Teachers & Trash Education is a blog which deals with teacher/student sex (as well as other issues). A post, written today, explains how teachers who claim that they are in "love" with their students are really taking advantage of the student for their own ends. The blogger behind this wonderful resource has a quote that explains what teacher/student sex is really about:
"To exploit someone is to make use of him or her for one's own ends by playing on a weakness or vulnerability. Those with power have the inherent potential to exploit those without power. A manipulative educator can exploit a student's respect, innocence, naivete, need for affection, insecurity, or low self-concept." - Robert J. Shoop, "Sexual Exploitation in Schools: How to Spot It and Stop It." p 7
Exploitation does not occur solely with teacher/student sexual encounters, minors, fiduciary relationships, or with charges which can lead to a SO registry listing. It is not just teachers and pedophiles who manipulate someone's need for affection or someone who'll think they understand them. It is not just minors who are used then discarded. Intimate sexual exploitation occurs with adults as well. Power and control is also the issue on the other side of 18.
My father has an acquaintance, Hugo, who did just that. He has married literally a dozen times Christian women who believed in saving themselves for marriage. Since he could'nt get the goods without marrying, he married the women, had sex, then divorced 6 months to a year later. Hugo exploited the women's Christian beliefs, need for affection, and repect for marriage by using the women's Christian beliefs to gain sexual access, then run. Hugo's lack of morality vs. the women's morality is another power difference he used against them. Hugo is in his late 70s . He won't be charged with bigamy, statutory rape, or other crimes because he followed the letter of the law, but not the spirit.
That is because sexual exploitation of adults without force is not a crime under the usual conditions and those exploiters are smart enough to stay away from minors, drugs/alcohol, and/or force - a fact teachers who have sex with their students don't appreciate.
With teachers, even if the sentence is probation and a SO listing, that's still a criminal history. Parents can still look him up on the SO registry. He still has restrictions from kids. With all of the new restrictions, and Jessica's law, even I would stay away from kids without their parental supervision.
If an exploiter did the same thing to a 19 year old that would earn him (or her) a SO label if done to someone who is 15, there would be no (criminal) consequences, the exploiter could discard his victim for a new one, and as long as he stayed above 18, away from force, and away from drugs/alcohol, he has legal leeway to do as he wished with other young women (or men).
I encountered such a man back in late 2004, who chose street youths between 17 and 29. Convieniently, 17 is the AOC in Newburgh, NY, where he lived, and sexual relationships with over 17s made without force or a fiduciary relationship is legal. He always tried to guide the conversation to sex, and always told me how he was involved with males under 30 but over 17. I eventually stopped chatting with him.
With a professor and a college student, there are no laws against such conduct criminally, and the access and trust he has is nearly the same as with HS students. Only a sexual harassment lawsuit deters the professor. Romantic relationships and marriages are based partially on sexual access. Power differences don't just apply with adults and kids - they apply with more powerful and less powerful adults. An exploiter can get off scot free criminally if he uses the power differences among adults to keep the letter of our laws, but not the spirit.
This story is about a woman who exploited military men's need for attention and affection into bigamous relationships with five men. Without kids, force, drugs, or a fiduciary relationship, there is little chance for multiple years in prison. She will not face a listing on the SO registry, even though there is obvious sexual involvement. She has chosen her victims well.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Baytown Stalker, male on male rapist, convicted in Texas
Keith Hill, 20, known as the Baytown Stalker for attacks on other young men around his age, was convicted of aggravated sexual assault on a teenager for a May 2006 attack. Jurors in State District Judge Don Stricklin’s court took only 1.5 hours to convict Hill. Two more victims testified in the punishment phase.
After the guilty verdict, Hill's mother, Sherry, a teacher, and his father, Phillip, a petrochemical worker, huddled with other family members, hugging and choking back tears. They have declined comment since Hill's arrest Feb. 7 at their two-story brick home in Baytown's upscale Tanglewilde subdivision.
Hill was the first serial rapist of males profiled on America’s Most Wanted, and targeted white males around his age with a slender build, medium size, and who lived at home with their families in Baytown area back in 2006. He averaged a sexual attack every 1 to 2 months.
Hill was tried for sexual assault of only one of the five alleged victims, but two others testified in the punishment phase. Hill could get anywhere from probation to life.
The incident where the victim Hill was convicted of raping is shown below.
Jurors in the State District Judge Don Strickland's court are only hearing testimony in the case involving a Robert E. Lee High school graduate, who was 17 when accosted in his driveway on May 18, 2006, in Chaparral Village.
The Baytown teen, now 19 and who is not being named due to the nature of the incident, told jurors his attacker kidnapped, sexually assaulted and pistol-whipped him. He also thought his attacker was going to kill him.
Hill stated that he made the decision to "capture him" by using a "silver pistol" and some "zip ties" for handcuffs. He also opted to use his own car in the abduction instead of the teen's car after "talking to God," he stated.
After forcing the teen to perform oral sex, Hill stated he struck the teen in the head with his fists a few times.
"I was mad at him for doing what I told him to do," Hill said in the statement.
A Harris County DNA analyst testified that the teen's shirt had semen stains that were linked to Hill.
A 20 year old victim who was attacked November 30, 2006 heard a noise downstairs, and when he returned to his bedroom, Hill, with his T-shirt pulled over his head, attacked.
