What is worse than running a vigilante group? Giving the vigilante group an award for their "service"

Christopher Rydgig, an Edward Jones Financial Advisor in Maryville, IL, gave an award to Kyle Swanson of KTS Predator Hunters. Feel free to share your disgust at:

Phone: (618) 223-5138

Email: christopher.rydgig@edwardjones.com

or

https://www.facebook.com/ejadvisorchristopherrydgig/photos/1574139389443146

Mr. Rydgig should vet their award recipients a lot better, because:

1. KTS Predator Hunters is currently being sued by autistic man they tried setting up: As mentioned in yesterday's article, KTS Predator Hunters has been sued, and the group is claiming the lawsuit may cause them to cease operations. (Good.) KTS is trying to raise $7500 for attorney fees but thankfully has only raised $900 on GoFundMe so far. I've reported that campaign so hopefully it will be removed soon. 

i'm amazed they weren't taken to task when members of their vigilante page made nasty remarks on the Madison County IL Sheriff's Office Facebook page. As The Telegraph notes, 

"The Sheriff’s Department made several postings in response to the incident on its Facebook page, but eventually took them down because of the confrontational nature of the group’s responses, according to Vucich."

2. KTS Predator Hunters has been in a dispute with local law enforcement agencies: The Telegraph reported in August 2020 that "KTS Predator Hunters LLC, has been in a feud with the sheriff’s department since an incident in Alton late last month. Madison County Chief Deputy Sheriff Major Jeff Connor, who also is the commander of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, said he believes the group has good intentions, but are going about it improperly, making it difficult for law enforcement to prosecute. That was echoed by Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons, who said he had met with representatives of the group about 18 months ago, when he told them how they needed to work with local law enforcement... Connor also said that, according to video recorded at the scene, they threatened the man and “took weed” from the man. “We don’t know what they did with it,” said Connor in reference to the alleged marijuana. “We know they didn’t turn it over to the police.” Later in the monthly county judiciary meeting, Gibbons said he had talked to representatives of the KTS group and “explained to them how the methods they were using made it virtually impossible for us to charge somebody.” Gibbons said that when someone is identified as abusing or endangering children “that is when you call 911. “Once you go and arrange a meeting with these people, the investigation is beyond where we will be able to obtain additional evidence,” he said.

3. KTS had been kicked off social media at least once already: Considering how hard it is to get these groups kicked off Facebook, they must have done something quite horrific to have had their previous account deleted. 

They are currently at risk for deletion yet again:

It may be partially because KTS also posted siome QAnon propaganda and is friends with the doucherag David Rowe from No Peace For Predators, another QAnon conspiracy crackpot:

4. Most of KTS's "cases" do not lead to arrests or convictions: Even before counties in Missouri outright banned using vigilante group data for arrests, most of KTS Predatror Hunter's "exposes" went absolutely nowhere; even when an arrest was made, cases were later dropped. Similar cases in Illinois, where KTS now operates, were also dropped due to KTS incompetence. 

5. KTS Predator Hunters doesn't mind engaging in risky behavior: KTS set up one of their entrapment opertaions in the parking lot of a grade school, which alarmed local officials. "Collinsville Unit School District 10 officials were disturbed to learn that one of these sting-like operations took place Monday night in the parking lot of Webster Elementary School. The target was a Missouri man who apparently thought he was meeting a 13-year-old girl. Instead, he faced two members of the metro-east group KTS Predator Hunters. They interrogated and reprimanded him for about 10 minutes as video cameras recorded the scene. 'This group had no involvement, agreement or communication with the school district or local law enforcement before, during or after this occurred,' Superintendent Brad Skertich said Thursday. 'They were completely on their own.'"

OK, for those wondering why data from a vigilante group is generally not used in a real criminal case, look up the term "Fruit of the Poisonous Tree." In the case leading to the dispute with the Madison Co IL Sheriff's Dept, The Telegraph noted, 

"The alleged incident took place Wednesday in the parking lot of a Walgreens on State Street in Alton, but both county and city law enforcement officials said they received either no or haphazard information prior to the actual incident, and have not been contacted since." 

We don't know all of what was said during this conversation. How do we even know proper protocol was followed and the alleged predator is actually intending to meet an underage person? When vigilante groups dick with providing potential evidence, it is unusable. 

I'm sure to get plenty of nasty messages from this group for posting this, so I'll be sure to submit this to the attorney for the man suing these losers as well as posting them here. 

Kyle Swanson of KTS Predator Hunters sued by austistic person he bullied online

Currently, Kyle Swanson is begging for legal defense funds or his vigilante group will cease operations. 

I hope he loses big. Here's why KTS Predator Hunters should be taken down:

1. KTS Predator Hunters is currently being sued by autistic man they tried setting up: As mentioned in yesterday's article, KTS Predator Hunters has been sued, and the group is claiming the lawsuit may cause them to cease operations. (Good.) KTS is trying to raise $7500 for attorney fees but thankfully has only raised $900 on GoFundMe so far. I've reported that campaign so hopefully it will be removed soon. I'm amazed they weren't taken to task when members of their vigilante page made nasty remarks on the Madison County IL Sheriff's Office Facebook page. As The Telegraph notes, "The Sheriff’s Department made several postings in response to the incident on its Facebook page, but eventually took them down because of the confrontational nature of the group’s responses, according to Vucich."

