Convicted Sex Offender Strikes Again?

A man who has been previously convicted of rape and is listed as a child sex offender is accused of abducting Sarah H. Foxwell. Her body was found on Christmas day. Thomas J. Leggs Jr. knew the sixth grader and was the last person seen with her. One of the sad things is that this man had access to the young girl. He wasn't a stranger, some scary guy from down the street. He was the former boyfriend of the Sarah's aunt who had legal custody of her. Sarah was seen by "a minor" leaving her bedroom in the middle of the night with this man. Obviously Sarah trusted him. She knew him and had most likely been around him. This man should have never had a relationship with Sarah. This man was also considered "high risk". Given his background, why would you allow someone like that to be around your children? This is a sad case that might have been prevented if Leggs had never met the young girl.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091226/ap_on_re_us/us_maryland_girl_s_body_found

Over 20,000 Rape Kits Not Tested

Yesterday, Debbie Smith, a rape victim was on Capitol Hill. More than six years after she was assaulted, her perpetrator was found because his DNA match. She is sharing her story in hopes to push lawmakers into getting untested rape kits off the shelves and into labs to be tested. Instead of collecting dust, they could be saving others from going through the same traumatic event. Smith's perpetrator was already in jail, but what about the ones roaming the streets? When speaking of prevention, what better way than to stop these people before they can claim another victim? A 2005 bill named after Smith was supposed to reduce the backlog of of the untested rape kits. Senators are hoping to strengthen the bill, which will lead to more arrests for rape.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/15/cbsnews_investigates/main5983726.shtml

Sisters of Mercy Offer $193 Million To Abuse Victims

The Sisters of Mercy are an Irish order of Roman Catholic nuns. They have offered to pay over $193 million to the victims of abuse at the hands of their priests and nuns, charities and government. The abuse occurred at their schools and orphanages and consisted of rape, molestation, physical and mental abuse. Although the Sisters of Mercy stated that they "regret" what happened, they did not apologize. Admitting the abuse occurred is the first step and attempting to "compensate" the victims is important, but it doesn't change what happened. And what did happen went on for many, many years. Someone needs to take responsibility and the victims should not be expected to pay for services they may have sought to help themselves through their tragedy.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34260091/ns/world_news-europe/

Anthony Sowell Facing 85 Charges

An Ohio man, Anthony Sowell, is facing 85 criminal charges. They include rape, murder, assault and corpse abuse. Authorities found the remains of eleven different women at his home. This story states that all of the victims were "homeless or living alone, and had drug or alcohol addictions". It doesn't really matter if the women were homeless or addicts, they were still victims of horrible crimes. Anthony Sowell has plead insanity. Even though you have to be a troubled individual to commit these crimes,here's hoping that there won't be any leniency if he is found to be insane.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34257000/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

"Journey" Exhibit Opens in New York

Kudos to actress Emma Thompson, whose art exhibit to raise awareness on human sex trafficking opened in New York this week. The controversial exhibit shows the grim reality of life as a sex slave.
When Thompson realized that a woman was working as a sex slave in her own neighborhood, she wanted to do something to stop this horrific crime. Most people don't realize that the sex trade industry is a multi million dollar business that takes place everywhere, including suburban neighborhoods right here in the United States. Unfortunately, the exhibit is only in New York for the week, and then will go overseas. As important as it is to raise awareness all over the world,it's too bad this exhibit could not be shown in more US cities. This is a huge issue and the exhibit seems to be a powerful eye opener.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33913920/ns/us_news-giving/from/ET

Missouri Family Charged With Heinous Sex Crimes

Six men in Missouri have been charged with numerous sex crimes. The men are all part of the Mohler family. Some of the men are even ministers in their church. Charges include sodomy and rape of a child under the age of twelve. A young woman came forward in August of this year with the allegations and some of her siblings have corroborated her story. Investigators do believe there may be other victims and are hoping they will also come forward and assist in this case. They are in the process of searching part of the land that was once owned by two of the men who have been charged. Additional information continues to surface regarding the case, and seems to get more and more disturbing. As hard as it is to read the details, imagine the victims who "lived" through this.

http://www.kwch.com/global/story.asp?s=11485216
http://www.examiner.com/x-7520-Chicago-Crime-Examiner~y2009m11d13-xxx?cid=exrss-Chicago-Crime-Examiner

Bystanders Do Nothing During Assault

We all have a role in preventing sexual assault. Even a bystander during an assault has the responsibility to try and stop it from happening. There are certainly instances in which you could be harmed for attempting to stop the crime from happening (one person in this story was said to be too afraid to say anything for fear of getting beaten up), but there is always an option to speak out, make a phone call, go to police, something.

In Richmond, California a fifteen year old girl was assaulted outside her high school following a dance. Multiple people are being accused of raping her, while others "just stood there and watched". The young woman was given alcohol and some of the accused are over eighteen. Those involved are said to have invited the girl over to a common area on school grounds to drink. Where were school officials and why were 19-21 years olds, or any non-students for that matter on school grounds? Who stands by and watches a young girl get repeatedly assaulted and laugh about it? Over 20 people are said to be involved. Over 20 people thought this was okay? It's awfully sad that these people are too afraid of the consequences if they say something. It is probably a real fear which makes it that much more depressing and disturbing. What will become of the girl? Will she, or could she ever return to school? Should she be afraid of retaliation?

Here's hoping she will have more support from those around her now and in the future. She will need it more than anything.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33531235/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

A Survivor Comes Face To Face

Most of us have heard about Jaycee Lee Dugard. The young woman who was kidnapped almost eighteen years ago and held captive by Phillip Garrido. She was recently on the cover of People magazine and the whole world has been captivated by her story. What most of us don't know, or realize, is that Jaycee was not Garrido's first victim (and probably not his last, unfortunately). A woman named Katie Callaway Hall appeared in a California courthouse this week to face the man who brutally raped her over 30 years ago. Garrido was found guilty and served just eleven years on his fifty year sentence for raping Katie Hall. Three years later he would allegedly abduct Jaycee in front of her house, repeatedly rape her and hold her captive in terrible conditions. Hall's reason for going to the courthouse is simple. She wants to ensure that this man is never let out of prison again. She wants to ensure that another little girl or woman does not meet this man's wrath.

