Women With Troubles - July 2006

The following is a listing of women with troubles reported in the news during July 2006. Each name is linked to an Interested-Participant blog entry displaying detailed information.

(AZ) Denise Philpott, aka Denise Green, 32,
behavioral-health technician, mother of four - Arrested for kidnapping and having sex with boy, 15,

(CA) Jennifer Lynn Sanchez, 31,
teacher - Guilty of unlawful sex with male student, 17, received no jail because she's bipolar,

(CA) Danielle Marie Walls, 27,
teacher - Pleaded guilty to unlawful sex/contributing to delinquency of boy, 16,

(CO) Donna Sue Lopus, 40,
sp. ed. teacher - Sentenced to 2 years work release jail time for sex assault of mentally disabled boy, 16. It's claimed she has bipolar disorder,

(CO) Michelle Leigh Tolar, 26,
teacher of troubled youth - Charged with sex assault of male student, 16,

(CT) Beth Raymond, 31,
educator of learning disabled children - Given 18 months for sex assault of boy, 12. Sentence mitigated since she has mental problems,

(FL) Janelle Marie Bird, 25,
teacher - Guilty of sex crimes with male student, 14, for two-year period. Bird claims she is in love with him.

(GA) Georgianne Harrell, 24,
3rd-grade teacher - Guilty of molesting boy, 9, sentenced to 25 years in prison,

(IL) Sarah Elizabeth Dickerson, 25,
Spanish teacher - Charged with sex assault of male student, 17,

(IL) Kory Gatton, 25,
neighbor, mother - Guilty of sexually abusing two boys, 14 & 16,

(IN) Becci Hill, 31,
special needs counselor - Charged with sexual misconduct and child solicitation of boy, 15,

(KY) Barbara Ann Bailiff, 41,
neighbor - Rape/sodomy charges on boys aged 8, 14, & 16,

(ME) Kristi Higgins, 27,
teen drug counselor - On trial for sex assault of boy, 15,

(MI) Laura Findlay, 32,
band teacher - Pleads guilty to criminal sexual conduct with 6 boys under 16,

(MI) Jami Lee Knox, 41,
married, mother of 3 - Charged with criminal sexual conduct with boy, 15,

(MT) Michele Evonne Malady, 42,
teacher's aide - Sentenced to 2 years prison for rape of boy, 14. It's claimed she's bipolar.

(NJ) Angela Stellwag, 26,
teacher - Indicted for sex abuse of male student, 14,

(OH) Angela Johnson, 34,
teacher, married mother - Sentenced to probation in student seduction case,

(OR) Kathleen O'Brien Erickson, 22,
school coach - Recently arrested for sodomy, also facing charges of sex assault/contributing to delinquency of girl, 15,

(PA) Brianna K. Said, 31,
teacher - Given probation for sex with male student, 17,

(PA) Robin Lynn Winkis, 30,
teacher - Given hand slap of 2 to 23 months for sex with students. She was lonely and depressed.

(TN) Kristi Dance Oakes, 33,
teacher - Sentenced to 6 months for statutory rape of male student, 16,

(TN) Andrea Jill Rail (aka Andrea Arnold Rail), 27,
teacher - Charged with solicitation of minor, a boy, 14,

(TN) Pamela Rogers, 29,
former teacher, convicted sex offender - Sentenced to 7 years prison for parole violation,

(TX) Araceli Tello, 30,
neighbor, wife - Charged with sexual assault for luring a woman to a mobile home where a man raped her,

(UT) Amber Childs, 29,
neighbor - Charged with sex abuse and sodomy of boy, 5,

(UT) Melinda Lee Deluca, 30,
teacher - Charged with forcible sex abuse of male student, 16,

(UT) Brandy Yates, 30,
teacher - Sentenced to stay home for 90 days for forcible rape of boy, 15,

(VA) Bonnie Sue Davis, 35,
sp. ed. teacher - Charges affirmed in case of alleged sodomy on two male students, 14 and 15,

(VT) Melanie Hackett, 24,
teacher - Charged with sexual abuse of male student, 13,

(WA) Lydia Korolak, 34,
guard at juvenile jail - Charged with custodial misconduct with teen boys.

Note that this compilation was derived by simply monitoring the media and obviously there were other stories under the radar. Thanks to all my tipsters (about a dozen) for their help, most notably Don Morgenstern and Jason Cann.

'Wild West' Baghdad

The violence today occurred in broad daylight about noon on a busy Baghdad street.

From METimes.com:

Armed men in Iraqi national police uniforms kidnapped 12 workers Monday at the headquarters of the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IACCI), interior and defense ministry officials said.

The kidnapping came after a morning of violence across the country left at least 16 people dead, including two senior officers from the military and intelligence services.

Riding in 15 GMC jeeps of a kind used by police, the kidnappers descended on Arassat Street in the commercial heart of Baghdad and led away the head of the chamber and 11 co-workers, an interior ministry source said.

Couldn't all this sad, sick violence be compared to the American Wild West? History relates how the white man and the Cavalry fought the Indians. Indian tribes regularly raided and massacred each other. The cattlemen fought the sheepherders. Ranchers fought the sodbusters. Texans fought Mexicans. In other words, it was uncivilized chaos.

In substance, how different is Baghdad today? I propose it isn't. Baghdad has every group fighting every other group, wildly. Like the American Wild West, you need a course in regional history to understand any of the groups and their conflicts.

The American Wild West was ultimately tamed, civilized through the dedication of incorruptible lawmen and the U.S. Army Cavalry who all shot first, then asked questions. Civilization also needed the spreading of a court system that reliably could convict in the morning and hang in the afternoon. And, of course, it took sustained economic growth. Sprinkled liberally throughout the West, these main elements largely tamed our violent frontier in right around 100 years.

Can the same strategy work in Baghdad? Sure, but it likely won't happen. Western civilization has lost the gonads to aggressively obliterate an enemy. In today's political world, it's more important to compromise and understand. The heroes of America's West just shot the bad guys full of holes. No compromise, no understanding, just bad guys dead.

Woman Axed to Death for Family Honor

(Amman, Jordan) There is no way to apply civilized reasoning for honor killings. The practice should disappear from the planet, like cannibalism and dinosaurs.

From JordanTimes.com:

A 26-year-old Jordan Valley woman was hacked to death by her mother and sister after delivering a baby out of wedlock, an official told The Jordan Times Saturday.

The criminal prosecutor on Saturday charged the 69-year-old mother and her daughter with premeditated murder, the official said.

The victim reportedly received multiple axe wounds to different parts of her body while she slept, the official added.

"The victim, who has been divorced for seven years, became pregnant and delivered a baby boy on the day of the murder," the source said, adding that her enraged mother decided to "kill her to cleanse the family honour."

"The mother and daughter waited until the victim went to sleep, took an axe and hacked her repeatedly until they made sure she was dead," the source said.

The two then headed to the nearest police station in the Jordan Valley claiming to have killed her "to protect their honour," the source added.

The woman's honor killing is the ninth in Jordan this year. Therefore, I project that between now and December 31, at least six more Jordanian women will die in honor killings.

Furthermore, it's my belief that justice is seldom achieved in honor killings. Even in those places that are attempting to reform, a drop in honor killings has been followed by a corresponding rise in 'honor suicides.'

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Educator Beth Raymond Jailed for Sex Crimes

(Stamford, Connecticut) In June 2005, 31-year-old athletics coach at Eagle Hill School, Beth Raymond, was charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old student and risk of injury to a minor. Eagle Hill is a school for learning-disabled children ages six to 13.

Since last year, Raymond's case has taken several turns (see here and here). She initially pleaded not guilty.

In the latest development, Judge John Kavanewsky sentenced Raymond to 18 months in prison.