Then, he said, his attacker led him out of the house where his mother and brothers were asleep in other rooms. The victim, barefoot and wearing only boxer shorts, was taken to an isolated wooded area.
The attacker, then holding a knife that slightly cut into the victim's throat, made him lie on the ground.
"That's when I knew his intention was to rape me," he said. They struggled after the victim refused to perform oral sex.
"He picks me up and slams my head into a tree, three or four times," he testified, adding that he was then forced to walk farther into the woods. The victim said his attacker warned him that he might perform other sex acts if he didn't cooperate.
But again they struggled, and the victim broke free and ran home. Photos were introduced that show bloody scrapes and scratches all over his body. A week later, while driving out of his subdivision, the victim spotted Hill in another car, he testified.
"He's wearing sunglasses and pulling his (hood) up, acting suspicious," the victim said. He pursued the car as it sped away and called the police.
Hill's car was found later that day in the police parking lot where he had gone to pay a parking ticket.
A 3rd victim was attacked July 7, 2006 by Hill. The Baytown Stalker pointed a gun at him, tied him up, then searched the house for money. When this victim tried to escape, the attacker threw him up against the door and demanded oral sex. "You're going to do something for me now."
Again the two fought, and this time the victim said his attacker taped his nose and mouth shut with duct tape. The victim, unable to breathe, passed out, he said. He then awoke to find his attacker kicking him in the head, poking him with a knife and telling him to "get up." He said the attacker then fled.
(Update 1-21-08) Hill was sentenced to 99 years in prison, with 35 years to serve before parole, for the Baytown rapes.
Keith Hill, found guilty of the assault Tuesday, confessed in a written statement to police to being the Baytown stalker who attacked five young men in 2006. As part of his sentence, he must also pay a $10,000 fine.
Hill, 20, stood solemnly as the jury's sentence was read by State District Judge Don Stricklin. Because Hill had no prior criminal record, jurors could have sentenced him to as little as probation for his assault on one of the five victims.
Prosecutors now plan to visit with the other victims before deciding whether to proceed on the remaining kidnapping, robbery and sexual assault charges.
After Hill was sentenced Thursday, the father of one of the five victims agreed to speak for all the victims' families.
"My heart goes out to the parents of Keith Hill. I hold them totally blameless for what happened," he began, his voice cracking. "The jury had a job to do, and they did it. The streets will be safer now."
According to Hill's statement to investigators, he stalked his victims as they left jobs or stores. Investigators also found evidence on Hill's computer that he had looked at his victims' MySpace pages and gotten maps and telephone numbers to their homes.
Testimony showed Hill ambushed two victims from their driveways, abducted two more by knocking on their front doors and pointing a gun at them, and kidnapping the final one by picking the lock to his house and hiding under his bed.
Victims told in their testimony of being blindfolded, handcuffed, robbed and sometimes beaten while demands were made for sexual favors.
After the guilty verdict, Hill's mother, Sherry, a teacher, and his father, Phillip, a petrochemical worker, huddled with other family members, hugging and choking back tears. They have declined comment since Hill's arrest Feb. 7 at their two-story brick home in Baytown's upscale Tanglewilde subdivision.
Hill was the first serial rapist of males profiled on America’s Most Wanted, and targeted white males around his age with a slender build, medium size, and who lived at home with their families in Baytown area back in 2006. He averaged a sexual attack every 1 to 2 months.
Hill was tried for sexual assault of only one of the five alleged victims, but two others testified in the punishment phase. Hill could get anywhere from probation to life.
The incident where the victim Hill was convicted of raping is shown below.
Jurors in the State District Judge Don Strickland's court are only hearing testimony in the case involving a Robert E. Lee High school graduate, who was 17 when accosted in his driveway on May 18, 2006, in Chaparral Village.
The Baytown teen, now 19 and who is not being named due to the nature of the incident, told jurors his attacker kidnapped, sexually assaulted and pistol-whipped him. He also thought his attacker was going to kill him.
Hill stated that he made the decision to "capture him" by using a "silver pistol" and some "zip ties" for handcuffs. He also opted to use his own car in the abduction instead of the teen's car after "talking to God," he stated.
After forcing the teen to perform oral sex, Hill stated he struck the teen in the head with his fists a few times.
"I was mad at him for doing what I told him to do," Hill said in the statement.
A Harris County DNA analyst testified that the teen's shirt had semen stains that were linked to Hill.
The teen told jurors he was accosted when he went to his car parked in the driveway. He said the attacker grabbed him, pulled a semiautomatic pistol from his sweatshirt pocket and said, "Let's take a walk."
The attacker marched him to his neighbor's driveway, demanded his wallet and refused to believe he did not have the wallet with him, the teen said. The attacker then secured his wrists, placed duct tape over his eyes, and forced him into the backseat of an SUV.
After driving around some more, the attacker stopped and got in the backseat.
"You're going to have to pay for not having any money," the teen quoted his kidnapper as saying. The attacker then grabbed the teen's hair, put a gun to his head and demanded oral sex.
He said afterward, he thought his attacker struck the back of his head with the butt of the gun.
After another short drive, the teen said his attacker cut the restraints and told the teen to "get out fast."