After feeling like her assault was something in her past, she was faced with the news that the man who had assaulted her was not only out of prison, but was facing new charges for another sexual assault. Now, struggling with feelings of guilt for Jaycee's abduction and emotions she thought were locked away, she is determined to see Garrido spend the rest of his days behind bars. He would've been in jail when Jaycee was taken. The opportunity to steal a little girl and subject her to years of abuse should have never been available to him.

Although having to face Garrido again proved to be difficult, Hall is hoping to find strength and closure with his upcoming trial. Having a previous victim of his come forward should only enforce the fact that he is a repeat offender who will prey on someone else if given the chance. Now, we just have to make sure our justice system comes through and puts him away for life.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33547694/ns/today-today_people/

You Tube Video Gets Mixed Reactions

A video that appeared on YouTube recently is causing mixed reactions. In this particular video, a young man seems to be blaming the victims of rape. Apparently, this is not what he means to do, but to some that is exactly how they see it. The reactions of the viewers are strong. Some are completely mortified, some confused or speechless. Some argue that although he seems to be harsh, he is trying to make a point to the victims of sexual assault. Without the voices of victims, we will never be able to stop a sexual predator or save others from the same fate. Regardless of what he means to say, it is the way in which it is perceived by the viewers that is causing so much emotion. This could be heartbreaking for some victims to hear, or the motivation they need to say something about their assault.

Many viewers have posted comments, and some have responded with their own videos. There are even those who are not victims of sexual assault and rape and have spoken out, which shows how many people sexual violence truly affects. The victims of such a terrible crime are always affected, but so are the friends and family members of that victim, the witnesses, the community, the perpetrator and their loved ones.

How do you feel about this video? Could he have spread the same message, but in a different manner? Did he need to sound "firm and uncaring" to make his point?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V8EEEVamAg&feature=email

Sex Crimes Can Happen Anywhere-Jasmine's Law

Whether you watch the 6:00 news, read a newspaper or catch up with stories on the Internet, you hear about crimes being committed everyday. A lot of those crimes involve sexual assault, molestation, or pornography. No matter how large or small the town is, these crimes occur all too often. No matter how nice of neighborhood you live in, or how peaceful things may seem, it's still very possible for these horrific crimes to take place.

In Newberg, Oregon a man was just arrested with four other adults for multiple sex crimes including rape and sodomy. This man lived in a quiet little town with his two daughters. In addition to the rape and sodomy charges, Darrin Daily is said to also have images of a four year old girl on his computer and was posting Craigslist ads for others to have sex with a fourteen year old girl. Both she and another teenage girl have said they have had sex with Daily, and that he had given them alcohol and marijuana. Any adult who takes advantage of an underage child is wrong. To use drugs and alcohol to further manipulate them is even worse.

This story does not state whether Daily's own daughters were victims, and does not say where their mother may be. It also does not say whether Daily has a previous record. These are all questions that should be answered. His daughters were probably witness to some of these crimes if not victims themselves. Let's hope this that they are in a safe place now while waiting to hear what their father's future may hold. If he is found guilty on ANY of these charges, he should not be allowed to care for his two children. It will be interesting to see how this one unfolds.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33225470/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

There is a petition right now that is even asking for an additional eleven years to be added to sentencing when an offender uses alcohol on a victim. Please visit this site to learn more about Jasmine's Law and to sign this petition.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/support-jasmines-law

Homeless Sex Offenders "Camping"?

Most sex offender laws state that the offender may not live nears schools, parks or other places in which children gather. In Georgia, sex offenders who are being released from prison are finding that they are unable to find a place to live because of these laws. Now, some of these offenders are living in the woods. They have set up a small camp because they can't afford something else, or it is simply unavailable to them. Some of these people have stated that their probation officers told them about the wooded area. How safe is it to have sex offenders living in the woods without any kind of permanent address? How do the probation officers keep track of them? Homeless shelters aren't an option because there are children there, so where do they go? We don't want sex offenders living next door, but do we want them camping in the woods where it is harder to keep track of them?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33060361/

Polanski Arrest Sets Off International Debate

Over 30 years ago, Roman Polanski plead guilty to having sex with a minor. The victim was just thirteen years old when she was drugged by big shot Hollywood director Roman Polanski and sexually assaulted. Polanski was charged with six counts and plead guilty to just one. He was sentenced to 42 days in jail and when the possibility of being sentenced to more time in prison became an issue, he fled the country. He has been living in France and has continued to make movies, get married and have two children. He has even won an Oscar for his work and was on his way to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award when he was arrested. He is seen as a hard working family man in France and most of Europe seems to support him. In the United States, he is a fugitive who has been dodging officials and law enforcement for over thirty years.

The victim in this case is Samantha Geimer. She came forward years ago, identified herself, sued Polanski and received a monetary settlement. The question is, if the victim does not want to pursue the matter, does the law continue to do so in the name of justice? Geimer has asked that the charges against Polanski be dropped. She has stated that reliving the ordeal has been hard on her and her family and that she has moved on. Officials say that this is a legal matter and have watched Polanski snub his nose at American authorities. Not only did he commit a heinous crime for which he received a slap on the wrist, but he fled the country and continued on with his life. He has been careful not to work in countries that may extradite him to the United States and has been able to lead a fairly normal, successful life. Now, some may not understand why the US would go after a man whose crime is over 30 years old. They speak about his troubled life and all that he has endured. For those people who are applauding his movie making genius, remember that he still committed a crime. He not only committed a sex crime, but then ran away from authorities. He ADMITTED to having sex with a thirteen year old girl. Even if you don't agree that he should face a courtroom, don't put him on a pedestal for his work. It is hard to discuss what the repercussions should be when the only one who should have a say is the victim. Samantha Geimer is the one whose life has been turned upside down. She is the one who deals with this incident every day of her life. This particular woman wants this all put behind her. Do we honor her wishes, or make an example out of a man who chose to run away from his punishment?