Last week, from GreenwichTime.com:

Raymond pleaded no contest to one count each of second-degree sexual assault and violation of a protective order and was sentenced to eight years in prison, suspended after 18 months, with credit for time served. A no contest plea means she neither admits guilt nor contests the charges.

She also was sentenced to 15 years of probation, and must register as a sex offender in Connecticut upon her release for a minimum period of 10 years.

If she tries to contact her victim again, the suspension of her sentence will be lifted and she will have to go back to prison to serve her full sentence.

The neurological problems were found when Raymond's lawyer requested an evaluation of her.

Attorney Michael Meehan told Kavanewsky that although Raymond has a master's degree in education, her mental capacity and judgment was impaired by a downhill skiing accident and a serious automobile crash in the late 1990s.

The two accidents produced mental problems which, apparently, prompted the judge to suspend most of her sentence. The prosecutor agreed that Raymond had brain damage but stated the condition didn't rise to the level of a defense. I'd agree.

Notably, the 12-year-old victim's parents, through their attorney Eugene Riccio "objected on the record to the judge allowing Raymond to plead no contest, and told Kavanewsky the victim's family felt the jail term was too light." Since Raymond gets credit for time served, I estimate that she only has about six months left behind bars.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

School Administrator Under Investigation

(Knox County, Tennessee) Officials are investigating allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student and grade-fixing by Powell High School Assistant Principal, Kimberly Kallenberg, 36.

Kallenberg was placed on paid administrative leave from her position with Knox County Schools on July 14. No charges have been filed and no estimate has been provided for completion of the investigation.

Of note is that the alleged grade-fixing involved more than one student while the alleged inappropriate relationship involved only Powell High School football star, Joseph Lee Smith. Smith received All-American recognition and is due to start at the University of Tennessee on a full-ride athletic scholarship this fall.

Both Kallenberg and Smith have denied the allegations.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 08/11/06]

Kallenberg cleared of sex allegations.

From WATE.com:

An assistant principal at Powell High School has been cleared in part by the school system. This after an investigation found accusations of a sexual relationship with a student were unfounded.

Assistant Principal Kim Kallenberg, 36, is still under investigation on accusations of grade tampering and inappropriate conduct, according to a statement from the school system.

"First of all, I want to say that I'm pleased that representatives from Knox County Schools have admitted that the sexual allegations made against me are unfounded," Kallenberg said.

In the meantime, Kallenberg has filed two complaints. One is against the school system for alleged sex discrimination. The other complaint was filed with the U.S. Department of Education and it alleges that the school system improperly released the name and records of the student linked to her in the sex crime investigation.

Consequently, the story continues . . . .

Bronchiolitis Obliterans

The latest health threat being reported is bronchiolitis obliterans. It's a serious lung disease that has prompted public health professionals and the unions to call on the Bush administration to issue emergency government regulations.

The disease is believed to be caused by a chemical called diacetyl which is a food flavoring ingredient and it is blamed for two cases of serious lung debilitation in California.

It seems to me that more than two cases of the disease should be confirmed before calling the condition a national emergency. I also think it's interesting that the unions are major players in the campaign calling for emergency federal action.

Hmmm ...

Teacher Danielle Walls Pleads Guilty

(San Diego, California) In early June 2006, history teacher at Clairemont High School, Danielle Marie Walls, was arrested on suspicion of having sex with a 16-year-old boy. This past week, Walls confirmed the suspicion.

From SignOnSanDiego.com:

Danielle Walls, 27, pleaded guilty in San Diego Superior Court to felony charges of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for providing the student drugs and alcohol.

Sentencing is scheduled for late September. Walls could get over five years in prison. Unfortunately, all too often female sexual offenders get little more than probation.


[Update 09/27/06]

Walls was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Frank Brown to one year in the local jail. She will not be required to register as a sex offender upon release.

Apparently, no probation period was imposed nor was her eligibility as a teacher addressed or questioned. Nothing to see here. Move along now.

As an afterthought, I strongly suspect that she won't do the full year in jail.


[Update II 09/27/06]

In another report, Deputy District Attorney Dwayne Moring relates that Walls engaged in sex with the 10th-grader "10 to 25 times at four or five hotels around the county." Coupled with the fact that she plied the boy with cocaine and alcohol, it's arguable that her sentence of one year in jail is appropriate. Correcting my previous belief, it's reported that Walls received five years probation in addition to the jail term.

Nonetheless, it appears that Judge Frank Brown was feeling quite charitable during Walls' sentencing.

English Teacher Accused of Sex Crimes

(Lakewood, Colorado) Michelle Leigh Tolar, a 26-year-old teacher at Jefferson Hills, a troubled youth facility, has been accused of engaging in sex with a 16-year-old student.

From RockyMountainNews.com:

"We have laws in place to protect juveniles for a reason," said Steve Davis, Lakewood police spokesman. "No matter how appropriate the juvenile feels about the relationship, it is illegal for a 26-year-old teacher to have a sexual relationship with a 16- year-old."

Tolar was booked without bail into the Jefferson County Jail. She faces two counts of sexual assault.


[Update 06/14/07]

Tolar sentenced.

Husband Denied Booty, Chops Wife in Half

(Accra, Ghana) Akua Kyereh, 37, is in two parts, thanks to her husband, Kwasi Tawiah.

From TheHeritageNews.com:

Tawiah grew angry, pulled a cutlass and hacked his wife he wanted to have intercourse with till she was cut into two at the tummy side. Their 12-year-old son, Effah Ansong, began screaming. But no sooner had he started than he was knocked off his senses as Tawiah hit him heavily on the head with a pestle.

Heh.

Teacher Walks

(Hummelstown, Pennsylvania) In March, ninth-grade English teacher at Milton Hershey School, Brianna K. Said, now 31, was charged with interfering with the custody of children and corruption of minors for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student.

This week, Judge Todd A. Hoover sentenced Said to probation.

Nuff said.

By The Way

Andrea Yates gets off.

Here's an acknowledgement of heartfelt sorrow for the five youngsters she drowned. Apparently the jury gave its boo-hoo to the murderess instead of the victims.

Frankly, I'm pissed.

Teacher Kristi Oakes Gets 6 Months

(Sevierville, Tennessee) The enduring case of former biology teacher at Seymour High School, Kristi Dance Oakes, 33, has concluded with her sentencing.

Refreshing memories, Oakes was arrested for performing oral sex on a 16-year-old boy inside her car near Douglas Dam in 2004. She pleaded guilty last month to statutory rape.

Yesterday, Circuit Court Judge Richard Vance sentenced Oakes to six months in jail and 12 months probation.

From WBIR.com:

The judge gave her 30 days to report to Sevier County Jail to serve her sentence.

It's not known whether she will be tagged as a sex offender. One thing seems certain, though. Justice can be casual.


[Update 07/31/06]

Another report indicates Oakes will appeal.

From WATE.com:

Kristi Oakes told news reporters to leave her alone Thursday and she had no comment after her sentence was read.

The victim's mother spoke but did not want her identity revealed. "She (Oakes) called me to apologize. I asked her why she did it and she said she didn't know why she did it."

The mother says Oakes seduced the boy beginning with phone calls, Internet chatting late at night and even taking a summer job at the same place. Finally, she says it ended with a sex act between the then 31-year-old teacher and 16-year-old student.

Nevertheless, according to her attorney, Oakes will appeal her sentence. Odd, I thought six months was lenient and that was before I knew she seduced the boy.

Understandably, the court allowed Mrs. Oakes to retain custody of her minor children.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Woman Gave Boys Treats

(Seattle, Washington) An unnamed 34-year-old female juvenile officer worked the butter churn with some teenage boys and got arrested. That's all I know.

Oh yeah! She gave them treats.


[Update 07/28/06]

Whoa! This story may have legs.

From BellinghamHerald.com:

Four felony charges of custodial misconduct charges were filed Tuesday against Lydia Korolak, 34, an 11-year veteran of the juvenile lockup. She was on paid leave pending arraignment next Tuesday.