A 20 year old victim who was attacked November 30, 2006 heard a noise downstairs, and when he returned to his bedroom, Hill, with his T-shirt pulled over his head, attacked.
Then, he said, his attacker led him out of the house where his mother and brothers were asleep in other rooms. The victim, barefoot and wearing only boxer shorts, was taken to an isolated wooded area.
The attacker, then holding a knife that slightly cut into the victim's throat, made him lie on the ground.
"That's when I knew his intention was to rape me," he said. They struggled after the victim refused to perform oral sex.
"He picks me up and slams my head into a tree, three or four times," he testified, adding that he was then forced to walk farther into the woods. The victim said his attacker warned him that he might perform other sex acts if he didn't cooperate.
But again they struggled, and the victim broke free and ran home. Photos were introduced that show bloody scrapes and scratches all over his body. A week later, while driving out of his subdivision, the victim spotted Hill in another car, he testified.
"He's wearing sunglasses and pulling his (hood) up, acting suspicious," the victim said. He pursued the car as it sped away and called the police.
Hill's car was found later that day in the police parking lot where he had gone to pay a parking ticket.
A 3rd victim was attacked July 7, 2006 by Hill. The Baytown Stalker pointed a gun at him, tied him up, then searched the house for money. When this victim tried to escape, the attacker threw him up against the door and demanded oral sex. "You're going to do something for me now."
Again the two fought, and this time the victim said his attacker taped his nose and mouth shut with duct tape. The victim, unable to breathe, passed out, he said. He then awoke to find his attacker kicking him in the head, poking him with a knife and telling him to "get up." He said the attacker then fled.
(Update 1-21-08) Hill was sentenced to 99 years in prison, with 35 years to serve before parole, for the Baytown rapes.
Keith Hill, found guilty of the assault Tuesday, confessed in a written statement to police to being the Baytown stalker who attacked five young men in 2006. As part of his sentence, he must also pay a $10,000 fine.
Hill, 20, stood solemnly as the jury's sentence was read by State District Judge Don Stricklin. Because Hill had no prior criminal record, jurors could have sentenced him to as little as probation for his assault on one of the five victims.
Prosecutors now plan to visit with the other victims before deciding whether to proceed on the remaining kidnapping, robbery and sexual assault charges.
After Hill was sentenced Thursday, the father of one of the five victims agreed to speak for all the victims' families.
"My heart goes out to the parents of Keith Hill. I hold them totally blameless for what happened," he began, his voice cracking. "The jury had a job to do, and they did it. The streets will be safer now."
According to Hill's statement to investigators, he stalked his victims as they left jobs or stores. Investigators also found evidence on Hill's computer that he had looked at his victims' MySpace pages and gotten maps and telephone numbers to their homes.
Testimony showed Hill ambushed two victims from their driveways, abducted two more by knocking on their front doors and pointing a gun at them, and kidnapping the final one by picking the lock to his house and hiding under his bed.
Victims told in their testimony of being blindfolded, handcuffed, robbed and sometimes beaten while demands were made for sexual favors.
Friday, January 18, 2008
York, PA man pleads no contest to rape
Scott Allen Yohn, 36, pleaded no-contest to a single count of sexual assault. Yohn used a knife to kidnapp a woman from near the York Police Department last March. Initially, he faced York County Common Pleas Court. Initially, he also faced rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and false imprisonment charges.
No contest plea to sex assault, by the York Daily Record, has more.
The woman told police she was walking through a lot at West King and South Beaver streets about 11 p.m. March 30 when Yohn threatened her with an object in his pocket. She said he placed a bandanna over her eyes and led her to a nearby building and forced her to climb the fire escape into an apartment.
There, the woman said, Yohn ordered her to strip and repeatedly sexually assaulted her. After hours of abuse, the woman said, she attempted to escape by running toward and opening a door. She said that the door did not lead out of the apartment and that Yohn caught her and choked her. In the early morning hours of March 31, police said, the woman succeeded in a second escape attempt and ran directly to the city police station. According to police reports, Yohn, when questioned, confirmed the woman had been in his apartment and said they had consensual sex. At York Hospital, where the woman was evaluated, doctors noted injuries to the woman's genitals and marks around her face and neck.
As part of Yohn's plea agreement to the single second-degree felony charge, he will be sentenced to three to six years in prison and lifetime registration with the Pennsylvania State Police in accordance with Megan's Law, senior prosecutor Christopher Moore said Thursday.
The victim aggreed to the sentence resolution, and the mandatory Megan's Law registration requirement. “In the end, it is our decision what to do, but we take heavy account of the victim's position. Sexual assault best fit the crime here.”
No contest plea to sex assault, by the York Daily Record, has more.
The woman told police she was walking through a lot at West King and South Beaver streets about 11 p.m. March 30 when Yohn threatened her with an object in his pocket. She said he placed a bandanna over her eyes and led her to a nearby building and forced her to climb the fire escape into an apartment.
There, the woman said, Yohn ordered her to strip and repeatedly sexually assaulted her. After hours of abuse, the woman said, she attempted to escape by running toward and opening a door. She said that the door did not lead out of the apartment and that Yohn caught her and choked her. In the early morning hours of March 31, police said, the woman succeeded in a second escape attempt and ran directly to the city police station. According to police reports, Yohn, when questioned, confirmed the woman had been in his apartment and said they had consensual sex. At York Hospital, where the woman was evaluated, doctors noted injuries to the woman's genitals and marks around her face and neck.
