old Heather Zeo plead guilty to misdemeanor corruption of minors charges in exchange for a 1 to 23 month sentence at the county prison.

Zeo allegedly initiated the affair with the teenage boy by sending him a “friend request” from her Facebook page at the end of April 2009, according to court papers. He and another 17-year-old boy communicated with Zeo on the Internet social networking site. Both were in her 11th grade homeroom class, according to DA Risa Vetri Ferman.

Though the other student allegedly had conversations of a sexual nature with Zeo, he told investigators he didn’t have sex with her. The student involved in the affair allegedly “made out” with the woman a half-dozen times in her homeroom class, E-139, during the second and fourth periods when no one else was there, according to the affidavit. At some point during the affair, Zeo told him that rumors were circulating about her and another student.

Despite the rumors, Zeo and the boy continued their relationship. During the second week of May, 2009, they had a heavy petting session at a Montgomery Township strip mall. During a second meeting a few days later at the same place, Zeo and her victim had full sexual intercourse.
 
Because Pennsylvania's age of consent is normally 16, Ferman explained that Zeo was prosecuted because she abused her position of trust in the community. “The big deal is we’re dealing with a teacher, and teacher is in a unique position of trust and authority in both the school and community. We send our children to school to learn math, science and reading, but we don’t expect them to be taught in adult areas. We don’t expect them to be taught about sexual relationships.”

Massage therapist sentenced to 4 years 2 months for groping patients

An Oregon City, OR massage therapist was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for fondling vulnerable women. Rick McDaniel, the owner of Soulful Massage Therapy, plead guilty to 2 counts of second-degree sexual abuse in Clackamas County Circuit Court Tuesday, August 10. Originally, McDaniel was charged with 17 counts of 2nd degree sex assault involving 13 women, but most of the counts were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. After a victim videotaped McDaniel admitting the groping and blaming it on sex addiction, he was indicted in March this year.

McDaniel selected particularly vulnerable women -- one had leukemia, another had been raped years earlier, said prosecutor Bill Golden. The women need someone caring to talk to as they tried to "regain a sense of well being and balance," Golden said. Instead, they met a man who used the encounters "for his own gratification," Golden said.

Four victims were present during McDaniel's sentence. The former rape survivor said, "Over time, I opened my heart and revealed my personal history.You can't understand the pain I feel." A second victim stated, "I can't get back what I lost. Now I have hate inside me. You're a very sick person. You're not a man, you're an animal."

After McDaniel had tried to apologize to his victims, Circuit Judge Ronald D. Thom prevented him from doing so. "I think that would be highly inappropriate given the circumstances," said Judge Thom.

Former sheriff's deputy gets probation for groping of 18 year old at Halloween party

A Rock County Sheriff's deputy was sentenced to 30 days in jail with work release (or Huber) privileges Monday, June 28 in a Rock County, WI courtroom. Steven L. Stenulson, a 39 year old man from Janesville, WI, was accused of sexually assaulting an 18 year old woman at a party November 1, 2009.

Milton police were called to the house in the 500 block of College Street at 2:46 a.m. after a sexual assault at a Halloween party was reported. A Milton woman told police she was drinking and got sick. She went to an upstairs bedroom to sleep and was awakened by Stenulson who was in bed with her allegedly attempting to grope her.

After the incident Stenulson was placed on administrative leave. Rock County Sheriff Robert Spoden asked for and received Stenulson’s resignation from the sheriff’s office on Nov. 18.

Stenulson plead guilty to 4th degree sexual assault, a misdemeanor after initial charges of 3rd degree sex assault. He was ordered to complete sex offender and alcohol treatment and counseling and have no contact with the victim.

Hospital groper sentenced to 16 to 36 months in prison

A hospital groper was sentenced to a prison term of 16 months to 3 years for groping a woman he didn't know in a Lansing, MI hospital. 52 year old Rochester Terrell, a felon with prior convictions for retail fraud and posession of a gun by a felon, was sentenced as a habitual offender Wednesday, June 23 in Ingham County Circuit Court.