Four others also are on paid leave as an investigation into reports of sex between guards and teenage inmates heads into a fourth month, County Executive Ron Sims, city Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske and county corrections Maj. William Hayes said at a news conference.

I'll watch and report.


[Update 06/08/07]

Korolak pleads guilty.


[Update 07/28/07]

Korolak sentenced.

No Secrets At Home

(Maury County, Tennessee) Arrested on Tuesday, Santa Fe teacher Andrea Jill Rail, 27, faces charges of solicitation of a male minor. The boy, 14, squealed to his family. Police are investigating computer files.

She resigned, quickly.

Tipped by: Jason Cann.


[Update 07/31/06]

Another report states that Andrea Jill Rail, aka Andrea Arnold Rail, will face two counts of solicitation of a minor with arraignment scheduled for August 8. Upon conviction, the charges carry punishment of two to 12 years in prison. After her arrest, she was released on $10,000 bond.

Notably, Rail was investigated a year ago for a similar situation with no conclusions.

Moonda Murder

(Akron, Ohio) More than a year has passed since I last reported on the Moonda murder. Check previous entries here, here, and here.

In the latest development, investigators have solved the case.

To recap quickly, Dr. Gulam Moonda was killed on the Ohio Turnpike by a gunman in May 2005. The doctor pulled over to the side of the road to change drivers when a following vehicle stopped behind. The driver exited and approached Dr. Moonda's car, robbed him, and then shot him. Dr. Moonda's wife and mother-in-law were also in the car but unhurt.

Here is the most recent from NewsNet5.com:

The wife of a Pennsylvania doctor has surrendered on a charge of interstate stalking in his shooting death along the Ohio Turnpike last year.

Donna Moonda surrendered in Youngstown hours after her reported love interest, Damian Bradford, pleaded guilty in the husband's shooting.

Moonda also has been charged with aiding and abetting.

Prosecutors said Moonda approached Bradford about killing her husband for money. Prosecutors also said Bradford and Donna Moonda met just hours before the shooting death of Dr. Gulam Moonda in order to provide a detailed map of their route.

The news comes hours after Bradford, 25, admitted in court to pulling the trigger and killing Gulam Moonda, 69, during a plea agreement Monday morning.

Bradford pleaded guilty to interstate stalking and carrying a firearm with intent to kill. He also agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Bradford will be sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison in the death of the Hermitage, Pa. doctor. Moonda was shot to death along the Ohio Turnpike on May 13, 2005.

Bradford admitted freely in court that he followed Gulam Moonda on the interstate, pulled up behind him and, when Gulam Moonda was out of the car, ordered him back into the car and shot him once in the head.

Aiding and abetting the murder of her husband sounds like a capital crime to me. I don't think she should have wiggle room.


[Update 07/06/07]

Donna Moonda found guilty of murder.


[Update 09/21/07]

Moonda gets life in prison.

Secret Post



With our prayers, it's easy to hop from the knuckles to the thumbs up.

Cafe Osama to Change Name

(Belgrade, Serbia) The name of the Cafe Osama offended U.S. diplomats and the owner was told to change it.

From Ananova.com:

The word Osama means 'secluded' in Serbo-Croat and cafe owner Milomir Jeftic said he had named his shop after a local shelter for the homeless.

But he has been told to change it after an official complaint from the US Embassy, local media reported.

But Jeftic said: "I had no intention of offending Americans. It is just a word in Serbian.

"I admit I have heard of Osama Bin Laden, but until now I was not quite sure who he was."

Keeping up on world events apparently is not practiced in Serbia.

Stop! Go Read The 200th CotV

Jay of Accidental Verbosity has put together a stellar effort in this week's Carnival of the Vanities. Commemorating the 200th edition of the carnival while paying tribute to Rob "Acidman" Smith, it's well worth a reader's time. Go visit.

Teacher Found Guilty of Sex Crimes

(Pensacola, Florida) Last December, Escambia High School reading teacher Janelle Marie Bird turned herself in to police to faces charges of lewd and lascivious battery and unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Bird allegedly had a two-year sexual relationship with a student that started when he was a 14-year-old.

After the allegations became known, the Escambia County School District suspended Bird and later fired her. Subsequent to booking, she was released on bond.

This week, an Escambia County jury found 25-year-old Janelle Bird guilty of two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and two lesser counts of unnatural and lascivious act. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 4 and faces a possible 30 years in prison.

From PensacolaNewsJournal.com:

The Pensacola Christian College graduate did not react when the verdict was read. She did not look at her parents, who were holding hands. Neither the teen nor his parents were at the courtroom, which was filled with curious lawyers and legal assistants throughout the two-day trial.

Bird's lawyer, Jerry Allred, stated he had no legal defense for her actions and, ostensibly to garner sympathy, portrayed her as a naive woman with the mentality of a teenager.

The teen testified Thursday that he loved Bird, who already left East Hill Christian and was starting a new job with the Escambia School District when the relationship began in August.

But when asked by Allred if he still loved her, the 16-year-old responded with, "Uh ... nah."

Interestingly, Bird was offered and rejected a plea deal of eight years in prison before the trial. Now it seems she'll see at least ten years.

In a fine report of the case, Nicole Lozare sums it up eloquently with "Love is not a defense."


[Update 10/04/06]

Bird sentenced.

Harry Olivieri (1916 - 2006)

Harry Olivieri died at age 90. He and his brother Pat are credited with inventing the Philly cheesesteak in 1933.

Rest in peace.

Teacher Sodomy Case Progresses

(Spotsylvania, Virginia) Last April, 35-year-old special education teacher at Courtland High School, Bonnie Sue Davis, was arrested and charged with nine offenses involving sexual relations with two students, ages 14 and 15.

At a preliminary hearing yesterday, prosecutor Stuart Sullivan dropped six misdemeanor charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor but said additional indictments may be forthcoming.

It currently appears that the case against Davis will include two counts of oral sodomy and one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor. The case will be heard by the Virginia Circuit Court as opposed to the family court where, according to Spotsylvania Commonwealth Attorney William Neely, judges can close the proceeding from public view.

From Fredericksburg.com:

After the hearing yesterday, Neely and Sullivan summarized the evidence presented against Davis. They said the two sodomy charges relate to Davis twice performing oral sex on the 15-year-old boy. The indecent liberties charge concerns Davis kissing the 14-year-old.

They said the 15-year-old testified yesterday that he had sex with Davis five times this past February--four times at his house on Friday evenings and once at hers on a Wednesday during the school year.

The 15-year-old testified that Davis arranged for him to skip school that Wednesday, Sullivan said. The boy said Davis took him to her house that day. Sullivan said they presented Courtland records showing that Davis called in sick that day--Feb. 8--and that the boy wasn't at school either.

Neely said the 15-year-old was able to accurately describe a tattoo that Davis had on an intimate part of her body.

The 14-year-old's mother testified that she went over to the 15-year-old's house to get her son in February, Sullivan said. She said Davis was in a dark bedroom with her son at the time. The 14-year-old said he kissed Davis while she was naked below the waist.

Ralph Bennett, a private investigator and proprietor of R&R Bennett Inc. in Fredericksburg, began looking into the allegations in March--about a month after Courtland Principal Michael Bedwell met with the boys and determined that there had been no sexual contact between them and Davis.

So, it appears that a private investigator was needed to find evidence of nefarious behavior on the part of Davis. The school was seemingly witless.

Next, the case proceeds to Circuit Court. More later.


[Update 08/23/06]

Davis has been indicted on two misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She is scheduled to be arraigned on September 22. If she pleads guilty, Commonwealth Attorney William Neely stated that his office may not pursue felony charges.

Uh -- I sense that Davis is going to get a hand slap. I hope I'm wrong.