As part of Yohn's plea agreement to the single second-degree felony charge, he will be sentenced to three to six years in prison and lifetime registration with the Pennsylvania State Police in accordance with Megan's Law, senior prosecutor Christopher Moore said Thursday.
The victim aggreed to the sentence resolution, and the mandatory Megan's Law registration requirement. “In the end, it is our decision what to do, but we take heavy account of the victim's position. Sexual assault best fit the crime here.”
Rape victim encourages other victims to come forward
53-year-old Bucky Joe Proffitt, who worked as a home health care aide for an elderly woman, was sentenced to between 10 and 25 years in prison for raping her daughter in law, Linda Williams, back in the summer of 2005.
According to WVVA's Rape Victim Speaks Out:
Williams says, "What he did, he's going to pay for, it's not right."Unfortunately, Linda is not alone in a case like this.In the last decade, more than 300 forcible rapes have been reported each year in West-Virginia.Worse than that, more than one-thousand rapes are reported each year in Virginia.
Licensed Psychologist Susan Smith says, "This happens not only to women, but also to boys, young men, the elderly."Sexual assault is one of the most under-reported crimes, with more than half still being left unreported."If it happens to you, report it, or if you don't it's going to make your life a living, awful bad place," says Williams.
After reporting the assault to police, victims should be examined at a hospital so that evidence can be collected.They then have to begin coping with the myriad of effects that rape can cause."Shock, feelings of loss of control, sleep disturbance, appetite disturbance, feelings of self-blame, questioning of your own judgment, your own perceptions," are some of the side effects according to Smith.
According to WVVA's Rape Victim Speaks Out:
Williams says, "What he did, he's going to pay for, it's not right."Unfortunately, Linda is not alone in a case like this.In the last decade, more than 300 forcible rapes have been reported each year in West-Virginia.Worse than that, more than one-thousand rapes are reported each year in Virginia.
Licensed Psychologist Susan Smith says, "This happens not only to women, but also to boys, young men, the elderly."Sexual assault is one of the most under-reported crimes, with more than half still being left unreported."If it happens to you, report it, or if you don't it's going to make your life a living, awful bad place," says Williams.
After reporting the assault to police, victims should be examined at a hospital so that evidence can be collected.They then have to begin coping with the myriad of effects that rape can cause."Shock, feelings of loss of control, sleep disturbance, appetite disturbance, feelings of self-blame, questioning of your own judgment, your own perceptions," are some of the side effects according to Smith.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Another police officer convicted of sexual assault
Kenneth Deshun Woods, 28, a former Galveston, TX patrolman, was convicted of aggravated kidnapping for an incident where he handcuffed and sexually assaulted a woman while on duty.
According to the Houston Chronicle's Galveston ex-police officer convicted in assault on woman:
Woods faces five to 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, said Joel Bennett, an assistant Galveston County district attorney.According to testimony during the trial, the 43-year-old woman was sitting alone in her car on the beach early on May 27, 2006, at Apffel Park when a police officer confronted her.
The officer, whom she identified as Woods, placed her in his police car, drove her to another part of the beach, handcuffed her and sexually assaulted her. Afterward, she said, he drove her back to her car.
A second woman, a known prostitute, was with a client when Woods arrested, then raped her, according to trial testimony. Woods joined the Galveston police department in 2005 and was a patrolman before the indictment, when he was fired.
According to the Houston Chronicle's Galveston ex-police officer convicted in assault on woman:
Woods faces five to 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, said Joel Bennett, an assistant Galveston County district attorney.According to testimony during the trial, the 43-year-old woman was sitting alone in her car on the beach early on May 27, 2006, at Apffel Park when a police officer confronted her.
The officer, whom she identified as Woods, placed her in his police car, drove her to another part of the beach, handcuffed her and sexually assaulted her. Afterward, she said, he drove her back to her car.
A second woman, a known prostitute, was with a client when Woods arrested, then raped her, according to trial testimony. Woods joined the Galveston police department in 2005 and was a patrolman before the indictment, when he was fired.
$200K bail for Sheriff's Deputy held on rape charges
Joseph Sumner Qualls, 27, a Pierce County sheriff's deputy, is being held on $200,000 bail for an alleged rape and burglary which took place back earlier this month. Qualls, a member of the force for about a year, is alleged to have had sexual intercourse with a drunk woman after giving her a courtesy ride, rides given to intoxicated passengers to prevent drunk driving.
According to probable cause documents filed in court, Qualls is alleged to have had sexual contact with the woman one other time while on duty. He walked into the woman’s home while she was asleep last Friday, grabbed her by the ankle and made her perform a sex act, according to the court documents.
Qualls showed up again at the woman’s home last Saturday, but she refused to let him in, according to the documents. Authorities said the deputy's account and the woman's account of what happened did not exactly match, but detectives were able to corroborate some parts of the woman's story.
The investigation, which is continuing, may lead to charges of custodial sexual misconduct, first-degree burglary and first-degree rape with firearms enhancements.
According to probable cause documents filed in court, Qualls is alleged to have had sexual contact with the woman one other time while on duty. He walked into the woman’s home while she was asleep last Friday, grabbed her by the ankle and made her perform a sex act, according to the court documents.