It was the afternoon of March 4, the woman recalled. She had gone to the emergency room because of a blood sugar problem and eventually was transferred to a private room. She was starting to drift off to sleep when 52-year-old Rochester Terrell - wearing a leather jacket over a collared shirt and dress pants - walked up to her bed and offered her the gold-and-yellow box of chocolates. "I told him, 'no, I'm a diabetic,' " she recalled.

Discreetly, so he wouldn't see, she tried to press the button that would call a nurse. But instead, the television changed channels. "I kept asking him who he wanted to see, and he said: 'Just anybody,' " the woman said.Eventually, the woman said Terrell touched her inappropriately and then tried to lift up her dress. At that point, she didn't care if he saw her press the button to call the nurse.

The victim told the nurse to "get in the room real quick." Terrell looked at the victim and asked "Why?" before packing up his stuff and leaving. Hospital security apprehended Terrell and handed him over to police.

The incident has called into question Sparrow Hospital's security.  A task force has recommended changes to the hospital's procedures. Hospital spokesman John Berg said "We're asking associates to ask questions, ask people if they are visiting, to check in and get a visitor's badge."

"Our security has a fairly active presence. The question is, how do we improve that?"

Van driver pleads guilty to groping developmentally disabled passenger

A 67 year old van driver plead guilty to 4th degree criminal sexual conduct for groping a disabled woman with an IQ of 49 on February 23, 2009. Minnesota City, MN resident David Michael Taylor plead guilty to the 4th degree count Wednesday, June 23.

At the time of the incident, Taylor was a driver for Winona ORC Industries, a company that provides job opportunities to disabled area residents. ORC officials fired Taylor after an internal investigation. He admitted Wednesday that he kissed the woman and groped her breast. The woman told police she twice asked Taylor to stop.

Taylor admitted that he had sexual contact with the woman, but claimed that it was consensual, and admitted to police he “knew that (the victim) wasn’t all quite there.” His counsel, J.P. Plachecki, said the victim considered Taylor to be her "boyfriend." Taylor called the conduct with the victim "a little tryst" at his plea hearing.

Judge Mary Leahy will sentence Taylor later this summer, but before September 15. He'll be required to register with the state of Minnesota as a predatory offender.

Liberty University professor sentenced to 6 months for groping student in office

A former Liberty University professor was sentenced to 6 months in jail and 5 years suspended by a Lynchburg, VA judge Friday for molesting a 21 year old student of his. Joshua Young Moon, 45 and of Durham, NC, molested a then 21 year old student April 21 while she fell asleep during a massage in his office. Moon, her statistics professor, massaged her to relieve injuries suffered during a car crash.

Before being sentenced, Moon apologized to the woman, her family and his family and friends. Moon’s wife offered tearful testimony on his behalf during the hearing, saying she was still proud of him. She staggered when trying to return to her seat and had to be helped by a deputy.

Moon, 45, of Durham, N.C., said he did not intend to hurt the woman, and asked for forgiveness. He said his only hope now would be to live the rest of his life as a useful member of society. “I wish I could go back and do things differently,” he said.

His defense attorney, Randy Trost, said the "socially naive and sexually inexperienced" professor misinterpreted the woman's massage request and help she got on exams as welcoming the groping. He said that his client's psychological testing indicated a low likelihood of further sexual assaults.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Rebecca Wetzel said that Moon was a sexual predator because he used his influence to do the same thing to two victims present in the courtroom. "This defendant is a minister and held a position of trust and authority at Liberty University." She also said that Moon acted out the bondage and massage porn he stored and viewed on his computer at Liberty University. "The defendant took advantage of the fact he had a sleeping woman in his office to act out a pornographic act,” said Wetzel.

