CO - Inside the life of a registered sex offender

Original Article

02/23/2014

By Kevin Torres

DENVER - According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, there are currently more than 10,000 registered sex offenders living in Colorado. Chances are some of them live in your community.

9NEWS was given a rare look at what life is like for a registered sex offender years after they committed their crime.

"August 16th of 2006... I was arrested for chatting online with an undercover officer... I thought this person was a 13-year-old girl," said Brent (we are not using Brent's last name due to privacy), a registered sex offender.

On that warm August day, Brent found himself surrounded by officers inside his high paying job at Lockheed Martin. From that moment forward he would be labeled a sex offender and lose every ounce of freedom.

"I was charged with criminal intent of sexual assault on a child," said Brent.

"I was just shocked. I don't know what else to say. I cried," Brent's wife Amanda replied.

In the months that followed, Amanda would learn more about her husband's problem. It turns out Brent had been battling his demons for years. In 2003, Brent says, he tried chatting with an underage girl online but got cold feet and backed away. Stressed by this information, Amanda nearly walked away from Brent... But ultimately, she stayed.

"I let him back in the home but that didn't mean I wasn't watching every move he made or made sure this is something I wanted in my life. And it took me a lot of prayer and a lot of support," said Amanda.

The years that followed would prove to be more difficult. Employers wouldn't consider Brent, neighbors turned on him and bills piled up. .

No work, no money, few friends. Yet, Brent pushed forward as he was determined to convince people he had changed.

"It doesn't matter if you can please yourself. Because the public thinks you're a scum bag. And that's what really matters," said Dr. Max Wachtell, 9NEWS Psychologist.

Wachtell has studied sex offenders and says public perception is hard to change. Even though Wachtell says repeat occurrences are considered low among people in Brent's position, the average person will still have a negative outlook on him.

"Sex offenders who feel like they've gone through a ton of treatment, feel like they're a completely different person - their families think they've changed - society isn't going to see that. Society is going to see that person as a sex offender. And that's the box that person is going to be in the rest of their life," said Dr. Wachtell.

The legal sentence Brent received pales in comparison to the personal sentence he deals with every day; which is why Brent is placing a lot of his efforts in a sex offender therapy group geared at helping people coping with situations similar to his.

"God just gave us peace," said Brent.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation studies the state's sex offender population closely. Here is a list of facts they've gathered:

• There are currently 10,096-registered sex offenders in Colorado, as of June 2, 2008.
• Approximately 60% of convicted sex offenders in Colorado are sentenced to community placement (probation, parole, or community corrections) with the remainder being sentenced to incarceration at the Department of Corrections or the county jail (Colorado State Court Administrator's Office, 2003).
• As of June 2008, there are currently 457 Sexually Violent Predators in Colorado. Of these, 364 are currently incarcerated in the Department of Corrections and 93 are listed on the Colorado Sex Offender Registration web site. (Not all SVP's who are incarcerated are posted on the web site. As an SVP is released from prison to live in the community, they will be posted to the Web site).
• A 1998 study by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment found:
• 1 in 150 women and 1 in 830 men in Colorado had experienced a completed or attempted sexual assault in the past 12 months;
• Approximately 16% of these assaults were reported to police;
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 17 men in Colorado had experienced a completed or attempted sexual assault in their lifetime (Colorado Department of Health, 1998).

Child Porn as a Political Weapon by the Growing US Police State

Original Article

Show Description:
This week, Activist Central radio welcomes guest Kitty Wolf, citizen investigator helping to expose the truth about our country’s deepening Constitutional crises and our growing American (Stasi-like) police state.

We will discuss the ever growing American Stasi state (a.k.a. the cooperating US intelligence agencies with US law enforcement) and a not so new internet related police practice of the last ten years, the continuously evolving entrapment tactics against US citizens. Activist Central will discuss police programs such as Project Flicker and Angry Birds that have been used to catch viewers of online child pornography.

As an example of busting child pornography viewers, the -gate scandal was broken open by the independent news media in 2013 alleging that police were intentionally placing child pornography on the computers of political enemies such as writers, activists and dissenters of all stripes such as news reporters, PANDA (People Against the NDAA), and the Oathkeepers.