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33054077/ns/entertainment-celebrities//
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33042460/ns/entertainment-celebrities/

Italy Facing Charges of Sex Abuse in Church

Both the United States and Ireland have faced criticism when sexual abuse within the Catholic churches has been made public knowledge. Now, in Italy, where the catholic church is even more prominent, in the home of the Vatican, they are facing the same problem. Charges of sexual abuse are being brought to light in a country where talking about sex is hard enough. In the last ten years there have been over 70 documented cases of sexual abuse among the clergy. 67 former students have come forward recently to speak about abuse dating back to the 1950's. Once again, in a place where children are supposed to be safe, and taken care of, they were being taken advantage of by their own caregivers. In this particular case, the students were deaf. Who would think these children would TELL anyone what was happening. They were being bribed with candy and would face physical abuse for saying anything.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090913/ap_on_re_eu/eu_in_the_vatican_s_backyard

New Texas Law Will Give Closure, Open Old Wounds

Even though the statute of limitations has expired, both prosecutors and parole boards will now have access to DNA evidence that may link suspects to old sexual assaults that are considered cold cases. For some victims, they will finally have a name. An actual person who is responsible for their assault. Allowing prosecutors and parole boards to view this information will give them additional insight to the people in question. It may put restrictions on their release if they are up for parole or show that they are capable of a serious crime. Some of these perpetrators have lived the last 20 or 30 years without ever paying the price for crimes they have committed. The victims have had to face it every day. Although this may help victims move forward or find a sense of peace, others may have to face old hardships. They may find out that the person they thought was responsible is not the one who assaulted them. Even though it may point to another person, it could end up that they do not find out at all. The ACLU is also concerned that this law will punish suspects without "due process".

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB125167372604370775-lMyQjAxMDI5NTAxMjYwNzIzWj.html?

Jaycee Dugard Case Raises Questions, Sparks Anger, Gives Hope

Earlier this week the country was reminded of a little girl who was kidnapped eighteen years ago near South Lake Tahoe in California. Jaycee Dugard was eleven years old when she was snatched up by a man and woman on her way to the school bus stop. Her step father watched in horror as the car sped away, and Jaycee was gone. Last week, it was discovered that Jaycee Dugard was not only still alive, but living in Antioch, California just a few hours from where she was taken. Now a twenty-nine year old woman and mother of two, Jaycee Dugard is the center of attention and tons of unanswered questions.
Phillip and Nancy Garrido are accused of taking Jaycee. Phillip Garrido is a registered sex offender who was convicted of rape once before and sentenced to fifty years. Unfortunately, he only served ELEVEN years and was released. He is accused of kidnapping Dugard with his wife and keeping her captive in his backyard in a series of tents and sheds. He is also said to be the father of her two children, ages 15 and 11, which means she had her first child at the age of 14. The discovery of the secret life he was leading has now opened doors for other unsolved murders, rapes and kidnapping cases. He may be the key to other crimes and the fact that Jaycee was found alive has given hope to other parents of missing children.
The parole officer in charge of Garrido and local police are under major scutiny. A phone call to authorities in 2006 saying there were children living in the backyard of a registered sex offender were not properly investigated. The rest of the neighbors knew something was strange but "minded their own business" and figured that any registered sex offender would be properly monitored by law enforcement. Now those same neighbors are shocked to hear the details of this young woman's life that took place in their "own backyard".
There is so many questions to this case that need to be addressed. For now, Jaycee has reunited with her mother. Her and her two children will need privacy along with counseling and support from everyone. Some ask why she never tried to reach out to someone or run away,or why she tried to hide her identity at first. Well, think of what she has been through. Think of her as a frightened eleven year old girl. She didn't ask for this. Not one part of it is her fault. Let's make sure the right people take the blame for what happened. That means Phillip Garrido, his wife Nancy, and the authorities for not protecting Jaycee and her children. They had opportunities to do so. How is it that Google maps shows you the property and all the tents set up but no one else thought it was a cause for alarm? Why is it that this man was getting regular visits from a parole officer who failed to note the "compound" in the backyard? It's pretty scary that our legal system not only lets sexual predators out of prison but that they aren't even monitored and watched like they should be to keep the rest of us safe.
The Garrido's are facing 29 counts. They have plead not guilty and are being held in El Dorado County. One news source spoke with the lawyer representing Nancy Garrido who said his client is "distraught". Distraught? WHO CARES?!?! This woman took part in the kidnapping. She lived a lie, and kept 3 people in her backyard for years. Her husband raped a little girl and fathered two children with her. She stood by and did nothing. The only people allowed to be distraught in this case are Jaycee and her children. They are now living in a fishbowl with the whole world watching. They have been brainwashed and forced to live in squalor, hidden away from the outside world. Hopefully they will eventually lead healthy, happy and productive lives. They will be introduced to the modern world and to the people who truly love them. Jaycee's family has prayed for her return. They have held vigils and begged for help from the community. They have been torn apart by this ordeal, so we can only hope that the healing starts soon, that bonds thought to be broken are repaired and that they are all able to move forward. Maybe this time someone will also make sure Phillip Garrido stays behind bars. We need some kind of guarantee that he will not be allowed to hurt another person. His victims, all of them, deserve that and so does the general public.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32614326/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts//

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=66053&provider=top

The Cost of Freedom?

For those tying to find a better life here in the United States, the price is high. Often times there are people who will help others cross the border illegally into the United States but with ill intentions. They have alterior motives and take advantage of the men, women and children who are trusting them with their life. Smugglers who do this are called coyotes. They prey on the desperate individuals who will do anything to get to America.
In southern California, a man and woman were dumped in the desert by people like this. They left the man naked and abandoned, raped the woman and left her at a different location. Imagine how many others have gone through the same kind of situation, and yet they are probably too afraid to come forward due to their circumstances, and being here illegally. There is a smuggling ring currently under investigation that the men responsible for this are involved with. The couple that was deserted were just the latest victims. Others have also been held hostage and beaten, some have died. The coyotes try to hold these people for ransom and demand more money. When these people cannot meet their demands, they are victimized. The couple had already paid $5,000 and couldn't come up with anything more. How many others have paid this and more, just for a chance at freedom?

http://www.sbsun.com/ci_13180596?source=most_viewed

Pardoned for Rape and Murder?

How is it that four men confess to a murder and rape of an eighteen year old girl, are found guilty, serve some time and then three of them receive a conditional pardon? This is what happened in Virginia. The fourth man served eight years and was released. All four men were given life sentences, so what happened? Looking at the details of the case, it's hard to say. The men say they were coerced into confessing to the crime and there was not any DNA evidence to connect them to it. A different man, Omar Ballard, confessed and was found guilty after his DNA did match. The Innocence Project, a group that works to free the wrongly convicted worked on the case. Working with multiple firms and resources, they were able to convince Govenor Timothy Kaine to pardon the men. Because Kaine decided that the men had not completely proven their innoncence, he said he reduced their sentences rather than give them a full pardon, which explains the "conditional" pardon. The men are also going to serve a lengthy probation, and will register as sex offenders.