Judge Mosby Perrow ordered Moon, who was behind bars after pleading guilty on January 22, to pay for the woman's counseling, serve 2 years of supervised probation, and register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender treatment. He was also orderd to have no contact with the victim or children outside of his family. “If I could give you five years for what you’ve done to your wife, I would give you five years for that, too,”  he said.

Bartender sentenced to probation, sex offender treatment for following, groping customer

On Wednesday, February 17, Norwalk Superior Court Judge Bruce Hudock sentenced a former South Norwalk, CT bartender to a suspended 2 year sentence and three years probation for following a female customer home and forcibly touching and groping her breasts on October 28, 2008. The man stopped his assault only after the victim began to cry.

John Flavin, a 46-year-old former Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar, 63 North Main St., received a suspended jail sentence of two years and three years of probation. The sentence was approved by the victim, according to the prosecuting attorney.

At court on Wednesday, the victim detailed the effect that the incident had on her life, stating that she experiences anxiety attacks and persistant nightmares.

Judge Hudock admonished Flavin, telling him "The fact is, Mr. Flavin, that you have traumatized this young woman to the point that you have ... traumatically changed her life. There is little doubt in my mind that it will take a long time for her to deal with the consequences of your actions."

Just as the criminal act changed the victim's life, the sex offender treatment Flavin was sentenced to was meant to do the same to Flavin, according to Judge Hudock. "Just as you have changed the life of the victim, the sex offender treatment will change your life dramatically."

Prosecutors disappointed that fondler of woman received only probation

A young man who sexually abuse his friend's mother after a party with friends to celebrate their impending college experience has been sentenced to 30 days in jail, 2 years probation and sex offender registration. Douglas County District Judge J Russell Derr sentenced Camden Stutheit to those terms after he plead guilty to 3rd degree sexual assault, a misdemeanor in Nebraska, for the crime, which took place in August 2008.

Stutheit, then 19, Evan M. Block, Eric D. Jones and several other teenagers — most of them Millard West High School graduates — had gathered at the victim's home to party on the weekend before they were to report for the first semester at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The woman arrived home and, angry that her son had thrown a party, kicked everyone out.

After lingering outside for a while, Block, Stutheit and Jones decided to sneak into a bedroom of the woman's house, authorities say. Testimony and police interviews indicated all three took turns fondling the woman's breasts — and Stutheit admitted penetrating her with a finger.

Block was acquitted of first-degree sexual assault charges after a weeklong trial in May. Jones testified against Block and wasn't charged.

His attorney, Alan Stoler, said Stutheit is remorseful for his actions and has made changes. Stutheit, who was drunk that night, hasn't had a drop since, Stoler said.

Stoler said the probation office tested him to see if he had any sexual addictions — and determined that he does not. Put simply, Stoler said, Stutheit's behavior is something that will not be repeated. The probation office recommended he be placed on probation. “I'm very comfortable in saying I don't expect to ever see Camden Stutheit anywhere near this sort of situation for the rest of his life,” Stoler said.

Stutheit, in his second year at UNL, has been diligent in his studies and his job, Stoler said. The judge allowed Stutheit to report to the Douglas County Jail to begin his 30-day term on Dec. 21, just after his first semester. “I just wanted to say I (am) extremely sorry to the victim,” Stutheit said. “I'm extremely remorseful, and nothing like this will ever happen again.”

Judge Derr told Stutheit that “The facts in this case are fairly egregious. I'm very cognizant of the victim in this case. On the other hand, you have absolutely no record.” Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said the outcome of this case is "disturbing" and that his office failed to go for a felony conviction on the guilty plea. "The results are bothersome. The level of responsibility and the accountability that they were held to aren't enough for what was done to this woman.”

The victim, who said that the case “stirs up too much in me,” did not attend Stutheit's sentencing. “I've got to put this behind me, because it's really affected me. But at least somebody got something.” In response to her case, a Nebraska lawmaker has filed a bill making sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult a felony. That should be done. No one should be able to get away with what was done to me.”