2. KTS Predator Hunters has been in a dispute with local law enforcement agencies: The Telegraph reported in August 2020 that "KTS Predator Hunters LLC, has been in a feud with the sheriff’s department since an incident in Alton late last month. Madison County Chief Deputy Sheriff Major Jeff Connor, who also is the commander of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, said he believes the group has good intentions, but are going about it improperly, making it difficult for law enforcement to prosecute. That was echoed by Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons, who said he had met with representatives of the group about 18 months ago, when he told them how they needed to work with local law enforcement... Connor also said that, according to video recorded at the scene, they threatened the man and “took weed” from the man. “We don’t know what they did with it,” said Connor in reference to the alleged marijuana. “We know they didn’t turn it over to the police.” Later in the monthly county judiciary meeting, Gibbons said he had talked to representatives of the KTS group and “explained to them how the methods they were using made it virtually impossible for us to charge somebody.” Gibbons said that when someone is identified as abusing or endangering children “that is when you call 911. “Once you go and arrange a meeting with these people, the investigation is beyond where we will be able to obtain additional evidence,” he said.

3. KTS had been kicked off social media at least once already: Considering how hard it is to get these groups kicked off Facebook, they must have done something quite horrific to have had their previous account deleted. They are currently at risk for deletion yet again. It may be partially because KTS also posted siome QAnon propaganda and is friends with the doucherag David Rowe from No Peace For Predators, another QAnon conspiracy crackpot.

4. Most of KTS's "cases" do not lead to arrests or convictions: Even before counties in Missouri outright banned using vigilante group data for arrests, most of KTS Predatror Hunter's "exposes" went absolutely nowhere; even when an arrest was made, cases were later dropped. Similar cases in Illinois, where KTS now operates, were also dropped due to KTS incompetence. 

5. KTS Predator Hunters doesn't mind engaging in risky behavior: KTS set up one of their entrapment opertaions in the parking lot of a grade school, which alarmed local officials. "Collinsville Unit School District 10 officials were disturbed to learn that one of these sting-like operations took place Monday night in the parking lot of Webster Elementary School. The target was a Missouri man who apparently thought he was meeting a 13-year-old girl. Instead, he faced two members of the metro-east group KTS Predator Hunters. They interrogated and reprimanded him for about 10 minutes as video cameras recorded the scene. 'This group had no involvement, agreement or communication with the school district or local law enforcement before, during or after this occurred,' Superintendent Brad Skertich said Thursday. 'They were completely on their own.'"

https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article246480085.html

Former security guard sues sex ‘predator hunters’ for defamation in Randolph County

BY TERI MADDOX

OCTOBER 16, 2020 07:30 AM, 

A metro-east group that posts photos, videos and other information on social media to expose and shame suspected pedophiles is being sued for defamation by a Randolph County man.

Adrian Collins filed a lawsuit in Randolph County Circuit Court last month against KTS Predator Hunters and its founder, Kyle Swanson, of Belleville.

In his complaint, Collins maintains that Swanson posted a Facebook conversation between Collins and someone identified as “Jordan Lane” in June on the KTS Facebook page and falsely called it a “sex trafficking situation,” insinuated that Collins was “grooming” a 14-year-old girl and referred to Collins as “very creepy.”

“Plaintiff did not inquire as to (Jordan Lane’s) age at the time of his conversation with her,” according to the complaint, which states that Collins has Asperger syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.

The complaint also states that Collins received threats online after KTS posted his conversation, lost his job as a security guard at Red Bud Regional Hospital and hasn’t been able to find other employment.

The lawsuit asks for in excess of $50,000 for compensatory damages and in excess of $50,000 for punitive damages.

“Defendants maliciously and intentionally caused the publication of the false statements to a Facebook page with thousands of followers for the purpose of harming the Plaintiff’s good reputation,” the complaint states.

Collins is represented by Belleville attorney Megan Gilbreth, who filed the lawsuit on Sept. 4. Swanson later motioned for dismissal. An attorney wasn’t listed in his motion.

“Plaintiff was well aware of the age of the decoy,” it stated.

Randolph County Circuit Court Judge Richard Brown denied the motion to dismiss the lawsuit on Sept. 25. Swanson has 30 days from that date to answer the complaint.

KTS announced the lawsuit Wednesday on the Facebook page of its non-profit organization, KTS: Stop Sexual Assault. The group is asking its more than 47,000 followers to donate money for legal fees.

“Wondering why we haven’t been doing live meet ups lately?” the post asked, using the term “meet ups” to describe videotaped confrontations with suspected pedophiles that are sometimes streamed live on Facebook or YouTube.

“We are currently in a head to head battle with a former person we exposed and going to court with them. They’re attempting to sue ourselves and our owner personally. Our lawyers fees have added up and we’re looking for help. The down payment alone is $7,500.

“Please take a second share this. We can’t continue operations till this is over and may shut down KTS completely if we don’t raise enough money for an attorney.”

Group leaders didn’t return a call seeking comment.

Predator-hunting groups can be found all over the country. Some were inspired by “To Catch a Predator,” a reality TV series that was part of NBC’s “Dateline” from 2004 to 2007. Police were involved in most of its episodes.

KTS members communicate with suspected pedophiles on the internet and sometimes lure the adult men to locations in Illinois and Missouri under the pretense that they are minor girls willing to meet and presumably have sex.

Then KTS members show up at the locations, confront suspects, videotape confrontations and post videos on Facebook or YouTube. The idea is to shame and perhaps scare the adult men into stopping their activities, as KTS has no legal authority to arrest them.

As of Thursday afternoon, nearly 150 followers had offered support on the KTS: Stop Sexual Assault Facebook page in response to news of the Randolph County lawsuit. Some suggested legal strategies or reported that they had donated money. Others called for protests at Swanson’s court appearances.