[Update 09/23/06]

Here's a shock. No jail for Davis.

Teacher Indicted for Sex Abuse of Boy

Here's a case where it appears that it took a grand jury quite some time to indict.

(Riverside, New Jersey) Originally reported in February 2005, substitute teacher Angela Stellwag was arrested and charged with sexual assault of a 14-year-old male Riverside High School student. Angela is the 26-year-old daughter of Delran Mayor Joseph Stellwag.

Now it's reported that Angela Stellwag has been indicted on four counts of sexual abuse and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

From CourierPostOnline.com:

The assaults took place between July 4, 2004, and Sept. 30, 2004 inside the defendant's home in Delran and inside her car at locations in Edgewater Park, police said.

Stellwag met the boy in 2003 while working as a substitute teacher in the Beverly school district and maintained a social relationship with him through the summer of 2004.

No reason has been put forth to explain the lengthy delay in getting an indictment.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 08/29/06]

Yesterday, before Superior Court Judge John Almeida, Stellwag pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Her next court date is scheduled for October 30.

Stellwag remains free on $20,000 bail.

Sex Abuser Sentenced to Stay Home

(Ferron, Utah) In March of this year, a teacher at San Rafael Junior High School, Brandy Yates, 30, was charged with sex abuse of a minor for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old boy.

After pleading guilty to forcible sexual abuse of the boy, 7th District Judge Bruce Halliday sentenced Yates to stay home for 90 days.

I reiterate. Yates was sentenceed to stay home.

Fresno Sex Club Closes

For my two West Coast readers, heads up.

(Fresno, California) The popular Club Paradise in west central Fresno has temporarily shut down while the club's owner works to meet the demands of the city. I think it has something to do with towels or zoning or perfume. Appaerently, some folks don't like laundry and the smell of writhing bodies.

American Tolerance

Did you hear about the six people who were killed over a video game dispute? That's right. Six people murdered. The ringleader is on trial.

My guess? He walks.

India Bans Bloggers

The government of India, the world's largest democracy, has banned selected bloggers for fear of offending Islam. All freedom-loving Indians should protest the loss of their access to information. All Islamist thugs should rejoice for getting another nation to play dead.

I, personally, am pissed.

I'd like to call on those influential media and free speech protectors to issue strong statements condemning the action by the Indian government. As a minimum, Condi Rice, as SecState, should weigh in. Only the most primitive mindset believes a problem goes away by hiding it. India is denying that radical Islam is a problem. It's not the bloggers.

Teen Counselor Sex Trial

(Portland, Maine) A 27-year-old former drug counselor at the Long Creek Youth Development Center, Kristi Higgins, is on trial for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old male client.

From Portland Press Herald:

Kristi Higgins, formerly of Portland, has been charged with gross sexual assault, a felony that carries a punishment of up to five years in prison. Higgins is charged with having a sexual relationship in the fall of 2004 with a Long Creek resident who was just turning 16.

Higgins was 27 at the time, but the age difference is not a factor in the case, said Assistant District Attorney Deb Chmielewski.

Instead, Higgins has been charged with violating a provision of the law that prevents drug treatment providers from having sex with minors over whom they have "instructional, supervisory or disciplinary authority."

Be it beyond me to infer bias on the part of the report and, rather, I'll assume the young 15-year-old was celebrating his birthday and Higgins decided to have sex with him in such a manner that the act started when he was 15 and coitus transpired through the moment when he turned 16. Otherwise, intentionally or unintentionally, I'd have to assume that the reporter was blending a personal thought into the story.

A little more disturbing is the fact that the DA kind of sloughs off the situation where an adult of 27 mixes it up sexually with a minor of 15. Chmielewski is prosecuting based on a specific provision of a state drug treatment law. What's with Maine? Aren't there laws making it illegal for adults to have sex with children?

Nonetheless, Higgins waived her right to a jury trial and the case is being heard by Superior Court Justice Thomas Humphrey. A bench verdict is expected soon.

Teacher's Aide Gets Prison for Sex with Boy

(Great Falls, Montana) In July 2005, middle school teacher's aide with the Great Falls School District, Michele Evonne Malady, now 42, was arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old boy. According to police, Malady's victim was a friend of her children and not a student she met at school. The relationship was exposed after Malady's husband notified police that he heard his wife and the boy having sex.

This week, District Judge Kenneth Neil sentenced Michele Malady to seven years in prison with five years suspended. Judge Neil also ordered Malady to attend sex offender treatment.

According to Malady's defense attorney, she has bipolar disorder.

Teacher Gets Jail for Sex with Students

(York, Pennsylvania) Last December, Central York High School English teacher Robin Lynn Winkis (pic), now 30, was arraigned on sex and corruption charges resulting from a relationship with a 17-year-old student. She was booked and released on bail. Winkis resigned her position with the school system. Later, charges were filed regarding a second student, 16.

In accordance with the terms of an agreement with the prosecution, Winkis pleaded guilty in April to two counts each of corruption of minors and unlawful contact with minors, and one count of furnishing liquor to a minor.

On Monday (7/19/06), York County Judge Stephen Linebaugh sentenced Winkis to 2 to 23 months in York County Prison and 100 hours of community service. She was also ordered to have no contact with the victims or their families and she must register as a sexual offender under Megan's Law.

Prior to sentencing, Winkis' attorney Terrance McGowan stated he wasn't offering excuses when he said that she was lonely and depressed because her boyfriend beat her and she sought friendship with the male students that escalated to sex. Winkis then apologized to everybody for her poor decisions.

Tipped by Jason Cann.

Scout Funding Restored by B of A

(Valdosta, Georgia) The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has restored funding to the Boy Scouts of America after thoroughly reviewing its policy. Initially, funds were denied because the Boy Scouts discriminated against homosexuals which was contrary to the foundation's non-discrimination policy.

However, after a review of the Boy Scouts exclusionary position with regard to that of the B of A Charitable Foundation, it was found that the Boy Scouts policy does not discriminate against individual homosexual boys desiring to become scouts. Homosexuals are only prohibited from becoming leaders of scouts. Consequently, there is no discrimination against boys, even those of the brokeback persuasion, who actually benefit from the charitable funds. Therefore, funding of the Boy Scouts is not contrary to the B of A policy.

Kudos to somebody.

Tipped by Don Morgenstern.

Organ Harvesting in China

For the last few years, sources have whispered that China has been harvesting organs for transplant from Falun Gong prisoners. Although the Chinese government has denied all allegations, the whispers continue and are getting louder.

From Canada.com:

The Conservative government is planning to investigate allegations in a new report that the Chinese government and its agencies are torturing religious prisoners and harvesting their organs, Tory MP Deepak Obhrai indicated on Thursday.

"We take these allegations quite seriously, and we'll look into that," said Obhrai, who is parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay. "We'll look to have it confirmed."

The report, prepared by former Alberta MP David Kilgour and international human rights lawyer David Matas, included transcripts of recorded conversations in Mandarin with hospital and detention-centre officials who admitted they had organs available for transplants from Falun Gong prisoners.

The Chinese government banned the practice of Falun Gong in the country in 1999, and rounded up its members accusing them of anti-government activities.

I'm prepared to believe the ChiComs are committing the ugliest conceivable atrocities. They're communists. That's what they do.

Bill Prohibits School Tests on Religious Holidays

The anti-testing crowd is going to love this. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) has colluded with politicians to prevent statewide school exams on religious holidays.

From IQNA.ir:

CAIR-NY said the legislation is a victory for religious freedom and civil rights in New York, particularly for the Muslim community. Earlier this year, Muslim students in New York were not able to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, one of two main Islamic holidays, due to state mandated exams which coincided with the event.

Following that incident, CAIR-NY, the New York City Human Rights Commission and other advocacy groups began an initiative to ensure religious freedoms were upheld in New York public schools.