Now, if they are guilty, then they should not have been released for any reason. If they are innocent of the crimes they were accused of, then they shouldn't have to register as sex offenders or be put on probation. What part did these men play in the rape and murder? Even after Ballard confessed, the prosecutors continued with their case against the others. They had plead guilty to avoid the death penalty. The young women's parents also believe the men are guilty and are upset with the pardons. These parents went through the trials, heard the confessions. Were they toyed with emotionally to get a conviction? Why were the charges and case pursued if someone was already linked to the crime and said to have no accomplices? An explanation is still needed. It is just not clear what really occured, or what led to this decision.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/06/AR2009080602065_2.html?referrer=emailarticle&sid=ST2009080602217

Former President Jimmy Carter Makes a Statement

Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States is standing up for women. Presdident Carter recognized the unfair teachings of his church and has severed ties with them. In doing so, he has made an enormous statement and shown his support for women's rights all over the world. He explains how many religions and cultures view women as secondary citizens, without rights or advantages available to men. President Carter also goes on to talk about how everyone benefits when the females in this world are treated equally and given opportunities to live a happy, healthy life. President Carter is a huge public figure who is educated about the issue at hand and makes an impact on others when he takes a stance on such a senstive, yet important subject. For someone with his stature to come forward and ask all of us to question or challenge the teachings some of us have been brought up with, is a giant step for women. It is time to spread the word, and get the rest of the world to follow suit! Check out President Carter's article:

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/losing-my-religion-for-equality-20090714-dk0v.html?page=-1

Tony Alamo Found GUILTY!

Tony Alamo was found guilty on charges he took underage girls across state lines for sex. Arrested last September,he was found guilty in the state of Arkansas on 10 counts and will be sentenced in the next eight weeks. Tony Alamo is a notorious preacher with a long history of questionable behavior. He has led a cult like compound where he dictated how his followers lived, had sex with minors, and has even served time for tax evasion. He is known by his former followers as someone who controlled those around him and took many brides, most of them underage and some as young as eight or nine. Not only did this account for years of sexual assault and abuse among his female followers, but he was mentally and emotionally abusive to everyone within his compound. He even separated family members from each other on a regular basis. Because of lack of physical evidence, prosecutors relied on the testimonies of numerous women who were "wives" and victims of his abuse. Thankfully, those testimonies convinced a jury that Alamo had indeed broken the law. Alamo is facing up to ten years in prison for each count as well as millions in fines. If he is sentenced as he should be, Alamo will live out the rest of his days in prison. This is the kind of person who preys on others and should never set foot outside a correctional facility. Known for his erractic behavior, even in the courtroom, he is still trying to tell his "followers" what to do, and that he is "stil in charge!" during phone conversations. Let's see how well he does when he no longer gets to call the shots.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32125909/ns/us_news-crime_and_courtsfrom/ET

Football Quarterback Accused of Rape

A 31 year old Nevada woman has come forward and filed a lawsuit in which she states that football player Ben Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her. She was an employee at Harrah's casino at the time. Nevada officials do not intend to open a criminal investigation into these allegations. Why aren't officials looking into this? Apparently only the victim can file a criminal complaint for there to be any kind of investigation. Ben Roethlisberger is the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers football team. He participated in a celebrity golf outing in Nevada's Lake Tahoe last July and was a guest at the casino Harrah's. She is stating that not only was she assaulted by Roethlisberger, but that she reported it to officials at Harrah's and they attempted to cover up the incident because of a personal relationship they have with the football star. The woman feared for her job and did not report the incident to the police. Records show that she received treatments last year for both depression and anxiety brought on by the incident. This last spring, she finally went to a lawyer after being told to take two weeks off of work because Roethlisberger would be coming to the casino again for the golf outing. Because she did not go to police and waited a year before filing her lawsuit, experts do not believe she will prevail. When it comes to "he said/she said" situations without witnesses and a police report, oftentimes the most that comes from it is a possible out of court settlement between the victim and the accused. Statistics show that most rapes go unreported and victims do not always come forward until much later. If you are the victim of sexual assault, you should be able to report the crime-PERIOD. The problem with this is that if you wait to do so, the physical evidence is gone. You will have a tough road ahead trying to convince others what occured. Unfortunately there is the problem with the general public and convincing them that you are not accusing their "star" for financial gain. All of this doesn't seem right, but it is the reality. High profile men with money are easy "targets" for those looking to extort money or power, but young women are easy targets for those with the money and popularity to take advantage of. In this case, we can only hope that if her claims are true she is not scared away by fancy lawyers and loud critics. That she is provided with enough legal counsel and support to follow through with her lawsuit instead of feeling the pressure to back down or settle for anything less than a conviction. A victim of sexual assault deserves to see justice served no matter how long ago the assault took place.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9838764/Criminal-probe-unlikely-in-Roethlisberger-rape-claim

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AsBw7Te8iVxotWFFwfP63OUdsLYF?slug=ap-roethlisbergerlawsuit&prov=ap&type=lgns

Houston Man Charged with Sex Trafficking

Sometimes you don't have to physically assault a person to be charged with a sex crime. You don't have to rape or molest a person to be found guilty and have to register as a sex offender. Barry Davis is facing 10 years in prison for multiple charges. He is being accused of "sex trafficking of a minor and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity". This is a man who is not accused of sexually assaulting anyone, but rather forcing and manipulating underage girls to perform sexual acts. This is a man who, if found guilty, should absolutely have to register as a sex offender after serving the prison term. The young women involved are being taken advantage of by an older man who is looking to profit from their behavior. He is essentially acting as a pimp. Using others to do the dirty work for his own personal gain.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31907541/

New Law in Vermont Takes Effect July 1

When Brooke Bennett disappeared last year, Vermont's first Amber Alert was issued. Her body was found on July 3 near her uncle's home. Brooke was last seen alive with the uncle who was trying to initiate her into a "sex ring". The uncle was a registered sex offender named Michael Jaques who was already facing charges in the assault of another minor. The state of Vermont was widely ridiculed for their laws on sexual predators. This is also the state where Judge Edward Cashman ordered a child molester to serve just 60 days in jail. He has defended that decision saying that the need for treatment in a timely manner is important. Being under such scrutiny, Vermont has finally made some changes. Whether it will be enough is yet to be determined, but at least it's a start.