“With the mission y’all have I would think you should be able to find an amazing lawyer pro bono because who doesn’t want these monsters called out?” one commenter wrote.

KTS made headlines last month, when one of its sting-like operations involving a Missouri man took place in the parking lot of Webster Elementary School in Collinsville after school hours.

Brad Skertich, superintendent of Collinsville Unit School District 10, sent an email to parents and guardians of students, assuring them that no actual children were involved.

“This group had no involvement, agreement or communication with the school district or local law enforcement before, during or after this occurred,” he told the BND. “They were completely on their own.”

In his letter, Skertich called the incident “alarming” and noted that the district had contacted Collinsville Police Department to help it determine how to move forward in light of the Missouri man’s actions and the KTS group’s decision to lure a “potentially dangerous adult” onto school property.

Skertich also urged parental guidance.

“The situation serves as a harsh reminder that we must regularly monitor our children’s internet and phone usage, discuss safe and unsafe practices, and have regular conversations about who they communicate with throughout the day,” he wrote.

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons has reportedly met with KTS members and asked them to start telling police about contacts with suspected pedophiles instead of taking matters into their own hands so proper investigations could lead to criminal charges.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in 2019 that a handful of men had been arrested after being confronted by KTS Predator Hunters or members of a St. Louis group called Truckers Against Predators, but most of those cases were dropped.

“Some local law enforcement officials (said the groups) create volatile situations that should be left to trained professionals, and unleash a form of mob justice that’s hard to control,” the Post reported.

DAP Smear - Sandusky Co., OH law enforcement agencies issue stern warning to vigilante group "Dads Against Predators"

Here's an idea-- instead of idle threats, how about arresting these thugs?

(Not that the cops are doing much better, bragging about their own entrapment operations.)

I'd love to see these thugs in prison where they belong. 

https://nbc24.com/news/local/law-enforcement-calling-on-dads-against-predators-to-cease-operations

Law enforcement calling on Dads Against Predators to cease operations

by Aaron LeedyMonday, October 19th 2020

FREMONT, Ohio — A group of people made up of police chiefs, a prosecutor and a sheriff are calling on the organization Dads Against Predators, also known as Dap, Inc., to cease operations because they say it affects their ability to properly capture and prosecute people accused of sex crimes against children.

The Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office says Dap, Inc. posts several videos showing themselves encountering people in various community locations and exposing them as child predators.

Authorities said in a news release issued October 19 that after luring individuals to meet with Dap, Inc. members at a location for a potential sexual encounter, DAP records and publishes the chat communication, as well as the-face-to-face encounter on their Facebook page and YouTube channel.

“Unfortunately, DAP fails to potentially realize that it is creating seriously hazardous and potentially dangerous situations in community settings,” the news release stated. “By conducting these ‘operations’ in the manner that they do, it renders law enforcement unable to criminally charge these individuals and prosecutors unable to prosecute. Therefore, these potential predators are able to walk away with no repercussions for what they had the intent to do. DAP has, in essence, educated these people on ways to not get caught in the future, thus creating the potential for future victims of sexual assault. These victims are the very people we, as law enforcement, prosecutors and mental health professionals, are here to help and protect."

The news release was signed by Sandusky County Sheriff Christopher Hilton, Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Executive Director Mircea Handru, Sandusky County Prosecutor Beth Tischler, City of Fremont Law Director Jim Melle, Fremont Police Chief Dean Bliss, Green Springs Police Chief Charles Home, Clyde Police Chief Monti Campbell and Bellevue Police Chief Marc Linder.

"Local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors of Sandusky County and the City of Fremont cannot and will not sit back anymore and watch as DAP continues to parade its form of vigilante justice. Its intentions may be well intended, but their methods and outcomes are improper and unacceptable. The 'exposed' individuals may be exactly what DAP says they are, but they also may not be. DAP's careless and reckless regard for law and order and due process has resulted in the loss of life, and the situation has gotten out of hand," the news release stated.

"We ask DAP to stop, step aside and let law enforcement do what they are trained to do, which is to successfully find, investigate, arrest and prosecute those who would attempt to harm the most vulnerable of our society, our children. The judicial system shall decide whether these individuals are in fact guilty or not guilty; and everyone has the right to a due process. We will fight for them as we fight for all victims of abuse and crime. We will help those who have been victimized. In Fremont and Sandusky County, we have the resources available to help victims and will do so at a moment's notice. We are dedicated to protecting and serving everyone," authorities said. "Should DAP continue their vigilante efforts, we may be forced to prosecute them for their actions."

DAP creator Joshua Mundy says the organization started in January of this year. DAP's website is a single page directing people to a donation page. The website claims DAP has caught more than 46 predators. DAP's social media pages are more active, featuring videos of encounters.

"We were surprised by it. I didn't see it coming," said Mundy in response to the announcement from law enforcement.

Mundy told NBC 24 in a phone interview he wished authorities would have spoken privately with him first before making a public statement. He said he plans to go to the sheriff's office and speak with the sheriff directly.

"If I'm doing something illegal, then I need to be prosecuted already. If you're not going to prosecute me, then I feel like you're playing a silly game with justice," said Mundy. "I feel like there's nothing they can prosecute me with because I've worked within the law this whole time," said Mundy. "Go and watch the videos for yourself and you'll see that we have nothing but proof. By them saying it's impossible for them to work with us is a flat-out lie." he said.

Mundy said he has had success working with certain law enforcement agencies, specifically the Woodville Police Department.

