Wacky Internet Predator Wednesday – 31
What a week… another good round-up of Internet predators for you to check out. Remember that PC Pandora computer monitoring software is a valuable tool in keeping your kids out of harm’s way… more specifically, in the way of a predator. It’s not a matter of privacy; it’s a matter of being aware.
Anyway, here are the summaries. Detailed stories and their home links follow. Enjoy!
- A 35-year-old from Alabama pled guilty to 22 counts of charges involving sexual exploitation of children, including one count of possession of child pornography, two counts of production of child pornography, two counts of transferring obscene matter to a minor, 14 counts of interstate travel with the intent to engage in a sex act with a minor, one count of transporting a minor over state lines for sexual purposes and one count of coercing and enticing a minor to travel for unlawful sexual activity. What a nice guy.
- A 56-year-old Florida man was sentenced to 5 years in state prison and 5 years probation for previously travelling from Jacksonville to meet what he thought was a 13 year old girl he’d been chatting with on line.
- From over the northern border: a 25-year-old Edmonton man is facing multiple sex charges after allegedly luring a 12-year-old city girl on the Internet and then sexually assaulting her in his car. So, boys and girls, this one does involve a real life victim. Put that in your stat bowl.
- Three douchebags that live together in North Carolina (two men in the late 30s and a woman in her late 20s) were arrested after deputies say they posted explicit pictures of a 10-year-old on MySpace. The investigation showed all three suspects posted explicit photos of the girl on three separate MySpace accounts starting in August of 2008. Also during the investigation, deputies determined Wood allegedly physically assaulted and sexually battered a 17-year-old girl. Another real-life victim.
- A 21-year-old man in Nebraska is facing charges of sexual assault from – get this – so far, 17 women, and more keep coming forward. Some he met in chance encounters… others he formed relationships with on MySpace. Yup. 17 girls have come forward to say he assaulted them.
Here are the ffull stories…
Jan. 29, 2009
Huntsville man pleads guilty to child exploitation chargesA Huntsville man has pleaded guilty to 22 counts of charges involving sexual exploitation of children, according to U.S. Attorney Alice Martin.
John Lawson Simons, 35, of Huntsville pleaded guilty to the charges in U.S. District Court in Huntsville.
Martin said Simons faces up to 65 years or more in federal prison on all charges. All counts carry a fine of up to $250,000.
No sentencing date was immediately scheduled.
The charges include one count of possession of child pornography, two counts of production of child pornography, two counts of transferring obscene matter to a minor, 14 counts of interstate travel with the intent to engage in a sex act with a minor, one count of transporting a minor over state lines for sexual purposes and one count of coercing and enticing a minor to travel for unlawful sexual activity.
“Parents and guardians are reminded that Internet predators are out there ready to do our children harm,” stated Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham Field Division. “All parents need to be vigilant in supervising their children’s Internet use, and all children need to be aware that an apparent Internet friend may turn out to be just the opposite in real life.”
Jan 29, 2009
Internet Predator Sent to Prison
By Julie Montanaro, WCTV ReporterOur cameras were rolling when he arrived to meet a teenage girl for sex and they were rolling Thursday when he was led away to prison.
Jerry Leon is one of the first men to be sentenced under a new Florida law that mandates longer prison sentences for those internet predators willing to put down the mouse and get behind the wheel.
56 year old Jerry Leon – clad in a blue windbreaker and wire rim glasses – stood with his hands behind his back as he entered a no contest plea and was sentenced to five years in state prison and five years probation.
It could have been worse. He faced up to 35 years behind bars.
“The consequences are so severe that good sense says take it and run,” said Leon’s Attorney, Robert Harper, of the plea deal.
Leon was arrested outside a Killearn convenience store back in November of 2007.
He was arrested in a sting after travelling from Jacksonville to meet what he thought was a 13 year old girl he’d been chatting with on line.
He was met by FDLE agents instead, who say the on line chat became sexually graphic right away.
“This case turned to sex quite quickly. It was about a month of talk on the internet before he wanted to meet,” said Mike Phillips with FDLE’s Computer Crimes Unit.
Leon was among the first to be sentenced under a new Florida law that requires a minimum five year sentence for any internet predator willing to travel to meet his prey.
After giving a DNA sample and inking his fingerprints, the husband and father was taken into custody to begin doing time.
An Edmonton man is facing multiple sex charges after allegedly luring a 12-year-old city girl on the Internet and then sexually assaulting her in his car.
Brian Allan Cockell, 25, made a brief appearance in provincial court yesterday and is slated to be back in court tomorrow morning.
The accused sex offender represented himself although he told the judge he had contacted a lawyer and had expected him to show up in court on his behalf.