Other key concepts to be discussed include warnings about the use of Limewire, the Florida sting operations, P2P file sharing, Trojan horse stings, related ransom-ware – “FBI on your computer, pay this amount”, and the growing use of revenge . There is much more that will be covered in this extended two hour talk program. Don’t miss it.

VT - Law would mandate that state notify communities of nearby sex offenders

Sen. Dick Sears

Original Article

02/22/2014

Several senators want to inform communities about where registered sex offenders live.

Introduced by a pair of Democratic lawmakers from the Northeast Kingdom, S.80, requires that the state’s public safety or corrections department notify communities of the presence of a sex offender within five days.

Under the proposal, if the offender becomes a Vermont resident or changes his or her address, the Vermont Department of Public Safety will tell communities. If the offender is released from prison or supervision, the corrections department will give public notice.

Currently local law enforcement bodies, and the two departments, can choose whether to tell communities about nearby sex offenders. This legislation would leave them no choice.

Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, who chairs the Senate Judiciary committee, told VTDigger that he isn't sure the mandate is necessary, since local law enforcement already regularly informs the public when particularly dangerous convicts are around.

“The current law provides the ability for law enforcement to notify when they think such notification would be beneficial,” said Sears. “And I think that’s a judgment call that both departments need to make.”

A person’s sex offender status is public information, which can be looked up online at the state’s Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the Vermont Criminal Information Center.

According to the center’s director Jeffrey Wallin, there are about 1,436 registered sex offenders in the state, with 1,008 listed online. The number of sexual offenders in recent years hasn't risen or dropped sharply, Wallin told lawmakers.

But the database the state maintains has also faced sharp criticism in past years, with a June 2010 report from the state auditor noting: “With respect to the reliability of the SOR [Sex Offender Registry] data, we found a sizeable number of serious errors.”

As a result, a law passed in 2009 won’t take effect until there’s a favorable review of the registry, done by the state auditor and approved by a joint legislative committee.

The 2009 law, Act 58, would post an offender’s street address online, if the offender is high risk, hasn't complied with treatment, is wanted for arrest, has abused a child under 13-years-old, and has had his address listed online in another jurisdiction.

Sears says the solution is to wait for a favorable audit from the state auditor, which he argues would make this legislation unnecessary. The center has revamped and improved the registry over several months since that critical report, with new state auditor Doug Hoffer planning to start an audit of the new system in late spring 2013.

“I think the problem that S.80 asks us to address would be solved once the addresses are on the internet,” said Sears. “I think our number one goal right now ought to be get a positive performance review…and then let the 2009 law take effect.”

“Once that takes effect, I’m not sure that we have a problem in terms of notification. And people who might have a specific problem should probably contact the state police or their local police about why they weren't notified of a particularly high-risk offender moving into their neighborhood.”

But advocates and committee members also want to do justice to former convicts trying to reintegrate into society, and those wrongfully listed on the registry.

Sen. Joe Benning, R-Caledonia, raised questions about how difficult it is for offenders to remove themselves from the database. Currently, those listed have to go through the courts or the corrections department to scrub themselves from the registry.

Sen. Jeanette White, D-Windham, added that she’d heard complaints from constituents who believe they’re on the database for “things that are just ludicrous.”

Right now, only those convicted of a sexual crime show up on the database, which was established in 1996. Their name, photo, town of residence, probation status and detailed criminal record are all listed, with an indication of whether they’re considered a “high risk” offender.

Advocate Gordon Bock, chair of the prisoner’s rights group CURE Vermont (Facebook, National), said that one danger here is worsening an already harmful social stigma about former sex offenders.

He said there needs to be a balance between a public need and desire for safety, and “turning a particular type of former prisoner into what essentially amounts to being a pariah.”

He hopes that lawmakers will be “careful and circumspect before they make it even more difficult for people who have committed crimes of a sexual nature — and I’m talking about those who have rehabilitated, and want to stay on the right track — to make it even harder for them to secure a place to live, to get a job, to exist in the community.”