Qualls showed up again at the woman’s home last Saturday, but she refused to let him in, according to the documents. Authorities said the deputy's account and the woman's account of what happened did not exactly match, but detectives were able to corroborate some parts of the woman's story.
The investigation, which is continuing, may lead to charges of custodial sexual misconduct, first-degree burglary and first-degree rape with firearms enhancements.
Four time felon goes away for life in rape of 75 year old woman
A Georgia rapist who pleaded guilty Wednesday to rape, robbery, and kidnapping of a 75 year old woman was sentenced to life with parole for the rape, and 20 years each for kidnapping and robbery.
Michael Blocker initially claimed that he only burglarized the woman's house, but changed his story.
But after hearing the victim testify Tuesday, Mr. Blocker said he knew she was telling the truth. Afterward, he thought of his mother and what he would do if someone attacked her, Mr. Blocker said, adding that he cried.
"It was wrong what I did, and I apologize," he said.
In the early morning of Jan. 9, 2007, the victim returned to her home after walking her dog. Mr. Blocker had sneaked into the condo while she was outside. He stole money and jewelry and then raped the woman before leaving. A couple of unique pieces of the jewelry led investigators to Mr. Blocker. DNA testing tied him to the rape.
According to Assistant District Attorney Ashley Wright, four time felons are automatically sentenced to the maximum sentence without parole. The other felonies are a 1995 conviction for carjacking and cocaine posession, a 1992 theft, and a 1990 burglary.
Michael Blocker initially claimed that he only burglarized the woman's house, but changed his story.
But after hearing the victim testify Tuesday, Mr. Blocker said he knew she was telling the truth. Afterward, he thought of his mother and what he would do if someone attacked her, Mr. Blocker said, adding that he cried.
"It was wrong what I did, and I apologize," he said.
In the early morning of Jan. 9, 2007, the victim returned to her home after walking her dog. Mr. Blocker had sneaked into the condo while she was outside. He stole money and jewelry and then raped the woman before leaving. A couple of unique pieces of the jewelry led investigators to Mr. Blocker. DNA testing tied him to the rape.
According to Assistant District Attorney Ashley Wright, four time felons are automatically sentenced to the maximum sentence without parole. The other felonies are a 1995 conviction for carjacking and cocaine posession, a 1992 theft, and a 1990 burglary.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Nursing homes, other institutions escape notification of sex offenders
After recent incidents where sex offenders allegedly preyed on wulnerable women in nursing homes, gaps in Florida's (and other states') sex offender notification law have been found. Ivey Edwards, 82, whose criminal history dates back to 1945, raped a comatose 77 year old nursing home resident back in 2002. Thomas Ango Oliver, a sex predator convicted of raping a 10 year old girl in 2004, is accused of groping a female patient at his nursing home New Year's Eve.
More from the Bradenton Herald's Loophole in sexual predator law:
These incidents and others underscore what experts and notification advocates say is a long-standing gap in state laws nationwide: Laws requiring public notification of sexual offenders and predators have long focused on protecting children - but not vulnerable adults such as those in nursing homes, hospitals and mental health facilities. As a result, an untold number of people are placed in greater jeopardy of being sexually assaulted.
"There's not only people out there who abuse children, but people who specifically prey on adults," said Judy Cornett, executive director of Safety Zone Advocacy, a national non-profit organization that provides education on safety, prevention and intervention on sex crimes against children.
"Any business, hospital or nursing home - I think it should be required to do a background check on those who come in," she said. "Hospitals could be a little tough. But nursing homes, I think it should be mandatory. There should be a law passed."
One anti-sex predator group, A Perfect Cause, has compiled a report on offenders in nursing homes.
In a pair of reports published in 2004 and 2005, A Perfect Cause said it found 800 registered sexual offenders in long-term care facilities in 36 states. Of those, 58 were in Florida - including two in Bradenton facilities who have since died.
Those offenders committed more than 100 crimes, including murder, rape and assault, against fellow residents, the group said. Its findings led several states - California, Illinois, Oklahoma and Virginia among them - to begin requiring nursing homes to check prospective residents' criminal backgrounds and/or notify residents or their guardians if convicted sex offenders live on the premises.
The Herald's report is four pages long. It shows how we have focused all our efforts on children, but failed to focus the same efforts we place on protecting kids against sexual predators as we do protecting vulnerable adults, like those in hospitals, treatment programs, and nursing homes.
More from the Bradenton Herald's Loophole in sexual predator law:
These incidents and others underscore what experts and notification advocates say is a long-standing gap in state laws nationwide: Laws requiring public notification of sexual offenders and predators have long focused on protecting children - but not vulnerable adults such as those in nursing homes, hospitals and mental health facilities. As a result, an untold number of people are placed in greater jeopardy of being sexually assaulted.
"There's not only people out there who abuse children, but people who specifically prey on adults," said Judy Cornett, executive director of Safety Zone Advocacy, a national non-profit organization that provides education on safety, prevention and intervention on sex crimes against children.
"Any business, hospital or nursing home - I think it should be required to do a background check on those who come in," she said. "Hospitals could be a little tough. But nursing homes, I think it should be mandatory. There should be a law passed."