Groping police officer pleads no contest to sexual abuse of women

A former San Leandro police officer has plead no contest to two counts of false imprisonment - a felony and a misdemeanor count - for groping two women while on the job. Forty-five year old Greg Cannedy was sentenced to 6 months home detention and 18 months probation by Judge Kevin Murphy of Alameda County Superior Court.

The misdemeanor charge came in the case of Jennifer Acuna, who Cannady abused while she was in her kitchen back in September 2006. He leaned over her body, began to kiss her, then put his hand over her crotch. The felony charge came after Cannady repeatedly showed up at Starlah Burke's house between May and December 2005, asking for sex, culminating with the groping of Burke during a traffic stop. Acuna and Burke were awarded damages of over $90,000 by the city of San Leandro.

Cannedy's attorney Michael Rains said that he believed that the allegations against Burks had no merit.

Disgraced Sacramento divorce lawyer gets 1 1/2 years for fondling clients

A former Sacramento divorce layer was sentenced to 1 1/2 years in prison, 5 years probation, and lifetime sex offender registration yesterday for fondling his female clients under the guise of helping them medically. Gary Appelblatt, 57, plead no contest to four counts of sexual battery and a fifth count of improper touching in exchange for 9 other sexual battery counts being dropped and a maximum sentence of 18 months. Judge Gary E. Ransom sentenced the disgraced former lawyer in Sacramento Superior Court. Appelblatt tried to ask for a few days of free time to get his affairs in order, but Judge Ransom ordered him directly to prison.

Sacramento County sheriff's detectives launched their investigation of Appelblatt in February 2008 when a woman told them he made her take off her tank top and then reached into her pants during a divorce consultation. Appelblatt, she said, had a pharmacy degree on his office wall. She said he checked her breathing with a stethoscope and pounded her knees with a rubber mallet, then conducted something along the lines of a breast exam.

A month later, the detectives arrested Appelblatt. A TV report of the arrest brought out other victims who told investigators about similar experiences with Appelblatt that dated back to 2003.

Another victim stated that Appelbaum offered to reduce her legal bill by $5000 if she would have sex with him. All victims stated that the lawyer told them not to tell anyone about the assaults. 

At the time of the plea deal on August 17, Deputy District Attorney Keith Hill said "I think to me the most important thing is that lawyers are in a position of trust with their clients. I think he violated that, and I think he deserves the punishment he is going to get."

Hill went on to explain what he and the victims were hoping to accomplish with the no contest plea. "Realistically, when you take it all into consideration, it's a lot for these victims to go through again. You've always got to consider the victims. What was allowable under the law, this will be an appropriate sentence, and I hope and trust the judge will give him the maximum at the time of sentencing, and he indicated on the record this morning that that is the likely outcome."

Hill said he spoke to all of the victims last week and that they approved of the plea deal. "They were all willing to come forward and testify at trial, but they are relieved to not have to do that and to know that he's admitting guilt and that he will be punished for it."

At sentencing, Hill said that the use of the phony medical certificate and doctors' tools, as well as the fact that divorce clients have been through "terrible emotional" times just befor hiring him as a client, showed "planning and sophistication." "It was a complete legal and moral breakdown on his part. This is something he did for years, something he did over and over and over, to victim after victim after victim."
 
Tom Johnson, Appelblatt's defense lawyer, said his client, a practicing lawer for the past 2 decades, "stands before you utterly humiliated as a person and as an attorney." Echoing this, Appelblatt himself said that he had suffered from unaddressed mental issues and expected to be disbarred later this month. "I've lost my livelihood which I have loved for the last 20 years and (am) facing loss of my freedom."
 
Three of his victims also appared in court. One victim said that "You preyed upon my life when I was most weak and most vulnerable..."You robbed me of my dignity and self-worth." A second victim stated that "I only hope Mr. Appelblatt never has the opportunity to get his hands on anybody again."  All of them said that Appelblatt violated their trust, took advantage of their vulnerability, and made them suspicious of professionals.