Governor Jim Douglas signed the bill into effect in March of this year. The online sex offender registry in the state of Vermont will now be expanded. 1,700 offenders will be added along with updated photos and information.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31555488/from/ET/
http://scaredmonkeys.com/category/brooke-bennett/

In Today's News....

On June 25, America was shocked to hear of the deaths of two entertainers. Both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson died on this day. While most reports say how saddened everyone is, there is the controversial talk of Mr. Jackson. Both of these people were in showbiz and made their money from the fans who supported their careers. Although Fawcett didn't garner as much controvery as Jackson, both of these people left this world having made an impact. You read about how loved and worsipped they both were and it is clear by the TV, radio, newspapers and internet reports.

Farrah Fawcett is best known for her one year gig on the show Charlies Angels and of course for the very popular "swimsuit poster" in which she posed in a red bathing suit. Her more memoriable work involved playing a battered woman in the fact based TV movie The Burning Bed, and as a would be rape victim in the play Extremities. She later made the movie of the same name and earned critical acclaim for her work. The Burning Bed was the first TV movie to provide a nationwide 800 number that offered help to victims of domestic violence. She then posed for Playboy at the age of 50. She was confident and beautiful and found freedom doing those portraits. She also opened up her life to the public by documenting her battle with cancer. You can't help but think of her as a strong, independent and fearless female who held her head high.

Michael Jackson rose to stardom at a young age. He exploded into his solo career and broke records. He was also considered "weird" and "eccentric". He filled the tabloids with speculations and questions in every area of his life. He claimed to have never had a childhood, and constantly tried to live out that life. As he got older, he spent more and more time defending his relationships with young boys and facing allegations of sexual abuse. He has never been found guilty, but has been plagued by doubt ever since. So was Mr. Jackson a talented performer who molested children and took advantage of his young, adoring fans? Someone who used his power and fortune to get himself out of trouble time and time again? Or, being an abused child as he has stated, was he just trying to capture that childhood dream and didn't know his boundaries? Was he someone who just loved being around kids, but because of his fame and money was accused of doing harm? Was he just an easy target? Someone who was used and abused by those around him or were the roles switched? He was cleared in a court of law but to some that means nothing, to others, all that matters.

Both of these icons will remain in the public interest for some time and live forever in their accomplishments and misfortunes. They both have families who face the tragedy of losing a loved one and the legacy that that person left behind, whatever that may be.

Beware at the Beach?

During the summer months, crime tends to go up. Schools are closed and people are outside more often and for longer hours. These kinds of things offer more opportunity for crimes to occur. One thing you don't think of is sexual assaults happening in broad daylight. There have been reports in numerous states involving young women being assaulted while they are in the water, or even just near it. Some of these women are swimming and being groped from behind by strangers, others are at public water parks being assaulted. In the summer, it's warm, you wear less clothing, and sometimes even a bathing suit. There is nothing inappropriate about that and yet, it seems to make you even more susceptible to predators. What makes these monsters think it's okay to fondle someone outside enjoying the sunshine?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31490614/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31513278/

Jeffrey Epstein Case Back to Court

Jeffrey Epstein is a billionaire. He is also someone who preys on young girls by paying them for "massages" that turn sexual. Over the course of the last few years, Epstein has been in the news repeatedly for sexual assault. He has been found guilty of soliciting prostitution from underage girls and is currently serving a light sentence. Back in 2007, a woman came forward to say Epstein had had sex with her when she was just 16. The case was dismissed because of the statute of limitations. In 2008 a young woman said she was paid $200 to give the man a massage, but he ended up abusing her. As women kept coming forward, some as young as 13, Epstein was offered a plea deal and plead guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution from underage girls. He was sentenced to just 18 months in jail with one year of house arrest to follow. He will also be registered as a sex offender. Since his sentencing, even more girls have come forward. This year in June, three of the victims' lawyers have asked for Epstein's plea deal to get unsealed. They are calling it the "sweetheart deal" because of the leniency. For a man who is considered a billionaire and who brought most of these young women right into his home, do we really think he will not do this again once he is out of prison? Money equals power and keeps a lot of people from talking. He took advantage of these girls who saw dollar signs and easy cash. Most victims of sexual assault have reservations about coming forward with their story. What if you were a teenage girl who agreed to take money from an older man for a massage and then things went way to far? This is a scary situation for anyone, let alone a young girl who just a teenager.

http://www.wpbf.com/news/19719214/detail.html?taf=wpb

Queen Latifah Speaks Out

Dana Owens who is also known as Queen Latifah, a Cover Girl spokeswoman and a successful rapper and actress, has spoken out about her sexual abuse in Essence Magazine. She was assaulted as a child by a babysitter and discusses how it has affected her into her adulthood. She also talks about telling her family and and seeking therapy to deal with the issues that stem from abuse. To come forward and speak out about abuse takes courage, and to share that with millions of readers in a magazine is admirable. Even our role models and those in the public eye struggle with past demons. It may be helpful to others who are trying to cope with abuse to know that they are not alone in their struggle and that it's okay to talk about it.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31211058/from/ET/

Nine Year Investigation Shows Thousands Were Abused

Ireland is the stage for yet another story of abuse in the Catholic church. A report that is over 2,500 pages reveals physical and sexual abuse along with many other forms of mistreatment of children. Those children are now adults between the ages of 50-80 years old. These victims were orphans or were spending time in reform schools. They were forced to work, subjected to degrading acts, beaten and raped. The report also shows that known pedophiles were working in these institutions and were protected by the Catholic church. Investigations started after the victims pushed for it, but the report does not name the perpetrators. There have been some apologies from the government and church, and both have paid thousands of victims with money. Does naming the perpetrator, apologizing or paying off the victims really do much? How do you measure the emotional and psychological abuse these victims still suffer from? What determines that justice has been served? How does something like this happen for so long to so many people? These are all questions that haven't been answered and probably never will. As much as publishing this report has brought attention to this serious matter, the abusers have paid no price. By protecting the names of the abusers, the lack of accountability is like adding salt to the wound. It shows that there is support for the abuser instead of the victims which seems to be the worse crime of all.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090520/ap_on_re_eu/eu_ireland_catholic_abuse