GA - Georgia Republican stands up for sex offenders’ access to schools and playgrounds

Rep. Sam Moore

Original Article

02/21/2014

By David Ferguson

A Georgia Republican state House member submitted a bill to the current legislative session that would remove restrictions on convicted sex offenders and allow them to go anywhere in the state they like, including schools.

According to the Cherokee Tribune, freshman Georgia Rep. Sam Moore (R-Macedonia) said that once they satisfy the terms of their parole, sex offenders have “done their time” and should be allowed to go forth unhindered by intrusive government supervision.

Moore’s HB 1033 would overturn the crime of loitering and loosen restrictions on convicted sex offenders, enabling them to go anywhere they like, including schools, church youth functions, parks and playgrounds. Moore said that the risk of recidivism is outweighed by the increase in freedom.

“I am OK with that,” he told the Tribune. “The reason I’m OK with that is the assumption is they have done their time. If they’re still a danger to society, they should not be free.”

“Am I saying it’s not creepy?” he asked. “It’s definitely creepy,” but worth it to avoid big government’s infringement on personal liberties.

“In my 34 years of law enforcement I have never heard of such an insane law having been introduced,” said Cherokee Sheriff Roger Garrison Friday. “Sexual predators are one of this country’s most violent (type of) offenders. If there’s any equal it would be an out-and-out serial killer.”
- So what about politicians who agree to wars that kill thousands or more?  Or what about drunk drivers who kill a while family?  Not all sex offenders are as dangerous as you make them all out to be, but hey, you cannot look soft on crime we understand that, got to protect your reputation!

Garrison said that to allow sexual predators to “once again lurk around our parks, around our schools, around our swimming pools” is unacceptable.
- How many sexual crimes can you show us that occurred at ANY of these places?

Cherokee Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo told the Tribune by email, “The School District is strongly opposed to any legislation that would allow predators the opportunity to endanger our students, which it appears this bill would do.”

Anti-loitering laws are a key law enforcement tool in keeping adult sexual predators away from children, but Moore feels that they are unconstitutional in that they compel suspects to identify themselves to the police. HB 1033 would forbid police from forcing residents to identify themselves under any circumstances.

Moore said that he is protecting the Fifth Amendment, which protects citizens’ right to remain silent.

Sheriff Garrison blasted the bill’s potential to make law enforcement impossible.
- Oh come on, really?

“It’s insane,” he said. “If you can’t check them, how are you going to know who they are? They could be wanted for murder down the street.”
- So I guess you just want to eliminate the 5th amendment and let your Gestapo search anybody, anywhere, anytime you wish?

One of Moore’s fellow Republican lawmakers unloaded on him at the state House session on Friday morning.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Rep. John Pezold (R-Fortson) as saying, “I am shocked and appalled anyone would suggest that pedophiles should be allowed to loiter near day care centers, schools — the places where our children learn and play.”
- Not all ex-offenders are pedophiles and by saying so could be a form of defamation!

“If Mr. Moore’s mission was to come down to the state Capitol and alienate his colleagues by staking out positions that no one in their right mind could agree with,” Pezold continued, “he can now hang a ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner behind him because he has done just that.”

See Also:

• (02/28/2014) Rep. Sam Moore back tracks on his controversial bill
• (02/24/2014) Georgia lawmaker apologizes for bill scrapping sex offender loitering statute
• (02/21/2014) State representative’s sex offender bill receives fierce criticism (Video Available)

MO - Gladstone woman on a crusade for change following Hailey Owens’ death

Donna Roesle

Original Article

We already have laws on the books for this, murder is a crime if you haven't heard, and 10 million laws will never prevent this from occurring. Yes it's tragic, but you need to get off Fantasy Island! Everybody would love to live in a crime free world, but be realistic!

02/20/2014

By Robert Townsend

GLADSTONE - Donna Roesle is a mother of three adult kids. Hours after the murder of Hailey Owens, she organized an online petition in hopes of getting a law passed that will get tougher on criminals who commit crimes against children.

“It’s just awful that somebody can go out there and grab an innocent baby and do this,” Roesle said.

Roesle has a daughter who is expecting her first child. The outrage she felt after Owens’ sudden death has left a hole in her heart and pushed her into action.