Sandusky County authorities say so far this year, their own efforts led to several arrests and highlighted several initiatives and sting operations spanning several months. Two of those initiatives were an undercover sting that resulted in 15 arrests and a sex offender registration sweep that resulted in eight arrests.

https://www.13abc.com/2020/10/19/sandusky-sheriff-threatens-to-prosecute-dap-vigilantes-after-multiple-suicides-connected-to-sting-videos/

Sandusky Sheriff threatens to prosecute DAP after multiple suicides connected to sting videos

Multiple law enforcement agencies warning the Dads Against Predators group to stop entrapping, recording men they track on the internet.

By WTVG Staff

Published: Oct. 19, 2020 at 5:17 PM CDT|Updated: 15 hours ago

FREMONT, Ohio (WTVG) - A vigilante group that records videos of men allegedly looking to meet minors for sex is being warned by multiple law enforcement agencies to stop what they’re doing or face potential prosecution after two suicides.

The group, the Fremont chapter of Dads Against Predators, was specifically targeted in a letter signed by the Sandusky County Sheriff and County Prosecutor, as well as multiple police chiefs in the county.

“Local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors of Sandusky County and the City of Fremont cannot and will not sit back anymore and watch as DAP continues to parade its form of vigilante justice,” the letter, released Monday, read. “Its intentions may be well-intended, but their methods and outcomes are improper and unacceptable. The ‘exposed’ individuals may be exactly what DAP says they are, but they also may not be. DAP’s careless and reckless regard for law and order and due process has resulted in the loss of life, and the situation has gotten out of hand.”

Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton said “loss of life” was a reference to two individuals who died by suicide after DAP posted videos of them on YouTube, and third suspected suicide, where a man died a day after his DAP video was posted online.

The letter lists multiple actions law enforcement has taken in 2020 to combat sex offenders, including dozens of arrests.

Allison Black Cornelius stalks Registered Person she accused of abusing her almost 50 years ago, lobbies to interfere with pardon

I have always disagreed that alleged victims should be allowed an opinion on the right to be pardoned. After all, what we are seeing with Ms. Cornelius's campaign is a prime example of abuse of that privilege. A man has served his time and yet is continuously unable to be given the chance to be restored because a person labeled a victim will not let go nearly 50 years after the fact.

I say alleged because an accusation that old is hard to prove, and knowing the conviction came during the height of the Satanic Panic scares, when many people were falsely accused of multiple rapes of children as part of some kind of underground Satanic cabal. This conspiracy theory was recently revived with the Pizzagate/ QAnon conspiracies, something completely fabricated by the online troll community 4Chan. I have to wonder if this alleged victim didn't fall for the SRA hoax as well. Plenty of people back then believed they were abused when they were not actually abused.

None of these things should be considered for Mr. Prince's pardon hearing. This hearing should be on the merits of Leon's time since his release and nothing more. Leon was already judged and convicted and served time. What has he done since that time? He at least tried to work to help others, which is more han I can say for Ms. Corneluis. She has stalked this man with the blessings of the state of Alabama for 14 years since Leon's release, including lobbying to have him placed on the registry through an unconstitutional ex post facto law.

Allison, if you read this, I sent MY OWN email to the pardon board in opposition to your campaign. I think you should be arrested for harassment. 

If my readers with to be a voice of reason against this campaign of unforgiveness and hatemongering, email pardons@paroles.alabama.gov

https://www.al.com/news/2020/10/you-destroyed-our-lives-alabama-woman-opposes-pardon-for-sunday-school-teacher-who-raped-her-in-1972.html

'You destroyed our lives’: Alabama woman opposes pardon for Sunday School teacher who raped her in 1972

Updated Oct 05, 2020; Posted Oct 05, 2020

By Carol Robinson | crobinson@al.com

It’s been nearly 50 years since Leon Albert Prince raped a 7-year-old girl who was a student in his Sunday School class and now, 14 years after he walked out of prison, he is seeking a pardon from the state of Alabama.

However, the 76-year-old Prince, who served 15 years of a 30-year sentence, isn’t asking his victim or victims for forgiveness. Prince has requested a state pardon and will go before the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles in two weeks to plead his case.

It’s a move that infuriates his victim, Allison Black Cornelius, who has long been outspoken about the horrendous crimes committed against her and remains devoted to the fight for her abuser to be held accountable. "It seems to me the very first person he would want to get a pardon from would be me or one of his other 52 victims,'' Cornelius said. “It makes me angry.”

Repeated efforts to reach Prince for comment have been unsuccessful.

In an emotional Facebook Live video, Cornelius delivered a “message to my rapist” which she said she knew Prince would be watching.

A message to my rapist.... (please send your opposition to email below) and SHARE THIS! Join me in opposing Leon Albert Prince’s request for a pardon. His hearing is October 20, 2020 Please email your opposition to pardons@paroles.alabama.gov Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles

Posted by Allison Black Cornelius on Thursday, October 1, 2020

“I wanted to say to you personally, I am so tired of having to monitor and babysit you," she said in the Facebook video. "I have heard from 52 of your victims since you were convicted in 1991. I don’t understand, why did you think it was a good idea to ask the state of Alabama for a pardon before you asked me, or my mom, or dad. You were my youth pastor at Tarrant First Baptist Church when you did that. My dad and my mom trusted you. When you did this, you destroyed our lives.”

It was the national attention surrounding Prince’s trial that brought out dozens of victims – both boys and girls – who told of similar abuse by Prince. Cornelius, however, was the only one to take him to court.

