Wacky Internet Predator Wednesday – #34
It’s everyone’s favorite day of the week! Time for my weekly round-up of those nasty-ass scumbags arrested for trying to have sex with kids online.
Every time you read one of these stories, it should serve as a reminder that you may trust your child online (stupid move in itself), but you can’t trust everyone else. You can, however, trust me when I say that these guys are real, they are online and they are trying to have sex with kids. There are no ifs, ands or buts.
So here is a summary of 20 guys that were arrested within the past couple of weeks for doing just that. The stories follow. As always, remember that you have the help from the best computer monitoring software around – PC Pandora – available to you! I guarantee you will feel better, be more effective and know for sure if your kids are safe or if they are taking stupid risks.
- Attorney General Tom Corbett (PA) is at it again! Agents from his Child Predator Unit arrested five men last week, all accused of using the Internet to sexually proposition what they believed were children.
- Twelve men were arrested in Arizona in connection with a two-month Internet predator investigation! Wow!
- A 54-year-old Virginia man was convicted of soliciting what he thought was a 13 year old girl online. The arrest was from last summer.
- A 21-year-old teacher in Florida was arrested and fired after police linked him to several sexually-explicit communications made with at least three students through MySpace. No physical contact was made, but you can see here why this is a hugely concerning issue.
Now, the last story I put below does not involve minors. But it does involve rape and MySpace. A 28-year-old man from WA is being charged with raping two women he met through MySpace. The women are 21 and 24 years old. Still, just a nice little reminder to everyone that you can’t trust anyone you meet online. It’s also a reminder to parents that jerks like this ARE ON SOCIAL NETWORKS!!
There are the full stories…
March 5th, 2009
DuBois Man Among Five Arrested in Child Predator InvestigationsHARRISBURG — Attorney General Tom Corbett announced that agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested five men during the past week, all accused of using the Internet to sexually proposition what they believed were children.
One of the men arrested was a 44-year-old DuBois man.
Corbett said that in one of the cases, a Montgomery County man allegedly took advantage of heavy snow and school cancellations in the Philadelphia area to arrange a meeting with what he believed was a 13-year old girl. The “girl” was actually an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit.
In the other four cases, Corbett said that suspects from Clearfield, Elk and Northumberland counties, along with a New Jersey resident, are accused of using Internet chat rooms and message-sharing programs to send sexually explicit webcam videos to what they believed were young girls.
“These cases demonstrate how quickly Internet conversations can escalate to sexually graphic discussions or plans for face-to-face meetings, sometimes within a matter of minutes,” Corbett said. “Internet predators are actively searching websites, chat rooms and discussion groups for potential young victims, and it is essential that parents regularly discuss Internet safety with their children and monitor their online activities.”
Corbett said that since its creation in 2005, the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit has arrested 196 men from across Pennsylvania, and as far away as Florida and Kentucky. To-date, the unit has a 100% conviction rate.
Corbett identified the defendants as:
- Walter Morse Dewitt, 45, Delran, NJ.
- Brian Heslop, 41,Schwenksville, Montgomery County.
- Donald E. Jacobson, 44, Dubois, Clearfield County.
- Shane Allen Washburn, 27, Johnsonburg, Elk County.
- Dennis Leigh Bastian, 51, Milton, Northumberland County.
Walter Morse Dewitt
Corbett said Dewitt allegedly used an Internet chat room to contact an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit who was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl.According to the criminal complaint, Dewitt allegedly sent the girl a photo of his penis during their second online chat, asking her, “have you ever thought of that before,” and telling her, “I want you to like it.”
Corbett said that Dewitt allegedly discussed meeting the girl and described in graphic detail the sex acts he wished to perform. Dewitt is also accused of using an Internet webcam to send nude videos to the girl and encouraging her to visit pornographic websites.
Dewitt was taken into custody by authorities in New Jersey on Feb. 25, based on information provided by agents from the Child Predator Unit. After waiving extradition, Dewitt was transported to Harrisburg on March 4 where he was preliminarily arraigned before Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge Michael Smith.
Dewitt is charged with five counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual performances) and one count of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Dewitt was released on $75,000 bail. He was ordered to not have any unsupervised contact with minors and is prohibited from any use of the Internet that is not legitimately work-related.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 13th, at 9 a.m., before Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge Joseph S. Solomon.
Brian Heslop
Corbett said that Heslop allegedly used an Internet chat room to approach an undercover agent on February 26th, asking to exchange photos with what he believed was a 13-year old girl and telling her, “I only have x-rated pics.” During that initial conversation, Heslop allegedly asked the girl a series of graphic questions about her sexual experience.According to the criminal complaint, Heslop approached the girl a second time on March 2, as the Philadelphia area was in the midst of a heavy snow storm. Heslop allegedly asked the girl if she had a school “snow day” and if her mother had left her home alone.