New Law in Sacramento Should be Naitonwide

In Sacramento, victims of domestic violence now have an option when trying to leave their abuser. When women (and men) live in rental units, they are more likely to be abused. They are also concerned about the consequences of leaving those rental units, even when their safety depends on it. They don't want to be held financially responsible for breaking a lease and ruining any credit history they might have. A new law now allows victims to leave their residence, provided they give a written notice to their landlord, copy of the police report or restraining order, and pay 30 days of rent after the notice was given. They will not be held responsible for anything else if those requirements are met. It seems like this would be true anywhere. Isn't this the obvious way to handle such a situation? Why punish someone who is already paying a huge price? Why wouldn't this be a law in any city or state? By asking for the copy of the police report or restraining order, you can safeguard against those who would take advantage of this law and try to get out of paying rent. Those are the people who don't need the protection this law provides. Leaving an unhealthy and violent situation isn't always easy for the victim. This law makes the decision a little less challenging.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30632092/from/ET/

Tennessee Signs Young Man with a Past

Tennessee has signed Daniel Hood to their football program this fall. Daniel Hood made a terrible mistake when he was 13 years old. Now, 19, he doesn't hide the fact that he helped assault a girl who was raped. His role in this crime landed him in a rehabilitation center. Members of the community have all rallied around him and believe he deserves this opportunity. He has expressed his remorse and even has the support of the victim. Was he a victim himself being coerced into the situation by the older boy who was eventually convicted of the rape? It would be interesting to get more background on this story.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30603971/

Afghan Women Protest New Law

Afghan women gathered in protest trying to convince Parliment to get rid of the new law that puts restrictions on their everyday life. Women would be required to submit to their husbands sexual desires at all times and to seek permission to go to school or have a job outside of the home. These regulations are reminiscent of the Taliban and strip the women of their rights. All these women want is to be treated with respect and enjoy the freedoms that women around the world enjoy. These women are met by angry groups of men who scream profanities and threaten the protesters.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/world/asia/16afghan.html

Mother of Sandra Cantu's Playmate Arrested in Her Murder

On Friday, March 27, eight year old Sandra Cantu of Tracy, California was reported missing. The entire community was on alert and everyone seemed to be looking for "the creepy guy" who must've abducted little Sandra. Sandra Cantu's body was found in a suitcase dumped in an irrigation pond. Someone had killed her and disposed of her tiny body in a terrible way, just two miles from her home. When someone was arrested for her murder, everyone was shocked to find out it was a female. Not only was it a woman, but a 28 year old mother who taught Sunday school and lived just five doors down from the young girl. Melissa Huckaby has a 5 year old daughter who often played with the victim. She was formally charged on Tuesday, April 14 in the death of Sandra Cantu. To make things more heartbreaking, Huckaby is being charged with rape with a foreign object, lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, and murder in the course of a kidnapping. Police say they believe the woman acted alone. This case is so unique because less than 3% of murders have female to female ratio, and less that 7% involve sex. When females are the perpetrators of female victims, it is almost always with a male accomplice. While everyone was looking for "the creepy man, the monster" who did this, a disturbed young woman is believed to be responsible. Her only other criminal history is theft related, and that just adds to the mystery as to why she would've committed such a horrendous crime. How could a mother do this you wonder? How could anyone?

Thousands have attended a memorial for this young girl. The case has been closely followed for the last three weeks by the entire nation. Huckaby is facing the death penalty if convicted. Let's hope that this case is resolved, that Cantu's family receives some answers. They deserve justice.

Suspect In Girl's Slaying Heading To Court
The woman accused of killing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu will appear in court today for the first time.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30210572/from/ET/

http://www.sacbee.com/crime/story/1784086.html

http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/1784086.html

Former U.S. Soldier Being Charged For Murder, Rape

Steven Dale Green is being charged as a civilian for crimes he allegedly committed while serving in the United States Army in Iraq. Green is facing 17 charges after being accused of raping a 14 year old Iraqi girl and then burning her body. A law was passed in 2000 called the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act that allows an ex military man (or woman) like Green to be charged on U.S. soil for crimes committed while serving in another country. There are arguments that possible jurors will not "understand" the situation that Green was in, so therefore will not be able to make an informed decision...What do you need to understand that raping someone is wrong? That raping a child is wrong? Burning their body and killing their family is okay if you're in a battlefield in Iraq? Just because those jurors are civilians, and not military does not mean they do not know right from wrong, even in the most difficult circumstances. Nothing justifies those actions.

Former soldier faces civilian trial in Iraq rape
The first former Army soldier to be charged as a civilian under a 2000 law that allows him to be prosecuted for alleged crimes committed overseas faces a trial of his peers - in a federal courtroom in Kentucky.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30072858/from/ET/

Todays Technology Hosts New Problems to Figure Out

Whether it's "sexting" or posting inappropriate images online, cell phones and the internet make it easier to exploit our youth and overwhelming to keep track of. Sexting is when you send sexually suggestive text messages with your cell phone. It is becoming a huge problem with teenagers and now they are even looking at charging some with child pornography. There is also the case of a 14 year old girl in New Jersey who posted over 30 pictures of herself on MySpace that were sexually explicit, all becuase she wanted her boyfriend to see them. She was arrested and charged with child pornography and distribution. If she is convicted, she would have to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law. The woman behind Megan's Law, whose daughter it is named for does not think this is right. The law was not designed for people like her. Maybe she shouldn't be charged under Megan's Law, but what should happen? She probably does need some counseling, but mostly a lot of parenting. There needs to be a punishment of some sorts or a procedure in place to deal with this problem. It's scary how many cases there are, and no one knows how to deal with them. Three young girls in yet another state are facing the same issues after sending photos to the boys at school with their cell phone. Another girl committed suicide after her ex boyfriend shared racy photos of her with others. We should know what our children are posting on the web, what networking sites they are using and checking their cell phones. Not only is this risky behavior, but the emotions involved are intense. The humilation behind someone sseing the pictures or messages who wasn't supposed to can be too much, especially as a teenager. Trying to monitor what are children are doing can be time consuming and stressful, but look at the alternatives.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29912729/from/ET/