One anti-sex predator group, A Perfect Cause, has compiled a report on offenders in nursing homes.
In a pair of reports published in 2004 and 2005, A Perfect Cause said it found 800 registered sexual offenders in long-term care facilities in 36 states. Of those, 58 were in Florida - including two in Bradenton facilities who have since died.
Those offenders committed more than 100 crimes, including murder, rape and assault, against fellow residents, the group said. Its findings led several states - California, Illinois, Oklahoma and Virginia among them - to begin requiring nursing homes to check prospective residents' criminal backgrounds and/or notify residents or their guardians if convicted sex offenders live on the premises.
The Herald's report is four pages long. It shows how we have focused all our efforts on children, but failed to focus the same efforts we place on protecting kids against sexual predators as we do protecting vulnerable adults, like those in hospitals, treatment programs, and nursing homes.
Woman acquitted of sex assault of passed out man: now suing for paternity
Like the poster said, if the woman had this man's baby, and the only way that she could have had it was by sex with him while he was passed out, then how the heck wasn't she found guilty? And she's asking for child support, too?
From the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, Woman not guilty of sex assault:
Tammy L. Christie, formerly of Stevens Point, was found not guilty Thursday of third-degree sexual assault. Prior to Thursday's trial, the charge against Christie was reduced from second-degree sexual assault of an unconscious person. Wood County Circuit Court Judge Greg Potter officiated over the one-day trial.
According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 15, 2006, a 21-year-old man was at a relative's residence in Marshfield drinking and playing cards. The man felt dizzy and had a headache, his vision became blurred, and he had trouble walking.
He came too the next morning in a spare bedroom, with Christie by his side. He didn't think anything happened, but something did. Recently, he was served with paternity papers, and a DNA test proved that the victim was the father of Christie's child.
Christie reportedly told a Marshfield detective she had been at the residence when the man had too much to drink and had to be helped into a bedroom.
Both comments below the story:
And the kicker is now she wants child support?
Now, I don't know all of the facts, but from what I had read about this case, this woman had sex with this man while he was drunk. Now if the tables were turned and it was the man who had sex with the woman when she was drunk, the man would have been found guilty. How did this woman get pregnant with this man's child? If they had never had sex other than when the woman utilized the man's services without his consent, I would think it was sexual assault. Can anyone shed some light on this.
From the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, Woman not guilty of sex assault:
Tammy L. Christie, formerly of Stevens Point, was found not guilty Thursday of third-degree sexual assault. Prior to Thursday's trial, the charge against Christie was reduced from second-degree sexual assault of an unconscious person. Wood County Circuit Court Judge Greg Potter officiated over the one-day trial.
According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 15, 2006, a 21-year-old man was at a relative's residence in Marshfield drinking and playing cards. The man felt dizzy and had a headache, his vision became blurred, and he had trouble walking.
He came too the next morning in a spare bedroom, with Christie by his side. He didn't think anything happened, but something did. Recently, he was served with paternity papers, and a DNA test proved that the victim was the father of Christie's child.
Christie reportedly told a Marshfield detective she had been at the residence when the man had too much to drink and had to be helped into a bedroom.
Both comments below the story:
And the kicker is now she wants child support?
Now, I don't know all of the facts, but from what I had read about this case, this woman had sex with this man while he was drunk. Now if the tables were turned and it was the man who had sex with the woman when she was drunk, the man would have been found guilty. How did this woman get pregnant with this man's child? If they had never had sex other than when the woman utilized the man's services without his consent, I would think it was sexual assault. Can anyone shed some light on this.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Doctor charged with allegedly groping employee
A Sparta surgeon's preliminary hearing for allegations that he groped an employee is scheduled for January 31. Dr. Frantz Charles, 61 is charged with criminal sexual abuse and unlawful restraint, Class 4 felonies, as well as misdemeanor battery.
The DuQuoin (Il) Evening Call's Jan. 31 Hearing for Sparta M.D. Accused of Sexual Abuse:
A female employee who works part-time at Sparta Community Hospital alleges that Charles pulled her into a men's locker room at the hospital, forced her against a wall and inappropriately touched her.The doctor denies the charges, saying he had not seen the woman for several months and was simply trying to give her a hug. Sparta police officers arrested Charles at the hospital on Dec. 29, taking him to Randolph County Jail. Charles posted $1,000 bond and was released.
Sparta Community Hospital administrators are investigating him, and they have barred him from seeing any patients until their investigation is complete. Charles has worked at the hospital for 16 years.
The DuQuoin (Il) Evening Call's Jan. 31 Hearing for Sparta M.D. Accused of Sexual Abuse:
A female employee who works part-time at Sparta Community Hospital alleges that Charles pulled her into a men's locker room at the hospital, forced her against a wall and inappropriately touched her.The doctor denies the charges, saying he had not seen the woman for several months and was simply trying to give her a hug. Sparta police officers arrested Charles at the hospital on Dec. 29, taking him to Randolph County Jail. Charles posted $1,000 bond and was released.
Sparta Community Hospital administrators are investigating him, and they have barred him from seeing any patients until their investigation is complete. Charles has worked at the hospital for 16 years.