Corbett said that Heslop allegedly proceeded to send the girl several nude photos of himself. He is also accused of instructing the girl to masturbate and arranging to meet the girl for sex later that day.
Heslop was arrested by agents from the Child Predator Unit, along with Lower Providence Police, at approximately 2:45 p.m. on March 2, when he arrived at a predetermined meeting location.
Corbett said that at the time of his arrest, Heslop was allegedly driving a vehicle and wearing clothing that matched de scri ptions he allegedly provided during online chats earlier that day.
Heslop is charged with one count of unlawful contact with a minor (related to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse), a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
He is also charged with one count of unlawful contact with a minor (related to statutory sexual assault), a second-degree felony punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Additionally, Heslop is charged with one count of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual performances) and one count of criminal use of a computer, both third degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Heslop was preliminarily arraigned on March 2nd before Collegeville Magisterial District Judge Benjamin R. Crahalla and lodged in the Montgomery County prison in lieu of $250,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12, at 10 a.m., before Magisterial District Judge Crahalla.
Donald E. Jacobson
Corbett said that Jacobson allegedly used an Internet chat room to contact an undercover agent who was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl.According to the criminal complaint, Jacobson engaged in a series of sexually explicit chats with the girl. Jacobson also allegedly proposed meeting the girl for sex and provided detailed de scri ptions of the sex acts he wished to engage in.
Corbett said that Jacobson repeatedly cautioned the girl to not tell anyone else about their sexual chats, warning her, “if anyone found out… I’d be put in jail.” Jacobson also urged the girl to get a digital camera or cell phone camera so that she could send him semi-nude or nude photos of herself.
Jacobson was arrested on March 2 by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by officers from the Sandy Township Police Department.
Jacobson is charged with six counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual performances) and two counts of criminal use of a computer, all third degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Jacobson was preliminarily arraigned before Dubois Magisterial District Judge Patrick N. Ford and lodged in the Clearfield County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 6 before Magisterial District Judge Ford.
Shane Allen Washburn
Corbett said that Washburn allegedly used Internet chat rooms to engage in a series of online chats with an undercover agent who was using the online profile of a 13-year old girl. During a number of those chats, Washburn allegedly posed as a 15-year old boy.According to the criminal complaint, Washburn used a webcam on six different occasions to transmit sexually graphic photos and videos to the girl.
Washburn was arrested on March 2 by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by officers from the Johnsonburg Police Department.
Washburn is charged with six counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual performances) and six counts of criminal use of a computer, all third degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Washburn was preliminarily arraigned on March 2 and lodged in the Elk County Jail in lieu of $25,000 straight bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 11, at 2 p.m., before Johnsonburg Magisterial District Judge George A. King.
Dennis Leigh Bastian
Corbett said that Bastian allegedly used an Internet chat room to contact an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit who was using the identity of a 14-year old girl. At the time, Bastian allegedly posed as a 17-year old boy.During the initial online chat, Bastian allegedly asked the girl if her mom was home and then asked her if she would “like to see what I have in my hand.” At that point, Bastian allegedly activated a webcam and transmitted video of his exposed penis.
Corbett said that Bastian is accused of instructing the girl to masturbate and sending her video files of adults engaging in sexual activity. Additionally, Bastian allegedly sent a series of nude photos and sexually explicit webcam videos to the girl.
Bastian was arrested at his home on March 3 by agents from the Child Predator Unit. He is charged with 12 counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexual performances) and one count of criminal use of a computer, all third degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
Bastian was preliminarily arraigned in Northumberland County Night Court, before Magisterial District Judge Michael Maychak and lodged in the Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 11th, at 10 a.m., before Milton Magisterial District Judge William F. Kear.
Corbett said that Dewitt will be prosecuted in Dauphin County, Heslop will be prosecuted in Montgomery County and Bastian will be prosecuted in Northumberland County, all by Deputy Attorney General Michael A. Sprow, of the Child Predator Unit.
Corbett said that Jacobson will be prosecuted in Clearfield County and Washburn will be prosecuted in Elk County, both by Deputy Attorney General William F. Caye II of the Child Predator Unit.
Internet Dangers
Corbett urged parents to regularly discuss Internet safety with their children.“Predators are using popular websites to search for potential victims, in many cases sending sexually graphic messages or photos during their first chat” Corbett said. “It is essential for parents to regularly discuss online safety with their children and encourage teens and pre-teens to immediately report anyone who tries to send them sexually explicit messages, photos or videos.”
Corbett said that some predators try to arrange meetings with kids, while others send nude photos or sexually explicit videos – often within the first few minutes of an initial online chat. Computer and cell phone technology makes it fast and easy to send messages or images, and many of the men arrested by the Child Predator Unit began sexually graphic discussions during their first online conversations with what they believed were children.