Her teen committed suicide over "sexting"
The perils of teens electronically exchanging suggestive messages were driven home by Cynthia Logan, whose daughter Jesse took her own life at 18 after being taunted over a photo meant only for her boyfriend. "She was being tortured," said the teen's heartbroken mom.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29546030/from/ET/

DNA Evidence Frees Innocent Man

Ronald Cotton spent 11 years of his life in prison for a rape he did not commit. His accuser, Jennifer Thompson-Cannino had helped police draw a sketch of the man who had assaulted her and he had fit the description. The sketch she helped with was her last visual of the man who had raped her. During the police line up, she picked Ronald Cotton out and had no doubts about her decision. He was the one who fit the sketch the best. It just so happens that he closely resembled the actual perpetrator. Jennifer was consumed with guilt when she found out DNA evidence had proved he was not her attacker, but Cotton had already forgiven her. They are now good friends who wrote a book together, "Picking Cotton: A Memoir of Injustice and Redemption". When they speak and appear together, they stress the importance of how our memory can trick us, and how your subconscious works. They would like to see a few changes in the way police do their lineups. It's amazing that they have moved past the terrible crime that connects them, and honorable to see how they have turned a bad experience into something positive.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29613178/from/ET/

Same Person Responsible for 13 Rapes?

Students at both Kansas State and the University of Kansas have been alerted by school officials to be extra cautious during spring break, which begins next week. Over the last eight years, 13 rapes have occured at the two school campuses during school breaks. Investigators believe the same person could be responsible due to similiarities in the attacks. The schools have put warnings up on their websites and different groups have handed out pamphlets on and off campus. The schools have even emailed students to get the word out, and have alerted the community to be on the lookout. This is a great approach to draw awareness and take preventative measures. The schools are showing support for a very serious issue that affects many young people, especially during the college years.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/03/12/kansas.spring.break.rapes/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Does GPS Monitoring of Sex Offenders Work?

When convicted sex offenders are fitted with GPS monitoring devices we assume that someone is watching their every move and ensuring the safety of those around them. GPS will tell you where an offender is or was, but it doesn't tell you what he or she is doing at the time. GPS is a valuable tool in corroborating an offenders alibi or confession, but only after that crime has already been attempted or committed. Experts say GPS needs to work with other programs to be successful, and not to count on an ankle bracelet to deter an offender from committing another crime.

Darrin Sanford is a homeless convicted sex offender who was wearing a GPS device when he killed a 13 year girl after attempting to rape her. The young girl had been warned to stay away from the area in which she was assaulted, but she went anyway. It certainly doesn't mean she deserved what happened to her. She was a teen. A young girl who felt confident enough to walk through that field. Her family did what they could by warning her of the dangers. They were trying to protect her. Darrin Sanford took advantage of the situation and killed her when he couldn't do what he intended. The GPS did not stop him from committing this terrible crime, but why was he out in the streets anyway? He had been in trouble before for not registering as a sex offender, so how many chances does he get? His offenses went back 10 years, and now a young girl is dead and a family devastated.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/03/12/sex.offender.gps/index.html

Oprah's Magazine Shares Stories from Male Survivors

David France talks with men who have survived sexual abuse and their wives in Oprah's magazine "O". 1 in 6 men will be sexually abused in their lifetime, and more often than not, they stay silent about it. In this article, three men share their stories and their struggle with their relationships. Their marriages have suffered, but their wives have stood by and are invovled in the healing process. A lot of times, intimacy issues come up when the victims become involved in a healthy relationship. The individuals responsible for the abuse have not only altered the victims life, but all the people around that person. This goes for their wives, girlfriends, partners, parents, children and anyone else they may be close to. It affects so many more people than we think, and seems to take on a domino effect.
With any victim of sexual violence, it's hard to come forward and report the abuse, but with men and young boys, there are even more victims who stay silent. They tend to feel ashamed and embarrassed that they couldn't stop the perpetrator and even worry that the abuse defines their sexuality. Sexual abuse knows no boundaries and doesn't discriminate. These men were strong enough to come forward and discuss the most intimate stages in their lives. We should all be thankful that they were brave enough to shatter the silence.
http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200810_omag_sexual_abuse/1

"Operation Cross Country" Works to Combat the Abuse of Children

Twenty-nine cities took part in "Operation Cross Country", and 48 minors were found in the raids. Nationwide, over 500 adults were arrested and charged with prostitution related charges. Prostitution has been a problem all over the country for years, but more and more minors seem to be involved. Whether they selling their bodies by force or by "choice", these young people are being taken advantage of. Some of the prostitutes are as young as 12 years old.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1445413,child-prostitution-crackdown-022309.article

Rapelay Game Pulled From Amazon.com

Rapelay is a "game" in which the player is supposed to gang rape a group of women. The player is then supposed to force the woman to have an abortion. This sick game was released in 2006 in and was made available for purchase on Amazon.com before a slew of complaints got it off the website. The game is one of many developed by Illusion that is sexually violent. It's a little unnerving to try and think of who plays this game...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/4611161/Rapelay-virtual-rape-game-banned-by-Amazon.html

Now Facebook Removes Sex Offenders

Since May of 2008, 5,500 convicted sex offenders have been removed from Facebook. Recently, MySpace announced it had removed more than 90,000 sex offenders so it's nice to know that Facebook has followed suit. Out of 175 million users, it's hard to say if 5,500 is a strong number, or if there are many more to be found. Facebook's policy is said to state that "no convicted sex offender be allowed to keep a facebook page", which is a great start in keeping sexual predators off of the site. All of the networking sites have to do their part to keep their site safe. They are praised for keeping people connected, but have all been in trouble with the public and sometimes the law. The more they can do to keep their sites user friendly, the better.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29289048/from/ET/

Happy Birthday PAVE!

Today marks PAVE's 8 year anniversary. As PAVE and other organizations like it continue to raise awareness and "shatter the silence", we have slowly seen more incidents reported, more support from society and less tolerance for sexual violence. We have learned that sexual violence doesn't discriminate between men and women, age, race, social class or any other factor. PAVE has come a long way, but sexual violence is still a major problem. As much work that has been done to bring awareness to this issue, there is always more to do, more to say, more to fight for.