"All students should to be able to observe their religion without worrying about jeopardizing their education," said CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Nadia Mohammad. "The passing of this bill is a positive first step toward gaining recognition of Islamic holidays in New York public schools."

Originally drafted by State Senator John D. Sabini (D/WFP-Jackson Heights), the bill was to block testing during the Muslim holidays of Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr. The bill was later amended to include all religious holidays and passed unanimously in both the Senate and the Assembly.

So, while there has been an ongoing campaign to rid schools of any hint of Christianity, legislators are rolling over and playing good dog for Islam. Notably, it was only after the fact that they decided to include all religions.

I strongly recommend that Gov. Pataki not sign the bill. Think about it. There are many, many religions with many more religious holidays. School administrators would have to bone up on every conceivable religious holiday during the school year and try to wedge in an exam schedule. All the while they'd be fearful of an ACLU lawsuit on behalf of a pagan sect that observes the Holy Festival of the Betrothed Goat, or some other holiday they missed.

And even disregarding the fact that the law appears to favor Islam and likely creates an unnecessary administrative burden, I think the NY Legislature has passed a "law respecting an establishment of religion."

Woman Charged with Sex Abuse of Boy, 5

(Provo, Utah) In a four-year-old case that has endured multiple delays for a variety of reasons, a trial date has been scheduled.

This past week, 29-year-old Amber Childs was declared competent to stand trial for sexually abusing a five-year-old boy in 2002. She faces specific charges of aggravated sex abuse of a child, sodomy on a child and tampering with a witness or juror.

Trial delays resulted from Childs changing attorneys, undergoing multiple competency reviews and suffering serious health problems. Barring any new delays, her trial will commence on October 3.


[Update 10/04/06]

Childs pleads no contest.


[Update 12/18/07]

Childs gets 30 days for probation violation.

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

(Ceyhan, Turkey) A story that merits emphasis is the opening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline which connects the oil fields of the Caspian Sea to a terminal on the Mediterranean. Most noteworthy is that the 1,100-mile pipeline strategically bypasses Russia and the Middle Eastern nations of Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Starting in Azerbaijan and coursing through Georgia to Turkey, the flow of crude oil will improve Europe's energy security while helping nurture a closer link between the Caspian region and the West.

The opening ceremony on Thursday was a big event with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, and Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer connecting sections of pipe on a commemorative model of the BTC pipeline.


Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

Crude oil flow begins at Baku, Azerbaijan (green), through Georgia (blue) and onto the refineries and sea oil terminal at Ceyhan, Turkey (yellow).

The BTC was built by a number of international companies led by British titan BP at a cost of $4 billion. Participants included Azerbaijan's public oil group Socar, Unocal of the United States, Norway's Statoil, the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), Italy's ENI, France's Total, Japan's Itochu and Inpex and U.S. firms ConocoPhillips and Amerada Hess. The final cost was $1 billion over budget partly due to environmental and expropriation problems in Georgia and extensive rerouting in Turkey to avoid 350 newly found archeological sites.

The great investment in the BTC does raise security concerns, however, the U.S. is spending $100 million on a special force called the Caspian Guard to provide security and respond to threats. With a command center in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Guard is a multinational effort partnering U.S. and host nation military and nonmilitary agencies with private companies to establish air, land and sea security.

Many nations are expected to benefit from the BTC which currently has a capacity of 430,000 barrels per day and is totally independent from Russia. Capacity is expected to increase to 1 million bpd by 2008. Already, the pipeline's influence in the region is substantial with the creation of a new geopolitical block tied to the West and with the promise of increased prosperity for all countries involved.

In the words of BP group's CEO Lord John Browne, "It changes the energy map of the world." Indeed, it does.

Judge Orders Release of Sexual Predator

This is a victory, of sorts, for those people who think that violent child sexual predators can be rehabilitated.

From SacBee:

A sexually violent predator whose release has been delayed for more than a year was ordered set free within two weeks by a judge who blasted state officials Friday for making little effort to find suitable housing for the convicted child molester.

Timothy Lee Boggs, a 51-year-old Sacramento man who has two convictions for molesting 9-year-old boys in the 1980s, must be released by July 28. He will be allowed to live wherever he wants in Sacramento County as long as he adheres to a series of restrictions and takes part in at least a year of group therapy, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Ronald W. Tochterman ruled.

"I recognize that there is a significant danger that Mr. Boggs may reoffend, that there's cause for legitimate concern," Tochterman said as the mother of one of Boggs' victims sat staring in disbelief. "On the other hand, he has paid his debt to society, and then some."

His debt to society is not the issue, in my estimation. Boggs is considered a significant threat to molest more children and is, therefore, not somebody that should be let loose willy-nilly. I see Judge Tochterman's ruling as a political shot at the state mental health bureaucracy rather than a move to protect Boggs' rights. In any event, the judge has spoken and society, in general, is less safe.

By the way, I believe that rehabilitation of violent sexual predators is a fantasy.

Woman Accused of Sex with Three Boys

(Corbin, Kentucky) A 41-year-old married woman, Barbara Ann Bailiff, is in jail waiting to face charges of rape and sodomy resulting from accusations that she had sex and performed oral sex on three boys, ages 8, 14, and 16.

Television reporter Melinda Roeder interviewed Bailiff in jail for Action News 36. Here's a portion of the transcript.

Melinda is live with more on what Bailiff said.

It's a story you'll see only on Action News 36.

Bailiff was arrested this week after police talked with the juveniles' parents.

They claim she either had oral sex or intercourse with three boys ages 16,14 and 8.

And Bailiff admits some of those accusations are true.

"It was all of us at the house getting drunk and it just happened you know."

It was saturday night. Barbara Ann Bailiiff says she and the three boys were all drinking beer at her house, which is right across the street from a school.

She says they all got drunk.

"I started to tell them all to leave, but then I didn't and it got wilder and wilder."

She admits she had sex with the two teenage boys.

"Do you think there's anything wrong with that? No, because we were just all drunk and getting wild and everything. And the boys were willing? The boys were willing, yeah."

Bailiff says the 8-year-old boy watched, but was never involved in any sexual act.

I had no contact with the 8-year-old boy whatsoever."

Bailiff insists she did nothing wrong and didn't intentionally break the law.

But now....

"Do you regret it? Yeah."

Bailiff says she was drunk and had between six and eight beers.

She also claims she's schizophrenic.

Her husband, by the way, was out of town last weekend when the alleged incident happened. [sic all]

Thanks for the report, Melinda. This case appears to be one of the more egregious examples of child sex crimes. Interestingly, Corbin, Kentucky, is the location in which 18-year-old Ashley Hubbard was arrested last July for allegedly raping and sodomizing two 12-year-old boys. It's unknown how the Hubbard case has transpired. I've seen no followup reports. Nevertheless, Corbin, Kentucky, seems to be cursed in at least this one regard.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 07/15/06, 2330]

One question. Has anyone else noticed the apparent trend toward blaming mental illness as the reason women are molesting youngsters? Bailiff claims she's schizophrenic. Debra Lafave said she's bipolar. Donna Sue Lopus is reportedly bipolar. There are likely a few others also.

Teacher Faces Sex Assault Charges

(Normal, Illinois) Last month, 25-year-old Spanish teacher at University High School, Sarah Elizabeth Dickerson, turned herself in to face charges that she engaged in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student. Dickerson was booked into the McLean County Jail and released on $5,000 bail.

Yesterday, Dickerson was formally charged with five counts of criminal sexual assault. Her arraignment is scheduled for July 21.

From Pantagraph.com:

State's Attorney Bill Yoder said in a statement she and a male student began exchanging e-mail and text messages early in the spring semester, and the correspondence developed into a sexual relationship.

The student's mother found some of the messages and confronted Dickerson, Yoder said, and Illinois State University police opened a criminal investigation after an internal investigation by school officials.