Masseur with property crime history accused of fondling customer

A masseur with a history of property crimes, including 1st degree burglary, was accused of fondling and molesting a long time customer of the massage business that he worked for. The 35 year old victim claimed that Joshua Shane Beach, 25, fondled her breasts, genitals, and performed oral sex on her during the 1 1/2 hour "massage" section.

Pam Henrichs, Beach's manager, said that she wasn't awars of his criminal history, but appeared to be a legitimate - and popular masseur.  "He's only been here a month and was doing good. He had a number of repeat (customers), including her. I was impressed with him and his knowledge about massage." The victim was a client of the facility for 12 years.

During questioning by detectives, Beach admitted fondling and performing oral sex with the alleged victim, apologizing to the woman for making her "uncomfortable."

Trooper allegedly fondles woman after DUI arrest

A former Maryland state trooper was charged with sexual assault Wednesday, September 2 after he sexually abused a woman in his custody for DUI. Marlon E. Iglesias, 42, of Montgomery County backed up a Montgomery County patrol officer who pulled her over on southbound I-270 for tailgating and suspicion of DUI. After Iglesias took over the stop from the county officer, the woman alleges that he squeezed her thigh in his patrol car, and kissed her when they went back to the Maryland State Police barracks in Rockville.

The woman reported the attack in May. Iglesias' police powers had been suspended in January because of a personnel issue, according to state police. A member of the force since 1994, he resigned in April, police said. Iglesias was charged with three counts of third-degree sexual offense, two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense and one count of second-degree assault. He was released from the Montgomery County Detention Center after posting a $30,000 bond.

Fourth degree sexual offense refers to nonconsensual sexual contact (not intercourse - that's 3rd degree sexual offense). It is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of a year in jail and/or a $100 fine. 2nd degree assault is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in jail and/or a $2500 fine. Sex offender registration is optional.

Ex Pennsylvania judge gets 2 years probation for fondling 18 year old

Former Blair County Judge Richard E. Behrens was sentenced to 2 years probation for fondling a woman after open pleading (aka "no contest") to indecent assault of an 18 year old woman, Tuesday, August 18. County District Attorney Richard Consiglio did not make a sentencing recommendation. Due to a conflict of interest, Senior Judge John K. Reilly of Clearfield County imposed the sentence. The maximum sentence for indecent assault in Pennsylvania is 2 years in prison.

In April 2008, on the opening night of the baseball season, Behrens took the 18-year-old high school senior and another girl to an Altoona Curve game. After the game, Behrens dropped off one girl and then pulled to the side of Decker Hollow Road in Snyder Township and began fondling his young passenger, police said.

She reported the incident to state police, and within days, Aungst, then an investigator at the Hollidaysburg barracks, interviewed Behrens. Behrens called the girl the next day, stating he was concerned about her, police said.Since the incident, Behrens said he has been attending counseling sessions with a Cambria County minister and at Family Resources of Pittsburgh.

Behrens began the counseling programs before criminal charges were filed, said his defense attorney, Terry Despoy. "I really have to commend his efforts at dealing with this problem," Despoy said after the hearing.

Court papers also stated that after the incident, "I know you must think that I'm the worst hypocrite in the world. ... I feel that way. I failed my wife, I failed my children and I failed my family."

The victim, now a college student in California, stated that she needed counseling and that the fondling "continues to haunt me. This is going to be a process of healing no matter where I am."
According to investigating state trooper Charles Aungst, the woman wanted guilt acknowledged more that a jail sentence.

This is not the first incident involving Behrens and a young person. In 1986, he was charged with indecent assault of his stepdaughter, but charges were dropped after the stepdaughter refused to testify. Behrens also faces mandatory reporting of his conviction to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania since the maximum jail term for indecent assault is more than a year.