Developmentally diisabled non-SO sexually abused by SO in mental hospital
A 45 year old man with the mental capacity of a 5 year old was sexually assaulted by an inmate at the sex offender's unit at the North Dakota State Hospital. According to the victim's father, the victim, who is not a sex offender, has been living at the hospital for the past 33 years and struggling with mental illness.
The father is pleased overall with the level of care his son gets, but is concerned that his developmental disability makes him vulnerable.
“Anybody that wants to take advantage of him would find an easy time, I think,” the father said.
The Fargo Forum has more in their Offender sexually abused patient story:
Rodney Ireland, 22, who was civilly committed to the hospital as a sexually dangerous individual, admits to sexually abusing the 45-year-old man and takes full responsibility.
But he also says the assault could have been prevented. “I believe that it’s reckless for him to be here in the first place,” Ireland said. “They move him from floor to floor, but he’s still intermingling with sex offenders.”
Ireland, whom The Forum contacted through a phone in the sex offender unit, said the victim has been living with sex offenders since before he arrived at the hospital in September 2003. While the two no longer live on the same floor, the victim is still in the sex offender unit and Ireland and other sex offenders still have access to him, Ireland said.
“I pass him on a daily basis for group activities,” he said.
Alex Schweitzer, the superintendent of the hospital, cited privacy concerns for not divulging more about the situation, and did not verify whether either Ireland or the victim was currently held at the sex offender unit. Schweitzer stated that he “any issues regarding anything in regards to patient care” and that the needs of each patient are dealt with on an individual basis.
Bill Kysar, 47, a convicted sex offender also civilly committed to the State Hospital, said he has advocated on multiple occasions for the victim to be moved to a different unit because he does not feel the current environment is safe.
“If we’re so safe, then how come we’re not out in the community?” Kysar said, referring to several convicted sex offenders who have been deemed sexually dangerous individuals who are too dangerous to be among society.
When asked if there were any requests to move the victim off of the sex offender unit, Schweitzer responded, “I can’t speak about anything in terms of any particular individual on that unit.”
Kysar feels Ireland’s victim is being treated differently than other victims by remaining in an environment where he could be assaulted again by Ireland or someone else.
“They’re not going to take my victim and bring her in here and make her live around me,” Kysar said, adding that Ireland’s victim should receive the same protection.
The victim's father said that while his son is a large man who could physically take care of himself, the mental issues should warrant removal to a different unit. “I think they can find another unit for him if they try,” he said.
Ireland said that despite having taken advantage of the victim’s vulnerability and assaulting him, he now sees himself as an advocate for the victim because he is among others trying to get him removed from the unit so it does not happen again.
“It doesn’t take away from the events that have occurred, but I’m pretty sure that they could have minimized the chances of this happening if they would have moved him to a more secure, more stable environment that you don’t have the high-risk sex offenders (in),” he said.
Ireland now faces a Class A felony gross sexual imposition charge in Stutsman County for the incident, which he confessed to during an August therapy session.
Ireland told an investigator that he assaulted the victim in summer 2006 in the kitchen of one of the sex offender units and believed he took advantage of his mental condition, according to court documents. Ireland was convicted at age 12 in juvenile court in Montana of sexually assaulting a 2-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy, according to the North Dakota Sex Offender Web site.
Both sex offenders believe the victim was sexually assaulted in the past, and could be again as long as he stays on the sex offender unit.
“It would be naive to think that a pack of wolves wouldn’t attack a wounded animal,” Ireland said.
The father is pleased overall with the level of care his son gets, but is concerned that his developmental disability makes him vulnerable.
“Anybody that wants to take advantage of him would find an easy time, I think,” the father said.
The Fargo Forum has more in their Offender sexually abused patient story:
Rodney Ireland, 22, who was civilly committed to the hospital as a sexually dangerous individual, admits to sexually abusing the 45-year-old man and takes full responsibility.
But he also says the assault could have been prevented. “I believe that it’s reckless for him to be here in the first place,” Ireland said. “They move him from floor to floor, but he’s still intermingling with sex offenders.”
Ireland, whom The Forum contacted through a phone in the sex offender unit, said the victim has been living with sex offenders since before he arrived at the hospital in September 2003. While the two no longer live on the same floor, the victim is still in the sex offender unit and Ireland and other sex offenders still have access to him, Ireland said.
“I pass him on a daily basis for group activities,” he said.
Alex Schweitzer, the superintendent of the hospital, cited privacy concerns for not divulging more about the situation, and did not verify whether either Ireland or the victim was currently held at the sex offender unit. Schweitzer stated that he “any issues regarding anything in regards to patient care” and that the needs of each patient are dealt with on an individual basis.
Bill Kysar, 47, a convicted sex offender also civilly committed to the State Hospital, said he has advocated on multiple occasions for the victim to be moved to a different unit because he does not feel the current environment is safe.
“If we’re so safe, then how come we’re not out in the community?” Kysar said, referring to several convicted sex offenders who have been deemed sexually dangerous individuals who are too dangerous to be among society.
When asked if there were any requests to move the victim off of the sex offender unit, Schweitzer responded, “I can’t speak about anything in terms of any particular individual on that unit.”
Kysar feels Ireland’s victim is being treated differently than other victims by remaining in an environment where he could be assaulted again by Ireland or someone else.
“They’re not going to take my victim and bring her in here and make her live around me,” Kysar said, adding that Ireland’s victim should receive the same protection.