It used to be a more "private" matter that wasn't talked about with the public, or sometimes even family. Now, we ask that you speak out and stand up for yourself and what is right. We want to know what happened, and how we can try to prevent it from happening again. We want other survivors of sexual assault to know that they are not alone, and that someone understands. We want to see perpetrators punished for their crimes and not be allowed to make someone else their next victim. We want the legal system to do their part and protect the ones who are not at fault. We ask that the media reports its' stories in a fair manner, using appropriate language and terms that aren't victim blaming. These are all things we hope to accomplish with organizations like PAVE.

The unfortunate thing is that when I am looking for stories for this blog, I am never at a loss. There is always an abundance of stories in the news from the entire United States, and around the world. Even when I am not looking for something new, someone emails me a disturbing story or video. I am not sure how to sort through all of these sometimes, and try to find stories with the most information, or even one with an aspect of sexual violence that hasn't been discussed or brought up in a while. Even in my personal life, I am still amazed at how many people I know or who I have met who have been victims of sexual violence. I meet others who have been affected because they are close to a victim or even a perpetrator. I believe this makes them a victim also, just in a differnt sense. I hope that with the support of the public, continued donataions, and the hard work of PAVE leadership and friends, PAVE can continue to be the voice for victims of sexual violence. Happy birthday to PAVE. It can help take you from victim to survivor.

Sad but true. When I said I am never at a loss for stories, look at what I found in an hour....

Police: Suspect Has Molested Children For Decades
Jeffersonville police have arrested a 50-year-old man who they said has been molesting children for decades.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28801100/from/ET/

Former HCSO Detective Accused Of Molesting Child
A former detective is in custody, accused of assaulting a girl multiple times, KPRC Local 2 reports.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28814555/from/ET/

Deputy Accused Of Child Sex Assault Warned To Stay Away
A former detective accused of sexually assaulting a child is told by a judge to not have any contact with the girl, KPRC Local 2 reports.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28814562/from/ET/

Port St. Lucie Father Arrested In Sex Sting
A Port St. Lucie father is accused of trying to trade his 2-year-old daughter for sex.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28794803/from/ET/

Roseburg man convicted in 2001 sex attacks
An Oregon man has been convicted of sexually assaulting two teenage girls in an Orange County home eight years ago.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28794448/from/ET/

Child Sex Convict Won't Be Called "Predator"
71-year-old Eugene W. Vahlenkamp, from Waukesha, was convicted in state and federal court in the early 1990s of sexually assaulting two brothers from the Green Bay area. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28815478/from/ET/

90,000 Sex Offenders Removed from MySpace

MySpace has identified and removed over 90,000 sex offenders from their site. Although people of all ages seem to be on MySpace, young people are online more than anyone and are the most vulnerable. Most everyone knows what MySpace is, or has at least heard of it. MySpace is a social networking site that has over 100 million users around the world. Sites like MySpace and Facebook allow users to communicate with each other, share photos, music, videos, and have access to personal information. This is a great way to form relationships and network, but it can also be dangerous for some. Even PAVE has reached out to people via Facebook, and it brought more attention to our cause. For years we have heard about online relationships gone wrong (and yes, sometimes right) and the stories where false information was given. The stories where someone was lead to believe the person they "met" is entirely different in real life. We are told to be aware of what you read and who you "meet" online. Have you heard the Brad Paisley song? "I'm so much cooler online...." He has this awesome persona on the internet, but in reality he lives in his parents basement and is an overweight geek. Social networking sites are responsible for making sure their site is safe for everyone, but especially for the young people who are the most active users. MySpace is using a database called Sentinel SAFE which keeps track of the names, descriptions and other characteristics of registered sex offenders. This database can help identify the sex offenders so that they can be tracked and removed from the site. MySpace helps us connect with people all around the world and keep in touch with friends and family. It has been a huge stepping stone for people, businesses, and causes. For all the good it is doing, we must always be aware of the people who will use it with bad intentions. Thank you to MySpace for getting rid of the sex offenders. Let's hope you continue to keep an eye for them and that other sites like Facebook will follow suit.

To read more on this story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28999365/from/ET/

Missing 15 Year Old Boy Found With Sex Offender

Lucas Kemmerle was finally found in South Carolina. The Ohio youth has been missing for two weeks and was found with a registered sex offender. Kemmerle was found with twenty-two year old Zachary Wisor, who is facing numerous charges including a federal offense for living unregistered in another state.
http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/state_regional/article/teen_goes_missing_for_2_weeks_found_with_sex_offender/12108/

Man Rapes Girlfriends Son

In Massachusettes, a man raped his girlfriends seven year old son. The little boy told his mother what happened and she reported it to the police. Forty-two year old Robert Fleury was arrested and is facing multiple charges. Fleury will be back in court on February 18.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28771793/from/ET/

Wisconsin Mayor Gary Becker Charged with Sex Crimes

The mayor of Racine, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee was caught attempting to meet a fourteen year old girl he had met online. The fourteen year old girl was actually an undercover female agent. Becker is a married man with two children of his own. Sexually explicit material was found on his computer and he is facing multiple charges.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28660061/from/ET/

Four Men Rape Lesbian

In December, a 28 year old woman was accosted by four males, two adults and two juveniles. This was in San Francisco, while the woman was walking across the street. The men proceeded to brutally rape the woman, who was an openly gay lesbian. They taunted her and raped her repeatedly before stealing her wallet and vehicle. All four men have been arrested and the assault is considered a hate crime. This is a heinous crime, and the perpetrators should receive the stiffest penalties.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/01/01/2009-01-01_arrests_made_in_gang_rape_of_san_francis.html

Looking for Laura Garza

On December 3, 2008, Laura Garza disappeared. She was last seen with a serial sex offender named Michael Mele. They were last seen leaving a New York club. Mele is 23 years old and has a long list of offenses for which he was on probation. He has been arrested for violating that probation for drinking at a club on the night in question. Although he has not yet been charged wtih anything for Laura Garza, police have searched his home and the surrounding areas. They have found womens clothing, and Mele had bite marks and scratches when he was arrested. Why this man was not serving jail time for his previious crimes, or being monitored more closely is something to question and very disturbing. To read more and to see the other related stories regarding this case:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/12/13/2008-12-13_laura_garzas_brothers_join_search_for_he.html