Corbett added that cold weather has increased the online activity of both children and Internet predators. Since the start of January, agents from the Child Predator Unit have arrested 18 Internet predator suspects, and agents have made a total of 42 arrests so far this fall and winter.
Suspected Internet predators can be reported by contact the Attorney General’s Child Predator Hotline, at 1-800-385-1044, or filing an online complaint using the “Report a predator” link on the front page of the Attorney General’s Web site.
Internet safety tips and other information are available in the “Operation Safe Surf” and “Just for Kids” sections of the Attorney General’s website. Organizations interested in materials, speakers or presentations, contact the Attorney General’s Education and Outreach Office at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov.
Related:
- Predator Unit Arrests J’Burg Man
1490 NewsBlog - Alleged ‘snow day’ predator one of five arrested
By Peter Mucha, Inquirer Staff Writer - Two charged with Internet predation
Courier-Express - Two Sexual Predators Busted in Snow Day Internet Sting
by KYW’s Brad Segall
Expert says MySpace meeting should be a warning to parents
Ryan Famuliner, WNDUAuthorities say two girls are lucky to be safe and sound tonight.
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man is behind bars after police say a teenager he met on MySpace, and the girl’s 11-year-old sister, met with him in person Wednesday night.
Police say a 16-year-old Elkhart girl met 26-year-old Matthew Sanders about two weeks ago on MySpace.
Sanders is now being held on a preliminary charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
While police continue to investigate, an expert says this should be a warning to other parents to keep an eye on what their kids are doing online.
Elkhart police believe the 16-year-old met Matthew Sanders on MySpace, where he posed as a 19-year-old from Mishawaka, about two weeks ago
“It’s a very common occurrence of people meeting on social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook; it’s very common that the people set up profiles lying about their information, who they are, how old they are,” said Mitch Kajzer.
Another strange detail: Sander’s web-page listed himself as married, and he lately referred to his wife as “Steph.” The 16-year-old’s name is Stephanie, and there are pictures of her on his web page.
Kajzer, who worked on the now-defunct high tech crimes team with the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s office, says it’s alarming how often minors enter into the picture in these online meetings.
“The actual adults meeting children online; it’s scary how frequently it does happen and how often people would meet with me thinking I was a child,” Kajzer said.
The scenario Kajzer used to simulate undercover came true last night.
Luckily, police were able to find Sanders and the girls quickly in Mishawaka, after tips from the girls’ mother, and the mother of one of Sanders’ children.
“It seemed kind of odd that the 16-year-old took her 11-year-old sister along with her. I guess it kind of shows that she really thought there was absolutely no danger,” Kajzer said.
Meanwhile, Kajzer says paying attention to what your kids are doing online, and possibly even installing monitoring software, is almost a must these days.
“A kid will scream, ‘it’s an invasion of my privacy you can’t look at my stuff!’ No. Any kid living in a house with an adult, any parent should be reviewing and seeing what their kids are doing online,” Kajzer said.
Sanders was also wanted on a warrant out of Washington state for a drug offense, and residential entry.
Meanwhile, Elkhart police say the two girls are not really cooperating with this investigation, so at this point all they could charge Sanders with is the misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Meanwhile, Kajzer says files on Sanders’ or the teenager’s computers could be incriminating, as well as their personal files on MySpace.
But police say they do not have probable cause to seize those items at this point.
Related:
MISSING ELKHART TEENS FOUND; MAN ARRESTED
Tribune Staff Report
March 4, 2009
Suspected Internet Predators Arrested
KPHO-TV/ CBS 5TEMPE, Ariz. — Twelve Valley residents have been arrested in connection with a two-month Internet predator investigation, Tempe police officials said on Wednesday.
The operation targeted Internet criminals committing sex crimes against children, including trafficking unlawful images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.
“The crimes are so horrific, it would shock the conscience if we were to go into great detail today about the sex crimes that these pedophiles are committing against our children,” said Tempe Police Chief Tom Ryff. “These are crimes that are not easily observed, not easily witnessed and not easily investigated.”
The men were arrested mainly for viewing, downloading and/or sharing child pornography on the Internet. Officials wouldn’t say if the victims were local.
Investigators did not go into specifics on each case because they still have to prosecute.
Police officials said pedophiles are using not only the Internet, but cell phones and interactive games like X-Box to victimize children.
The investigation was led by the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Ten local and Federal law enforcement agencies worked in partnership with several prosecutorial agencies.
The Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force efforts are partially funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and is managed by the Phoenix Police Department.
The Tempe Police Department said a grant from the Pascua Yaqui Indian Tribe in 2008 helped to create an Internet Crimes Against Children Unit to augment and support the efforts of the statewide task force.