“If you really deserve a pardon it would seem to me to you would have the asked us first," Cornelius said on Facebook. "You’ve never once looked me in the eye and acknowledged what you did. I’m going to tell you something Leon and I hate to admit it, but you dropped a bomb in our family when you did what you did. And you dropped a bomb in a lot of other children’s lives when you did what you did to them.”

Cornelius, now the executive director of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, was 7 years old in 1972 when Prince, her Sunday school teacher, molested and raped her. She has said in previous interviews that he headed the bus ministry at Tarrant First Baptist Church and told her if she did not do what he wanted her to, and if she told anyone what he was doing, he would kill her dog.

It wasn’t until 20 years later, when Cornelius could no long bear the thought that he could be harming other children, that she came forward. It became a landmark case that made national headlines when she testified against Prince in a Jefferson County court.

Prince was convicted, sentenced to 30 years and served 15, leaving prison in November 2006.

Just a year after his release, Cornelius discovered that Prince was working as a volunteer with Montgomery’s Frazer Memorial Baptist Church, and volunteering with youth male sex offenders at the state’s Mount Meigs Youth Center. A required background check was never conducted, and Prince had not been required to register as a sex offender under a loophole in the law.

Prince had been convicted of “carnal knowledge of a child” which was not explicitly listed as a crime under the Community Notification Act. Cornelius and lawmakers fought that, and won and, in 2008, a state administrative law judge said a state law that requires neighbors to be notified about a sex offender living nearby applied Prince. He is now registered as a sex offender and living in Deatsville.

Cornelius said she was recently notified that Prince had applied for a state pardon. All that is required to do so is to fill out a form on the agency’s website. Prince did so, and an Oct. 20 hearing was scheduled.

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles can grant a full pardon, or can grant a pardon with restrictions, such as the right to possess a firearm or registering as a sex offender. During Fiscal Year 2020, which began on Oct. 1, 2019 and ended on Sept. 30, 2020, there were a total of 509 pardon hearings. Of those, 210 pardons were granted and 299 were denied.

Cornelius said she was floored, and because Prince did not list a reason for his request on his application, she has no idea why he wants one now. "It set off alarm bells for me because there would be one reason he wants a pardon and that’s because he’s trying to something that he cannot do because he is a registered sex offender,'' Cornelius said.

"I asked the (board) is he applying for nursing school? Is he wishing to carry a firearm? We just don’t know why he’s up and asked for a pardon out of the blue,'' she said.

“I would think he would start with atonement of his victims and then once all of us were convinced of his incredible transformation, then we would all join him in going down to the parole board to ask to pardon it. I would think he would need a letter of support from us.”

Though Cornelius says she has forgiven Prince, she does not support a pardon.

"I don’t know if it’s a great idea if he’s walking around and nobody knows about his past,'' she said. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not hoping that when someone who has abused a child gets out of prison they can’t move anywhere or walk around safely without people hurting them. I’m not wishing that on anybody, but I do think it’s important for people to know who these folks are and what their background is.”

Forgiveness, Cornelius said, doesn’t erase consequences. "President Nixon has been forgiven but he can’t be president anymore,'' she said. “There are some things you do in life that you lose the privilege of getting to do what you want to do.”

“Absolutely you’re forgiven, especially if you’re a person who believes in Christ, but I don’t know that Christ says, ‘I forgive you and yes you can now back and work with children.’ He can’t live his life in a way that puts him around children – that can never happen again. Everywhere he went, he left vast destruction.”

In her video, in which she asked that those opposed to a pardon voice their concerns by either writing a letter to the board or make a donation to their favorite charity, Cornelius addressed Prince directly.

“I’m not saying you don’t deserve forgiveness, because the one thing you didn’t take from during that entire time you were raping and molesting and torturing me over those three month in 1972, you did not kill my faith. I have always had a strong faith. You didn’t take that from me. I have always had a purpose and I live that purpose because I knew if I didn’t, then I would probably succumb to all manner of addiction and brokenness and that would be me living on your purpose and that wasn’t going to happen.”

She said the pardon request had drudged up the issue all over again – though it never strays far from her thoughts, unfortunately.

“It just wears me out and I wanted you to know from me that I will do everything in my power if you want to continue to go public then I’m going to go public and talk about what you did to me and those other children. As much as it pains me and as hard as it is to be this vulnerable on a medium like this, I will do whatever I have to do to keep you from going under the radar ever again.”

Connor Coonfare made death threats and harassed a registrant, now he may land on the registry himself

About a month ago, I had posted harassment and threats from residents of the town of Washington, Iowa on my anti-vigilante blog, and one of them was an explicit threat from Connor Coonfare. Well what do you know, the dumbass went and committed a sex offense. In Iowa, an indecent exposure offense can lead to 10 years on the sex offense registry. 

No mercy for doucherag vigilantes!

https://www.kciiradio.com/2020/09/03/man-arrested-for-indecent-exposure-harassment-at-registered-sex-offenders-home/

MAN ARRESTED FOR INDECENT EXPOSURE, HARASSMENT AT REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER’S HOME

Posted By: Sally Hart September 3, 2020 @ 6:26 am 

Today's Local News

A Washington man has been arrested for harassment and indecent exposure. The incident happened at the residence of a registered sex offender near the Washington Middle School where people have been protesting since the school year began.

According to the Washington County Communications Office, on Tuesday 24-year-old Connor Alexander Coonfare was arrested. He faces charges of harassment in the first degree, an aggravated misdemeanor; harassment in the third degree, a simple misdemeanor; and indecent exposure, a serious misdemeanor. The incident happened at 2 a.m., when a man rang the doorbell and exposed himself when the resident opened the door. Coonfare had no previous criminal record in Iowa. He was taken to the Washington County Jail.