Bail was not spoken to and Cockell was remanded in custody after reserving his election and plea.
Cockell is facing three separate charges of Internet luring, one count of sexual assault, one count of sexual interference with a person under 14, one count of overcoming resistance by administering a stupefying or overpowering drug and one count of abducting a child under 14.
The alleged stupefying drug was not identified.
The separate Internet luring charges relate to Cockell allegedly trying to get the victim to send him sexual pictures of herself, which would be classified as child pornography, trying to lure the girl so she could be sexually interfered with and luring her so she could be abducted.
According to court records, Cockell is listed as living at a residence in southeast Edmonton. The court records say the alleged luring offences occurred between Nov. 1 and Jan. 19 and the alleged abduction and sex attack happened on Jan. 1.
ARRESTED ON TUESDAY
Cockell was arrested by police on Tuesday night and put into custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre following a hearing with a justice of the peace.Police are expected to issue a news release today and were not providing any details of the case yesterday.
There is a court-ordered ban on publication of the identity of the alleged victim.
Corey Martell, spokesman with Beyond Borders Edmonton, said there are things parents can do to protect their children from Internet predators and that starts with being comfortable using a computer.
“Parents should arm themselves with some information and not let their kids dictate computer use,” she said.
In addition, parents should take advantage of programs that block sites that may not be suitable for children, and talk to their kids about staying safe on the Internet.
It’s also a good idea to keep computers in a busy, common area of the home where parents can occasionally check to see what’s on the screen. And if computers come equipped with webcams, parents should ensure they know when and what they are being used for.
‘KEEP UP WITH THE TIMES’
“It’s really important for parents to keep up with the times,” Martell said.“In other words, they should try and know what their kids know and what sites their kids use.”
Parents can check the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s website at www.protectchildren.ca for more information on keeping their children safe.
Jan 30, 2009
Sheriff: Suspects Posted Explicit Photos Of 10-Year-Old On Myspace
By Chelsi ZashThree people were arrested after deputies say they posted explicit pictures of a 10-year-old on three separate Myspace profiles.
Linwood, NC — Three people were arrested after deputies say they posted explicit pictures of a 10-year-old on Myspace.
Davidson County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 39-year-old Shawn Wood, 28-year-old Amanda Wingler, and 37-year-old Tommy Wingler after a continued investigation of possible sexual offense involving a 10-year-old girl.
The investigation showed all three suspects posted explicit photos of the girl on three separate Myspace accounts starting in August of 2008.
Also during the investigation, deputies determined Wood allegedly physically assaulted and sexually battered a 17-year-old girl.
All three suspects live at the same residence in Linwood, NC.
Wood was charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of child, one count assault on a female and one count sexual battery. He was placed in the Davidson County Jail under a $25,000 bond.
Amanda Wingler and Tommy Wingler were both charged with sexual exploitation of a child. They were place in the Davidson County Jail under a $500 bond each.
Feb 3, 2009
More Women Coming Forward in Bellevue Sex Assault Investigation
By Todd Unger, KPTM-TVBELLEVUE (KPTM) – At the Bellevue Police Department, this isn’t an open and shut case, according to Detective Craig Wiech.
“Once I started the investigation, I learned quickly that there may be a lot of women involved,” says Wiech.
Over the weekend, four more women came forward alleging that 21-year-old Spencer Osler-White sexually assaulted them.
That makes the total number of women who are talking 17 and counting.
“He was not shy about meeting new girls. He would actually befriend friends of friends upon initial contact,” says Wiech, the lead investigator on the case.
Many of the girls coming forward are teen girls, and while some only met White through chance encounters, police say others developed relationships with the man using the popular site MySpace.
It’s becoming a more common tool for sexual predators and abusers.
Brandon Rohe the program director for R.E.S.P.E.C.T., a group that tries to enlighten teens about potential problems of abuse in relationships.
His group is staging a fierce campaign this month to highlight teen assaults and violence.
He says if you begin a relationship online as a teenager, it’s potentially very dangerous.
“MySpace, Facebook are great social networking tools but at the same there’s that danger out there with you don’t know exactly who you’re meeting,” says Rohe.
Detective Wiech agrees, and says parents can hold the key.
In the White case, he says some parents thought something was wrong, but others didn’t realize what was happening until it was too late.
It’s a predicament that can be easily fixed at home.
“Have access to the kids accounts, whether it’s MySpace or other sites so they can see who they’re talking to, what kind of information is being passed,” he says.
Detective Wiech says White is currently facing seven charges, ranging from sexual contact with a child to first-degree sexual assault.
He is currently in the Sarpy County Jail, and has waived his preliminary hearing.