Dickerson resigned from her teaching position on May 19. She remains free on bail.


[Update 02/09/07]

Dickerson sentenced.

Justifying Honor Killings

The struggle toward 21st Century human rights principles among the followers of the religion of peace is demonstrated by this report from the Turkish Daily News.

A study by the Diyarbakir Bar Association Women's Rights Consultation Center showed that courts had accepted rape, rumors about cheating or simply walking around with men as mitigating factors in 46 of 59 "honor killing" cases in Diyarbakir courts between 1999 and 2005.

Consequently, I wouldn't be surprised to see an accused murderer justifying his complicity in an honor killing by pointing to rumors reported in a celebrity gossip magazine.

"Yes, your Honor. The fact that she was raped by her uncle was reason enough for her to die, however, I also read that she had winked at a man during a bus trip. Then I saw her walking in the company of men. For these immoral acts, the honor of the family was deeply besmirched and she had to be killed."

Sadly, we don't hear many complaints from international human rights organizations on this issue. Presumably, they are busy worrying about the rights of terrorists.

Companion posts at The Jawa Report and In The Bullpen.

School Coach Kathleen O'Brien Erickson Arrested Again!

(Tigard, Oregon) Remember 22-year-old Tigard High School coach Kathleen O'Brien Erickson? She's the woman whose irresponsible behavior led to her being arrested for felony offenses three times in three weeks.

Between August and September 2005, Erickson was arrested for a variety of criminal offenses including delivering a controlled substance to a minor, furnishing alcohol to a minor, sodomy, second-degree sexual abuse, and third-degree sexual abuse. She faced charges in two Oregon counties, Washington and Multnomah, all stemming from an alleged sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl. With only sketchy reports available, the status of Erickson's existing criminal cases is indeterminate.

However, there is a new development regarding the former coach. Guess what? Erickson has been arrested again.

On Thursday, Kathleen O'Brien Erickson was apprehended by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Officers and charged with SODOMY III. Details regarding the offense and arrest are unknown at this time since the information was gleaned from a public listing of arrests by the Sheriff's Office. I expect additional information will be forthcoming.

Tipped by Diggers Realm.

Woman Arrested for Sexual Assault

(Bryan, Texas) A 30-year-old married woman, Araceli Tello, was arrested and charged with sexual assault for luring a woman to a mobile home where a man raped her. Tello allegedly watched the rape and said she was getting back at the woman for messing with Tello's husband. The victim has denied knowing Tello and her husband.

If convicted of second-degree sexual assault, Tello faces up to 20 years in prison.

Woman Guilty of Sexually Abusing Two Boys, 14 & 16

(Taylorville, Illinois) In May, 25-year-old mother of one, Kory Gatton, was indicted by a Christian County grand jury for sexually abusing two boys. Gatton was charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of child abduction for allegedly concealing one of the minor boys from his mother and taking him to Kentucky.

From State Journal Register:

A Taylorville mother believes her teenage boys, who allegedly were sexually abused by a 25-year-old woman, are the victims of a double standard.

The mother says the woman accused of molesting her boys, Kory Gatton, would call Taylorville Junior High School, where her 14- year-old son is a student, and tell school officials he was sick. They would then spend the day together. Gatton kept a calendar that kept track of days she had sex with the woman's sons, ages 16 and 14, the mother said.

From today's SJ-R.com:

A 25-year-old Taylorville woman has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two brothers, both younger than 17, earlier this year.

Kory Gatton will be sentenced for the crime Sept. 14 in Christian County Circuit Court, according to Alicia Fry, an assistant state's attorney.

"Both are Class 2 felonies, so she's facing three to seven years in prison, or she's eligible for probation," Fry said.

Gatton will undergo a sex offender evaluation and a pre-sentence investigation.

Since Gatton already has a child from a previous sexual liaison with a 15-year-old, there's evidence to indicate that she has a significant problem with being attracted to young boys. Hopefully, the court will sentence her in a manner to preclude recurrence. I'd suggest that the maximum sentence allowed by law be imposed, and then have an additional five years tacked on for extra assurance that she gets the message.


[Update 09/15/06]

Gatton sentenced yesterday to four years in prison.

Two Convicted in Honor Killing Get Life (Sort of) in Prison

A young Pakistani woman endured a brutal, gruesome and horrific death to preserve the honor of her family. Excuse me for not seeing anything honorable in the primitive practice.

From Middle East Times:

LONDON -- The brother and cousin of a Pakistani victim of a so-called honor killing in Britain were given life sentences on Friday for her "barbaric" murder.

Samaira Nazir, 25, a recruitment consultant, was stabbed to death in April last year after her family was angered by her intention to marry Salman Mohammed, an Afghan asylum seeker.

She was stabbed 18 times at the family home in West London by her brother Azhar Nazir, 30, and cousin Imran Mohammed, 17, the two men's trial was told. Her throat was also slashed.

Nazir, a greengrocer, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years, while Mohammed is to remain behind bars indefinitely with a minimum of 10 years.

Worth noting is that Samaira Nazir's father was also implicated in her murder, however, he fled Britain for Pakistan and disappeared.

I confess to a general unfamiliarity with the British justice system, however, based on the aforementioned, it appears that life in prison includes sentences of 10 years, 20 years and, presumably, anything in between.

Well, shucks! This means that cousin Imran Mohammed could easily do his ten years, get out and commit another honor killing before he reaches 30 years of age. And, if he only gets ten years for every "life in prison" sentence, he'll be able to commit at least five additional honor killings before he dies of old age.

Consequently, I believe that the British definition of 'life in prison' is way too loosey-goosey to be meaningful. After all, if a person can be sentenced to life and get out after only ten years, than it's reasonable to assume that a person could be sentenced to life in prison with the minimum set at eight or five or two years. I expect it's even possible to impose a life sentence and set the minimum at only 30 days.

American Indians in London

(London, England) A group of 68 American Indians and chiefs from Virginia arrived in Britain yesterday for the big pow-wow 400th anniversary of the death of Pocahontas. The Algonquin Indian princess is buried at St. George's Church in the southeastern English town of Gravesend.

Chiefs of eight tribes will be given diplomatic treatment by the Brits who signed peace treaties with American Indian tribes in the 17th century.

Coors Chairman Pinched for DWI

(Golden, Colorado) At 11:25 PM on May 28 in Golden, a Colorado State Trooper stopped and arrested Pete Coors, Chairmen of the Coors Brewing Co., for drunken driving. He goes to court next week.

Embarrassing? I'd say.

Gorgeous Pamela Rogers Goes Before the Judge

(McMinnville, Tennessee) The saga of 28-year-old Pamela Rogers, a woman who appears to be building an international reputation for irresponsibility, continues with new indictments being served on the former teacher at the Warren County Jail, her current residence.

Here's a quick recap of the Rogers story.

In August 2005, for her conviction on child sex assault charges, Rogers was sentenced to nine months incarceration and subsequent supervised probation of seven years, three months. Her sentence was quite lenient since she originally faced 15 counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and 13 counts of statutory rape of a 13-year-old boy.

In February 2006, Pamela Rogers was released from jail on probation with specific orders not to communicate with her victim in any manner. Given the circumstances, a prudent person would have plotted out a squeaky-clean life of respectability, at least for the duration of the probation.

Unfortunately, Pamela Rogers isn't a prudent decision-maker. On April 11, less than two months after being released from jail, Rogers was arrested for violating the terms of her probation by repeatedly contacting her victim. She was set free on $10,000 bond until a July hearing.

Astonishingly, on April 24 Rogers was rearrested for the same probation violation, contacting the victim. She was discovered to have sent sexually explicit videos to the boy via a cameraphone. As a consequence, a judge ordered Rogers to stay in jail until her July hearing.