Washington Police Chief Jim Lester spoke of the issue during Tuesday’s city council meeting, “I can’t stress enough the importance to the public to not reach out, and not vandalize, harass, or make threatening comments to anybody else. They’re members of our community. We take all offenses, all violations of the law seriously, as we have to. And, you know we’re doing our best to keep everybody [safe]. I know the group that’s out there protesting sees us drive by a lot. I can tell you, when you’re not there, when you weren’t there last year, we’re driving by a lot. School patrol is a priority for us every single day.”

Lester explained that the registered sex offender at that house is on a lifetime parole with quarterly check-ins with the sheriff’s office, but he does not have residency restrictions. Those are placed by the court system based on the convicted charges. Also, Lester explained that the city cannot pass ordinances with its own restrictions per Iowa law, and those wanting to change that would have to speak with state legislators. 

Right now, Ron Book is looking at Cecilia Celeste Fulbright and thinking, "Why didn't I use that excuse?"

This has to be the dumbest excuse for drunken driving I've ever seen, even dumber than Ron Book's excuse. I bet Ron took notes on this for the nest time he rear ends a guy in a Lambo. 

https://wacotrib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/affidavit-drunk-driver-who-rammed-car-claimed-to-be-chasing-pedophile/article_5989fa98-49fb-5db1-a5f2-2cef7a42e009.html

Affidavit: Drunk driver who rammed car claimed to be chasing pedophile

Kristin Hoppa Aug 13, 2020 

Waco police arrested a 30-year-old woman Wednesday morning on driving while intoxicated and aggravated assault charges after she chased at least two cars and intentionally crashed into one, later telling police she thought she was chasing a pedophile who had kidnapped a girl, arrest affidavits state.

Officers arrested Cecilia Celeste Fulbright, of Waco, at about 10 a.m., after she crashed into a barrier near the gas pumps at H-E-B on North 19th Street, police reported.

A driver called police at about 9:20 a.m. to report a small red car had chased them on North 19th Street but that they were able to get away, according to the affidavit.

About 20 minutes later, another driver reported the red car was chasing her and that the driver, Fulbright, was yelling at her and rammed her car multiple times before the caller pulled into the H-E-B parking lot on 19th Street, the affidavit states.

"Ms. Fulbright pursued (the driver) through the parking lot striking her again and an uninvolved Dodge Durango before Ms. Fulbright crashed into a cement pylon at the gas pumps," police reported.

The other driver was uninjured.

When officers arrived, Fulbright was in her car "crying hysterically" and yelling that the other driver "was a pedophile and had kidnapped a girl for human trafficking." She said she rammed the other car "because she believed she was saving a child" from a pedophile she followed from Speegleville, but her account "did not match the timeline or any facts or evidence," the affidavit states.

She appeared to be "delusional" and under the influence of drugs, and a breath test showed her blood alcohol content was between 0.21% and 0.217%, more than double the legal limit of 0.08%, according to the affidavit. Officers reported they found "multiple cans of spray paint" in Fulbright's car. She said she had at least one beer but denied using other drugs, according to the affidavit.

After medical clearance, she was taken to McLennan County Jail on a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a Class A misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. She was released by Thursday on $11,000 bond.

Convicted Drug Offender Kevin Maxson is PA's Voice 4 the Brainless

 

Convicted dope boy Kevin Maxson runs a group called "Voices 4 the Voiceless", and while they generally protest stuff like jail conditions and give support to BLM issues, Maxson hypocritically wants increased punishment for Registered Persons. This is typical of BLM supporters, unfortunately. 

Maxson erroneously claims drug offenders like him get less time than someone convicted of a sex offense; that is complete bullshit. Perhaps if he stopped threatening violent actions, he would not spend that much time behind bars, but even then, he spent less time behind bars than a person convicted for a sex offense. Obviously, his time seerved did not help his overall lack of education on this subject. 

If Maxson was that worried about his community, he'd talk about drugs ands gangs, something far more of a problem than Registered Persons. 

https://www.abc27.com/news/local/harrisburg/activists-call-for-protecting-children-during-save-our-children-rally-in-harrisburg/

“I would like to see like a network of parents being out on the street, walking up and down the street, walking through the playgrounds,” said Kevin Maxson, CEO of Voices 4 the Voiceless. “I would like to see some of the people who are sexual offenders having to wear ankle monitors to monitor 24 hours a day.”

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/save-our-children-protest-in-harrisburg-calls-for-action-against-child-predators.html

Maxson said people who are charged with drug possession or drug dealing often serve longer sentences than sex offenders. He said the state should require sex offenders to wear ankle monitoring devices and be placed in affordable housing away from children and families.

Annie Kenny isn't okay, and she wants to destroy the lives of Maryland's registered persons

This crackpot is trying to ensure the lives of registered persons are disrupted as much as possible. Any idiot who uses the term "convicted pedophile" is completely uneducated on this subject. Not only is she spouting outlated statistics, her shirt just proves she has a severely slanted opinion on this subject. Why the media contunies to promote this loon is beyond me. 

But if you want to educate this idiot, her email is keepthebabiessafe@gmail.com

https://wjla.com/features/7-on-your-side/maryland-mom-discovers-vital-info-vanishes-from-sex-offender-registry

Over the past several weeks if you looked at the Maryland Sex Offender Registry you might have missed something.