The victim's father said that while his son is a large man who could physically take care of himself, the mental issues should warrant removal to a different unit. “I think they can find another unit for him if they try,” he said.
Ireland said that despite having taken advantage of the victim’s vulnerability and assaulting him, he now sees himself as an advocate for the victim because he is among others trying to get him removed from the unit so it does not happen again.
“It doesn’t take away from the events that have occurred, but I’m pretty sure that they could have minimized the chances of this happening if they would have moved him to a more secure, more stable environment that you don’t have the high-risk sex offenders (in),” he said.
Ireland now faces a Class A felony gross sexual imposition charge in Stutsman County for the incident, which he confessed to during an August therapy session.
Ireland told an investigator that he assaulted the victim in summer 2006 in the kitchen of one of the sex offender units and believed he took advantage of his mental condition, according to court documents. Ireland was convicted at age 12 in juvenile court in Montana of sexually assaulting a 2-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy, according to the North Dakota Sex Offender Web site.
Both sex offenders believe the victim was sexually assaulted in the past, and could be again as long as he stays on the sex offender unit.
“It would be naive to think that a pack of wolves wouldn’t attack a wounded animal,” Ireland said.
Beating on the 4th of July sends twice convicted rapist to prison for life
A 65 year old man was sentenced to life without parole for rape after a July 4, 2004 attack on his then 38 year old girlfriend. George Timmons was sentenced based on a "2-strikes" law for certain violent crimes. The counts Timmons was sentenced on included two counts of rape and one count each of aggravated sexual battery, attempted assault by extremely offensive or provocative contact and domestic aggravated assault.
The Chattanooga Times-Free Press has more in its story -Homeless man gets life without parole in 2004 rape, beating:
The charges stemmed from the July 4, 2004, assault on a woman who lived with Mr. Timmons in "tent city," a former homeless encampment along the railroad tracks near East 11th Street.
Assistant District Attorney Boyd Patterson said some crimes, such as rape, mandate a sentence of life without parole if the defendant has previous convictions for similar offenses.
"In this case, Mr. Timmons committed rape in Alabama," Mr. Patterson said.
According to court records, Mr. Timmons was convicted of rape in 1978 in Madison County, Ala., and sentenced to 40 years in prison. It is not clear how many years he served on that conviction.
Defense attorney John McDougal said he will file an appeal. "Mr. Timmons plans to fight forward, and we will continue with that," Mr. McDougal said. District Attorney Boyd Patterson said some crimes, such as rape, mandate a sentence of life without parole if the defendant has previous convictions for similar offenses.
"In this case, Mr. Timmons committed rape in Alabama," Mr. Patterson said. According to court records, Mr. Timmons was convicted of rape in 1978 in Madison County, Ala., and sentenced to 40 years in prison. It is not clear how many years he served on that conviction.
Defense attorney John McDougal said he will file an appeal.
The woman described how Timmons cahnged from a "nice guy" to the batter and rapist he showed himself to be:
"When I first met him he seemed really nice. After a couple weeks he started getting abusive because he thought I was messing around on him." She packed her belongings to leave him because he had shown signs of violence, befor he attacked her with a stick. After beating and raping the victim, Timmons passed out. "I said a prayer to God that I could get out of there and get help," the woman said.
Cathy Davis, a nurse who examined the woman, said the victim had injuries consistent with rape as well as black eyes, bruises on her face and abrasions on her shoulders, back, abdomen, legs and rib cage.
The Chattanooga Times-Free Press has more in its story -Homeless man gets life without parole in 2004 rape, beating:
The charges stemmed from the July 4, 2004, assault on a woman who lived with Mr. Timmons in "tent city," a former homeless encampment along the railroad tracks near East 11th Street.
Assistant District Attorney Boyd Patterson said some crimes, such as rape, mandate a sentence of life without parole if the defendant has previous convictions for similar offenses.
"In this case, Mr. Timmons committed rape in Alabama," Mr. Patterson said.
According to court records, Mr. Timmons was convicted of rape in 1978 in Madison County, Ala., and sentenced to 40 years in prison. It is not clear how many years he served on that conviction.
Defense attorney John McDougal said he will file an appeal. "Mr. Timmons plans to fight forward, and we will continue with that," Mr. McDougal said. District Attorney Boyd Patterson said some crimes, such as rape, mandate a sentence of life without parole if the defendant has previous convictions for similar offenses.
"In this case, Mr. Timmons committed rape in Alabama," Mr. Patterson said. According to court records, Mr. Timmons was convicted of rape in 1978 in Madison County, Ala., and sentenced to 40 years in prison. It is not clear how many years he served on that conviction.
Defense attorney John McDougal said he will file an appeal.
The woman described how Timmons cahnged from a "nice guy" to the batter and rapist he showed himself to be:
"When I first met him he seemed really nice. After a couple weeks he started getting abusive because he thought I was messing around on him." She packed her belongings to leave him because he had shown signs of violence, befor he attacked her with a stick. After beating and raping the victim, Timmons passed out. "I said a prayer to God that I could get out of there and get help," the woman said.
Cathy Davis, a nurse who examined the woman, said the victim had injuries consistent with rape as well as black eyes, bruises on her face and abrasions on her shoulders, back, abdomen, legs and rib cage.
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