Henrico Man Convicted
WTVR-TV/ CBS 6Here’s the release from the Louisa County Commonwealth’s Attorney:
- CSI Louisa continues working to protect our children -
54-year-old Henrico man convicted of soliciting 13 year old in undercover operation
Louisa – Today, Louisa County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tom Garrett announced the conviction of Julian Martin, 54, of Henrico, for soliciting a 13-year-old over the internet for sex.
The case was scheduled for a jury trial this morning but instead the defendant appeared and plead guilty without an agreement.
Since its inception, Louisa’s Child Safety Initiative (CSI-Louisa) has worked to crack down on sexual predators. Julian Martin is the fourth conviction this year and four other cases are pending.
Recently, a Louisa jury recommended a 14 year sentence for former Howard University Soccer Coach Joseph Okoh after he violated the same law.
Louisa’s initiative takes a proactive approach, policing the internet to catch those who prey on children.
The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Commonwealth’s Attorney make protecting children a top priority.
Over the last year, their collective efforts have resulted in convictions of predators from Henrico, Arlington, Virginia Beach and Bowling Green.
Ironically, no past or pending cases involve predators from Louisa itself.
Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Rusty McGuire notes that the fight to protect children in continues. “We know that these predators will travel, often hours, this level of motivation only causes us to redouble our efforts.
Predators are serving decades in prison but the fight is not over.”
In today’s case, Julian Martin used an AOL chat for the Richmond metro area to solicit a 13-year-old female. After talking about bringing beer and wine for the teen, the conversation turned explicitly sexual.
Martin asked the teen if she became “frisky” after drinking, asking to meet at a Louisa area business.
He arrived with alcohol, and stated that he planned to take the child “on a date.” Instead of a 13 year-old girl, Martin was met Louisa Sheriff’s deputies and has remained in jail since his arrest on July 2, 2008.
“If I’d have known it was a set-up, I wouldn’t have driven out,” Martin stated in an interview with detectives.
Rusty McGuire added, “Another predator is off the street. The Department of Justice estimates that there are 50,000 more predators online at any moment.
Education is the first line of defense. When that doesn’t happen, children remain vulnerable.
We have made it our mission to protect the most vulnerable among us. If you attempt to exploit children in Louisa, you will be brought to justice.”
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) is one of four prongs of the CSI-Louisa initiative.
Others include proactive monitoring of registered sex offenders, a resource website, and an education component developed by Garrett and McGuire targeted at youth, parents, and educators recognized as among the nation’s best.
Martin will be sentenced in June.
PEMBROKE PINES – A Broward County Schools employee has been fired after police linked him to several sexually-explicit communications made with at least three students through MySpace, according to Pembroke Pines police.
George Edilberto Francis, 21, of Pembroke Pines, has been charged with sexual performance by a child and transmission of harmful material to a minor in connection with the incidents, police said.
Police were tipped off after a 12-year-old female student’s parent discovered an inappropriate MySpace chat which contained sexually-explicit communications, police said. Further investigation by police uncovered additional inappropriate communications between the suspect and two other juveniles, police said.
The 12-year-old victim apparently knew the suspect from her previous elementary school. Pines Lakes Elementary School, police said.
No inappropriate physical contact was ever made between the suspect and victims, police said.The Broward County School Board, in conjunction with Pembroke Pines police, has issued a letter to all Pines Lakes Elementary School parents informing them of the incident. The letter requests that anyone who may have engaged in inappropriate communications with Francis to contact the Broward County School Board or Pembroke Pines Police.
Francis is no longer employed by Broward County Schools.
Anyone with additional information regarding the case is asked to call Pembroke Pines Police at 954-421-2200 or CrimeStoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
A man employed as a bartender at Red Wind Casino was being held today at the Thurston County Jail, accused of raping two women he met on MySpace — and detectives fear there might be other victims.
Marcos Roberto Lozano, 28, was being held on suspicion of second-degree rape.
“Mr. Lozano apparently meets and communicates with his victims on MySpace and convinces them to meet him at a local casino where he works as a bartender,” according to a news release from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
A 24-year-old woman from Lacey said she was raped Feb. 8 and thinks she might have been drugged. A friend who was with her that night told police Feb. 28 that she had seen Lozano rape the woman.
She made her allegation after Lozano had been arrested in connection with a another alleged rape that involved a 21-year-old Yelm woman and occurred Feb. 17.
Detectives executed a search warrant at Lozano’s home in the 7900 block of Fourth Court, just east of Lacey, on Thursday to seize computers and see whether he had set up dates with other women through MySpace.
“We feel there’s a high probability that there are other victims, and we want to talk to them,” Chief Criminal Deputy James Chamberlain said.
Anyone who thinks they might have been assaulted by Lozano is asked to contact the sheriff’s office or Crime Stoppers at 360-493-2222.