It’s here where anyone can find the details of men and women who have preyed on children. Several weeks ago, Annie Kenny, a mom raising her kids in Maryland, noticed something very odd when she landed on this website.

“Recently when I checked the website what I found was that although there was a space for scars and tattoos the information was listed as unavailable and there was no spot at all any more for work addresses or vehicle information,” says Annie Kenny.

Vital information that helps people identify sex offenders missing for weeks. Kenny did some research and discovered Maryland was in violation of state and federal guidelines.

“It’s really disturbing to think that an entire state's sex offender registry could be non-compliant with the U.S Department of Justice requirements. To me that’s pretty concerning,” says Kenny.

7 On Your Side did some digging and found out in April, Maryland joined 21 other states and switched its sex offender website to the Offender Watch. It allows law enforcement and public safety agencies to share and manage information in real-time.

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services admits it was this Maryland mom who discovered the issues.

It says: "The data was in fact present on the site however the vendor had a security rights issue and some information wasn’t visible to the public."

Here is the email from the Maryland Department of Public Safety :

In April, the State of Maryland joined 21 states in switching to the OffenderWatch system for its Sex Offender Registry. OffenderWatch allows multiple law enforcement and public safety agencies to share and manage information in real-time, while dramatically reducing the number of hours spent on administrative tasks related to the Registry.

The Department received a single constituent concern about a portion of a registrant’s data not being visible on the public site. The Department investigated and found that the problem was a data display issue. The data was in fact present on the site; however, because the vendor had a security rights issue, some data in the system was not visible to the public. At no time was any information lost.

The vendor corrected the issue several weeks ago. The Department's IT professionals have reviewed the system and found no further issues.

The Department believes the problem was an anomaly, and the Department has not received any other constituent concerns since that first call.

The Department considers OffenderWatch to be a vastly superior tool for the public to use when inquiring about registered sex offenders, a significant upgrade to the previous platform used to manage the Registry.

“I got to be honest with all of this it feels like nobody is paying attention,” says Kenny.

All the info that wasn’t visible you can now see on the site. It’s been fixed thanks to one very determined mom, Annie Kenny.

https://wjla.com/features/7-on-your-side/maryland-mom-wants-more-restrictions-on-lifetime-sex-offenders

Maryland mom calls for more restrictions on lifetime sex offenders

by Scott Taylor, ABC7 Tuesday, February 11th 2020

WASHINGTON (ABC7) — “HI, my name is Ann Kenny, I am a single mother of three daughters from St. Mary’s County,” says Annie Kenny in front of the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

She is asking Maryland lawmakers to overhaul state guidelines on sex offenders by requiring lifetime supervision in Senate Bill 320.

Right now in Maryland, the majority of registered sex offenders are only supervised for a maximum of five years during probation even though many are on the State’s Sex Offender Registry for 15 to 25 years or life.

Kenny wants enforceable supervision or restrictions for lifetime offenders.

"I know sexual abuse, especially in children, is a topic people don't want to talk about. It is heartbreaking and painful,” says Annie Kenny on her change.org petition. aa

Last spring, Kenny, created a change.org campaign after learning it isn’t a crime for a convicted child sex offender to sleep in the same bed with a minor and some offenders can legally contact kids through electronic devices with no parental supervision.

Kenny thought she had the answer last year in a bill that had more restrictions but that bill never reached the floor for a vote. 

https://www.change.org/p/governor-hogan-better-sex-offender-laws-to-protect-our-children-32540612-ac2b-4c2a-9771-2c0287b39ebf

Did you know that currently in the State of Maryland, it is not against the law for a Tier III Registered Sex Offender to be alone with a minor?  It is considered child neglect or endangerment to leave a young child home alone or in a car, but you can tuck a child into bed next to a convicted pedophile and walk away for the night having committed no crime. 

Cassandra Ruwaldt pushes to have wooden train display destroyed because it was built by someone convicted of sex offense

Cancel Culture Strikes Again! Alleged abuse victim Karen... er, Cassandra Ruwaldt, claimed this train was built by her grandfather, who she claims abused her. She discovered this train was bought and repurposed for a town display, so instead oof simply not going by the wooden train, she went looking for it, even having her picture taken with it TWICE. Oh, but she can't stand the sight of it because it "triggers" her so she made a Facebook group and a petition page to have it destroyed. So now the city bent the knee to this Karen, she gets her 15 minutes, and everybody "wins."

https://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/crimeandjustice/after-a-day-of-outcry-metolius-officials-destroy-controversial-wooden-train/article_2d0c0e4e-c888-11ea-abc3-7f83ab15863d.html

After a day of outcry, Metolius officials destroy controversial wooden train
Mayor Carl Elliott doesn't explain decision
By GARRETT ANDREWS The Bulletin Jul 17, 2020 Updated Jul 17, 2020

METOLIUS — Thursday night, following a day of public outcry, a worker for the city of Metolius used a backhoe to smash up a controversial wooden train and then hauled it to a landfill.

“It’s resolved. It’s over,” Metolius Code Enforcement manager James Stratton said Friday, declining to provide specifics about the train, which was built by a convicted child sex offender.

In 2019, city leaders bought the train for $500 off Craigslist and invested $2,500 refurbishing it. Then Madras woman Cassie Ruwaldt told them it had been the backdrop of years of sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather, Richard Eugene Pickett, who’s serving a 36-year prison sentence for child rape and child pornography.

Ruwaldt was not able to reach an agreement with the City Council, which would have sold her the train for $3,000.

The six-member council unanimously approved displaying the train outside City Hall at a July 6 meeting.