Rogers will be in court this afternoon to face four counts of sexual solicitation of a minor for her actions since completing her nine-month sentence. Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley will also decide what shall be done about Rogers violating her probation. The judge may opt to send Rogers back to jail to complete her original eight-year sentence.

Inquiring minds await today's decision.

Chronology of Pamela Rogers:

05/09/06 - Gorgeous Pamela Rogers Jailed Until July,
05/01/06 - Pamela Rogers Video Released,
04/26/06 - Gorgeous Pamela Rogers Busted Again,
04/12/06 - Gorgeous Pamela Rogers Violates Probation,
02/27/06 - Pamela Rogers Released From Jail,
08/11/05 - 'Gorgeous' Teacher Gets 9 Months for Child Sex,
02/09/05 - Pamela Turner - Charged With Raping Schoolboy

I'll post an update after the court appearance.


[Update 07/14/06, 1730 EDT]

From ABC News:

A judge sent a former teacher to prison for seven years Friday for violating her probation by sending sexually explicit photos to a young teenage boy.

A tearful Rogers was apologetic as she was taken away in handcuffs. She's going to the women's prison in Nashville.

The ruling was expected. Nobody ever deserved revocation of her probation more than Rogers.

According to District Attorney Potter, the most recent charges regarding sending sexually explicit images via cameraphone will be adjudicated separate from the probation violation. No date was disclosed for court proceedings.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.


[Update 01/11/07]

Rogers sentenced again.

Tyson Announces Cuts of 850 Jobs

(Springdale, Arkansas) Sales of beef, chicken and pork are slow. Blame it on avian flu, mad cow, vegetarian activism or the alignment of the planets. Despite the reasons, the world's largest meat producer, Tyson Foods Inc., says it will eliminate 850 jobs in an attempt to prop up the bottom line. Targeted are 420 management jobs and 430 jobs currently unfilled.

No hourly workers are expected to be laid off.

I wonder whether the laid-off managers will complain about no cuts of jobs they won't do.

Counselor Arrested for Sex with Autistic Student

(Indianapolis, Indiana) A 31-year-old behavioral counselor at the Sanders School for special needs children, Becci Hill, was arrested after police caught her and a 15-year-old autistic boy steaming up the windows of her car at about 3:30 AM along a rural road. Reportedly, Hill and the boy were nude and engaging in sex when the officers approached the car. Hill faces charges of sexual misconduct and child solicitation.

The school had assigned Hill to mentor the autistic boy who is considered functional. He told investigators that he and Hill had sex on several occasions at her home and at motels.

Hill was booked into the Marion County Jail on $10,000 bond. Wayne Township Schools suspended her from her counseling position. If convicted, Hill faces 11 years in prison.


[Update 01/11/07]

Hill sentenced.

Georgia School Big Gets 8 Years for Being a Crook

(Atlanta, Georgia) Former Georgia State School Superintendent, Linda Schrenko, accepted a plea agreement halfway through her trial for fraud and money laundering and was sentenced by United States District Judge Clarence Cooper to eight years in federal prison.

She was also ordered to pay $414,000 in restitution, to give up her personal vehicle, and to pay a $200 special assessment. In exchange, Schrenko ratted out her accomplices, Deputy Superintendent Merle Temple and Stephan Botes, owner of a computer consulting company.

Get this. Schrenko and her accomplices stole over a half million dollars of money pegged for educating deaf kids and laundered it into her election campaign for governor, which she lost. The money came from federal taxpayer funds. Schrenko also paid over $9,000 for a face lift out of the money.

Schrenko is 56 now and she'll be close to collecting Social Security when she gets out. Her partners in crime, Temple and Botes, are scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Blind ambition and no conscience leads to ruin.

A Criminal Liberties Union

This week's Blogburst is at Stop The ACLU. Customarily, I like to put together my blogburst posts independently based on research conducted during the week. However, this week is different and I must defer to the fine compilation post by Jay.

Unless a person has extreme beliefs, it's hard for any liberal or conservative to disagree with Jay's assertions regarding the ACLU's attitudes towards crime and criminals. The piece outlines The ACLU's initiatives on crime and it convincingly supports the viewpoint that the ACLU advocates almost exclusively for criminals at the expense of law enforcement and punishment. It is a thoroughly researched and well-written post and it demonstrates that the ACLU can be counted on to oppose the law enforcers and the victims of crime. Go visit.

This is a production of Stop The ACLU Blogburst. If you would like to join, please email Jay@stoptheaclu.com or GribbitR@gmail.com. You will be added to the mailing list and blogroll. Over 200 blogs are already on-board.

Israel Bombs Beirut Airport, Imposes Blockade

(Beirut, Lebanon) Israeli Air Force jets bombed holes into the runways of Beirut International Airport, forcing officials to close the facility.

From ITV.com:

Lebanese security sources said at least six rockets were fired at runways and a nearby road, forcing flights to divert to Cyprus.

The terminal building and planes were not hit and it was not immediately clear how badly the raid had damaged the runways but the airport is now closed.

According to a report from the Bahrain News Agency, Israel Radio announced today that the IDF has imposed a sea, land, and aviation blockade on Lebanon until further notice. Israel intends to choke off weapons supplies to Hezbollah, which are believed to be supplied by Iran via Syria. Consequently, I'd assume that the current conflict will quickly expand beyond Lebanon to Syria.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Teacher and 13-Year-Old Boy

(St. Albans, Vermont) Teaching assistant at Missisquoi Valley Union High School, 24-year-old Melanie Hackett, was arrested last March for having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy. Allegations of sex with the student surfaced after Hackett told another teaching assistant of the relationship. Hackett pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexual abuse in Vermont District Court in St. Albans.

In the latest development in the case, prosecutors indicate that Hackett is expected to plead guilty to a reduced charge of lewd and lascivious conduct as part of an agreement which dismisses the more serious charges. A court date has not yet been scheduled.


[Update 11/09/06]

Plea deal rejected by judge. Hackett going to trial.


[Update 03/03/07]

Hackett sentenced.

War in Middle East

Breaking News! Israelis Strike Gaza City!

(Gaza) After being warned, Israeli rockets destroyed the Palestinian Foreign Ministry in Gaza City about an hour ago (2am local time) in retaliation for the kidnapping of two IDF soldiers. At present, there are no confirmed deaths. Thirteen are believed injured.

Hezbollah terrorists are blamed for the kidnappings of two Israelis along the northern border, ostensibly, to initiate a prisoner exchange. Israel responded by calling it an act of war and sent troops across the border into Lebanon and rockets at Gaza City.

Damage to Foreign Ministry was substantial but it was not leveled. Gaza remains without power from an earlier Israeli action. (Source: FOXNEWS)

[Update - 2015 EDT] Allah is all over the details at HotAir. Is Syria the next target?

Lake Erie - The Saudi Arabia of Wind Power

Yes, that's what U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D - OH) said yesterday at Bowling Green State University's Firelands campus.

From ToledoBlade.com:

But no more wind turbines should be built along the lake shoreline until all potential impacts on wildlife have been studied in depth, Miss Kaptur added. The same goes for entertaining any proposals to install them in the open waters of the Great Lakes, she added.

Marcy, Marcy, Marcy! You're not being real!

To be the Saudi Arabia of wind power, thousands upon thousands of wind turbines would have to be constructed, operated and maintained. There is no way to avoid chopping up massive numbers of birds since primary flight corridors for migration of many species cross Lake Erie. There is also the NIMBY factor (not in my back yard) to consider. How many Ohioans want to see these tall structures in their backyards? Not many, I'd guess.

Currently, the largest modern wind turbines generate around five megawatts of electricity. To replace the power generated by one large base-loaded fossil or nuclear facility, at least 200 of the largest wind turbines would be needed and the wind would have to blow all the time. Typically, these large units are operated in locations with low population density such as in the mountains or offshore. Frankly, I don't believe the Lake Erie coastline qualifies as being low population density and the public would fight the idea.