“I just want something done. I want our children to be safe. I want my grandchildren to be safe, their kids to be safe and obviously the laws right now aren't working,” she said.

Roesle, the owner of a Smithville beauty salon school, is now pounding the pavement and approaching her neighbors. She hopes to get as many people to sign the petition with one goal in mind.

“Sitting around doing nothing is going to do nothing,” she said.

She wants to convince Missouri lawmakers to pass a new law. It would require all convicted offenders who preyed on children to receive the death penalty or castration 30 days after the crime.

“I think anyone who takes a young child, innocent young children, and grabs them for no reason at all and rapes them, murders them or anything, I feel like without a doubt, once they’re convicted of the crime, that they should have a death sentence and castration. Immediately,” she said.

Petition co-organizer Jennifer Kerber said that the proposed punishment may give criminals pause.

“Maybe that offender or the criminal would think twice about what they’re doing if they know they’re gonna die immediately or be castrated,” Kerber said.

So far more than 5,000 people from around the metro, and states all over the country have signed Roesle’s petition.

MS - Sex crimes have lasting impact on victims and offenders

Original Article

02/18/2014

By Christina Garcia

Some Sex offenders spend a life time being monitored by law enforcement. Their victims are impacted for life. Advocates see firsthand what happens after a person is sexually assaulted. There are specific laws in place to protect people from sexual predators. But not all are in agreement that the laws apply to every person convicted of a sex crime.

Sex crimes affect everyone involved. Victim's lives are changed forever. Even the offenders are impacted dramatically because their offenses are public knowledge. For victims it could mean enduring painful memories plus a number of psychological issues.

"Hyper vigilance, suicidal, scared of people in general scared of new relationships," said Stephanie Piper the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence Sexual Assault Victim's Advocate.

Last year, the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence helped 271 sexual assault victims.

"People feel really safe once their perpetrator's been arrested because they can't come back and hurt them," said Piper.

To keep people safe from sex offenders after they're released, depending on the severity of the sex offense, those convicted are required to spend a minimum of 15 years on the registry with the worst cases registering for the rest of their lives.

Sex crime convictions impact where offenders can live, work and how the public views them. Law enforcement officials say a common stigma associated with sex offenders is that they are all pedophiles, but that's not always the case. Criminal defense attorney Michael Crosby handles between four to eight sex crime cases every year. He worries that the law on registering may be excessive for certain cases.

"I think that in a consensual situation, I think that the jury should be able to consider the honest mistake issue, with respect to whether or not it truly was, should merit a crime under the laws or merit a conviction," said Attorney Michael Crosby.

Crosby also says it's not uncommon for clients to say they thought the person they were having sex with was over the age of 18.

He says the State of Mississippi should be able to consider an honest mistake as a defense if the defendant had consensual sex with someone they thought was over the age of 18.

"I believe that there should be more discretion to allow a jury to make a decision if that man or woman in the case, whoever the defendant is, if they made an honest mistake, legitimate mistake about the age of the child," said Crosby.

But not everyone agrees.

"It's going to be harder to prove what somebody believed then what actually was. So if there is a child that's 10-years-old and her offender thinks or believes that she's 18 he can say, "I believe that she's 18' and get off on raping her," said Piper.
- Many people are also ruined for life based on no evidence just an accusation!

Piper says the point of the registry is to protect the victims, most of who are under the age of 30 especially since so few sexual assault cases ever make it to trial because victims either refuse to pursue a charge or there isn't enough evidence.

"I want more people on that registry. I want more people to be convicted, so they can go on the registry. We don't have enough," Piper said.

The Mark (1961)

Original Article

Storyline:
This is the story of a 33 year old man, Jim Fuller, released from prison after serving a three year term for intent to commit child molestation. Fuller is assisted by the prison psychiatrist in obtaining a position. He does well in this position and falls in love with the secretary of the owner of the company. A child is molested and beaten in the town where he now lives and the police pick him up for questioning. He has an alibi and is released, but a reporter who covered his former trial recognizes him. The reporter begins to follow him and reports that Fuller spent time alone with the daughter of his girl friend.