Agreed, it's politically prudent to support trendy alternative energy initiatives and it's expected that rhetoric will be packed with exaggerations. Nevertheless, comparing potential Lake Erie wind power to Saudi Arabia's oil production is beyond hyperbole.

And, even though I don't think there's a chance of wind energy being a large source of power for Ohio, I support it as being part of the mix. That is, as long as it pays for itself.

Mancow Leaves Chicago Airwaves

Mancow has been let go prior to the end of his contract.

From CBS2Chicago.com:

There's a big shake-up in Chicago radio. He's one of the most popular and polarizing personalities in town. Erich "Mancow" Muller has been let go from Q101.

I get the impression that Mancow has some irons in the fire which possibly led to his departure from Q101.

Shoe Bomber Passed Screening Last Week in Houston

Imagine that you are an airport screener. The X-ray of a man's carry-on bag displays an apparent laptop computer. You ask the man if he has a laptop. He says no. You look in his bag and find a laptop. You also find a clock with a 9-volt battery taped to it and a copy of the Quran. You examine the man's shoes and find that the soles have been gutted out.

A responsible law enforcement officer is called and determines that the man is no threat even though he has all the attributes of a shoe bomber without the actual explosives. The man was cleared for travel.

That's pretty much what happened last week at the Houston Hobby Airport. One has to wonder if a rational thinking person would have made the same call. I think not and some heads should roll on this incident.

Debbie Schlussel has the story.

Bush Causes Head Injury

After banging his skull from a fall, having his cranium drilled and drained of fluid, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards now remembers clearly that it wasn't a tree from which he fell. It was a bush.

Okay, joke writers, have at it.

Russian Asks Putin For OK to Marry Cow

When the institution of marriage is redefined, anything is possible.

From MOSNews.com:

A young Russian farmer from the small village in the Kemerovo region (South Siberia) has asked President Vladimir Putin to allow him to marry a cow, the Komsomolskaya Pravda daily reported Monday.

"All girls have left our small village and moved to the city, so I cannot find a woman to be with. But I see the solution to the problem. I love animals very much and want to ask you when it will be allowed in Russia, as it is in Holland, to marry domestic animals?"

I didn't know that a person could marry a cow in Holland. It's hardly surprising, though. A lot of weirdness comes from Holland.

My take on the whole issue is that nobody should be allowed to marry anything that could end up on a dinner plate.

Terror in India, Bombs Kill Scores

(Mumbai, India) Grenade attacks in Srinagar, killing eight, preceded seven bomb blasts killing at least 144 on commuter trains in Mumbai, India's financial center.

From IndiaTimes.com:

Over 300 people were injured in the string of blasts in first-class compartments of suburban trains around 6 pm, during peak-hour traffic.

As the blasts ripped apart train compartments, mangled bodies of passengers were hurled out and survivors, many of them bleeding profusely, jostled to come out, leading to chaotic scenes.

The blasts occurred between 6.24 pm and 6.35 pm at Mahim, Bandra, Matunga, Borivili, Mira Road, Jogeshwari and Khar when most office-goers were returning home.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh late on Tuesday reviewed the security situation in the aftermath of blasts in Mumbai and Srinagar after which he expressed the government's resolve to "fight and defeat the evil designs of terrorists."

One train was reported to be split in half. Mumbai was put on red alert. Wired timing devices were said to be used on all seven high-intensity explosions. Security in Delhi was heightened.

In a report from New Delhi, intelligence sources said the terror attack on Mumbai trains was carried out by Lashkar-e-Toiba and local Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists. The assertions are based on information about Lashkar's sleeper cells and the scale of the bombings. Officials believe the terrorists wanted to cause communal mayhem.

Another report from Greater Kashmir states that 147 passengers have died and 439 are injured. BBC reports that the simultaneous bombings killed at least 160 and 460 are injured.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.


[Update 07/13/06]

It has been confirmed that the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) were involved in the Mumbai blasts. Investigators found that all bombs were placed in the luggage rack of the compartments and timers were used to trigger the blasts.

A strong Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) link was also found. According to K.V. Raghuvanshi, joint commissioner of police (Anti-Terrorist Squad - ATS), the Mumbai terror cell was set up about four years ago with the joining of the LeT and the SIMI. Although they were known, security forces have had difficulty intercepting planned attacks.

Latest casualty counts total 200 dead and 714 injured in Mumbai and seven dead and 37 injured in Srinagar. That's about a thousand innocent victims of Islamic terrorism in one day. Allah must be proud of the followers of the religion of peace.

Teacher Gets Probation in Sex Case

(Liberty Township, Ohio) In May, 34-year-old teacher at Lakota East High School, Angela Johnson, was arrested by Butler County Sheriff's detectives for allegedly attempting to seduce an 18-year-old male student.

Reportedly, she engaged in inappropriate conversations and improper text messaging with the student. Additionally, investigators found that Johnson had inappropriately sent underwear to the student as a gift. Johnson was booked on attempted sexual battery and later resigned her position with the school.

Yesterday, as part of a plea agreement Johnson was sentenced by Judge Patricia Oney in Butler County Common Pleas Court to two years of probation and 250 hours of community service for one misdemeanor charge of contributing to the unruliness of a minor. She was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and to surrender her Ohio teaching certificate.

Although the married mother of a preschooler avoided jail time, Johnson has suffered significant embarrassment, ruined lifelong friendships and destroyed her career. Judge Oney said she wants Johnson to work off her community service hours by speaking to prospective educators about the perils of inappropriate behavior.

China & Cuba - Like Peas and Carrots

(Beijing, China) With the Soviet Union only a fond memory in communist circles, China has stepped in as the replacement utopian straw boss for Cuba.

From Xinhuanet.com:

Officials of the communist parties of China and Cuba pledged here Monday to expand relations and fortify the friendship between the two peoples.

Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said in a meeting with visiting Cuban vice president of the Council of State Esteban Lazo Hernandez that China valued its ties with Cuba and was willing to enhance relations.

"The two nations have established frequent high level exchanges and forged an important common understanding on how to enhance the substantial cooperation," Li said.

He also expressed his appreciation for Cuba's support for China on the issues of Taiwan and Tibet.

Lazo, also a member of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee Political Bureau and the committee's secretariat, said the Cuban people appreciated China's achievements in its socialist construction with Chinese characteristics.

So, now we have the perfect socialist triad of China, Cuba, and Venezuela to threaten the United States. It's not really surprising. In fact, it's old news. However, since U.S. security will likely be challenged in the next few decades by these three nations, it's well worth reminding everybody.

Maybe history will repeat itself and we'll endure another Cuban Missile Crisis. Fortunately, based on recent political machinations, both the Supreme Court and Congress will be prepared to debate the rights of Cuba to target its Chinese-made missiles at Kansas City, Washington, and New York.

Changing tone, imagine the Cubans tackling Chinese and the ChiComs fumbling with Spanish. That thought crossed my mind when I read that "the Cuban people appreciated China's achievements in its socialist construction with Chinese characteristics." I have no idea what that means.

Americans Beheaded & Mutilated by Al Qaeda

Breaking story!

Rusty Shackleford has the images and video released on the Internet today by an al Qaeda-linked group. The video shows the mutilated bodies of two American soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division, Kristian Menchaca and Thomas Tucker. The imagery is graphic and disturbing. Readers are strongly cautioned.

Hopefully, Americans become familiar with these latest atrocities and they reacquire the visceral disgust and outrage experienced on 9/11. Only when the public is seething can we hope to force the SCOTUS and Congress to drop their namby-pamby "detainees rights" philosophy toward fighting a war and adopt an attitude which supports defeating a barbarian enemy.

The United States has been speaking softly long enough. It's time for the big stick.