Councilors said they were prepared to deal with any negative attention the train might receive. But after a Bulletin story Thursday, the fallout for leaders in Metolius was swift and severe, with calls and emails flooding City Hall. The city shut down its Facebook page after being inundated with negative reviews.

Councilors reported receiving death threats and threats to burn down City Hall in addition to the train, according to Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins.

Reached at his business, Double E RV Repair, Metolius Mayor Carl Elliott, who supported displaying the train, had little to say.

“It’s resolved. It’s destroyed. I don’t have to make no comments to you,” he said.

Around Metolius on Friday, some residents favored not displaying the train.

“There’s a stigma to the wooden train,” said Fred Garrett. “If you are the victim and you have to drive by and see the train, you know what the individual that built it did. That’s always going to be there in your constant memory.”

Thursday was a big day for Ruwaldt, 29. By the end of it, she had a movement of supporters behind her organized on a Facebook page, “STOP THE TRAIN.” Petitions calling for the train’s removal had thousands of signatures and a GoFundMe page had raised hundreds of dollars to purchase the train.

Ruwaldt had hoped to burn the train publicly in honor of victims of abuse.

“The community and other victims wanted to be part of that destruction, so I’m not sure what this was,” she told The Bulletin.

“This was supposed to be for victims to stand up and gather together.”

Brittney Oliver admits to violating Utah laws against harassment in media interview

It is against the law to use the registry to harass registrants. It is posted on the Utah Registry website's terms and conditions. So "Brittney" (Likely real name, Brittney Passey/ Brittney Oliver) is using social media to engage in a harassment campaign, not unlike the vigilante group ultimately responsible for the murder of a registered person in Omaha.

https://www.ksl.com/article/46767720/daughter-warns-public-before-convicted-sex-offender-moves-to-magna

Daughter warns public before convicted sex offender moves to Magna
By Morgan Wolfe, KSL TV | Posted - Jun. 21, 2020 at 8:21 p.m.

6PM: Daughter warns public before convicted sex offender moves to MagnaMorgan Wolfe, KSL TV
MAGNA — A Utah woman is warning the Magna community about her father, a registered child sex offender, before he moves to a neighborhood on the west side of Salt Lake County.

Bret Riley is a convicted child sex offender that lives within a mile from a school, and less than three-fourths of a mile from the Magna Community Center.

His daughter Brittney, who requested that KSL not use her last name, is now pushing for change on where sex offenders can live.

“These perpetrators need to be held responsible, not only from the judicial systems, but by our communities,” Brittney said.

Brittney said Riley was convicted of sexually assaulting her daughter in 2016. She found out last Friday that he was going to be released early under supervision this past Tuesday.

“Nobody contacted us, asked us if we lived around that area,” she said.

Brittney said she learned he was living within walking distance from a park, school and church — all things that he’s legally not allowed to be at as a registered child sex offender.

So she posted a warning to the community in a Facebook group.

“It shouldn’t be the responsibility of the victims to follow them,” she said. “I don’t want anyone to have to go through what we went through.”

After calling the state, KSL’s Morgan Wolfe was told by a department of corrections spokesperson that sex offenders don’t have any living restrictions in Utah — meaning it is okay for Riley to live less than a mile from the park, school and church.

“I imagine there are a lot more sex offenders living around here than we know about,” one neighbor said.

Ninety-one to be exact in Magna according to the Utah sex offender registry that we searched. It still stated Riley was incarcerated.

Brittney was doing what she could to inform the public and recommended everyone check the sex offender registry.

But she still wanted the state to make some changes.

“I really feel like we need a better system,” she said.

Theresa Heller's campaign of harassment is allowed to continue, no thanks to the Michigan Court of Appeals

This lady was mad because she found out a funeral home owner was on the registry (despite not being involved with her child's funeral at all), then started a campaign of slander and harassment. She refers to registered persons as "convicted pedophiles" and blatantly abuses the registry.

Here is the actual decision:

http://publicdocs.courts.mi.gov/OPINIONS/FINAL/COA/20200528_C347505_38_347505.OPN.PDF

Why this piece of shit is not in prison for harassment is beyond me. But this is not a total victory. Only part of the case was overturned.

https://reason.com/2020/06/01/libel-lawsuit-leads-court-to-ban-even-true-statements-about-plaintiffs-sex-offender-status/

Libel Lawsuit Leads Court to Ban Even True Statements About Plaintiff's "Sex Offender Status"
Fortunately, the Michigan Court of Appeals has just reversed that injunction.
EUGENE VOLOKH |THE VOLOKH CONSPIRACY | 6.1.2020 8:02 AM

From Thursday's Redmond v. Heller (Mich. Ct. App.) (by Chief Judge Christopher M. Murray, joined by Judges Patrick M. Metter and Kirsten F. Kelly):

The origins of this case arose from the death of Theresa [Heller's] and Dennis [Wolf's] twelve-year-old son, Charles Wolf, in July 2015. The medical examiner's office released Charles's body to [Arthur] McNabb of Redmond Funeral Home on July 28, 2015…. [McNabb was one of the people who prepared the body for the funeral.] …

After Theresa discovered what she considered to be the "outright lies" involved with the investigation into her son's death, she decided to investigate every name associated with the handling of her son's body. She obtained documents from the coroner's office and discovered that McNabb signed for her son's remains, and subsequently discovered that McNabb was a convicted sex offender. Theresa called [Martha] Redmond in the fall of 2015, to warn her about McNabb, and according to Theresa, Redmond lied, and said that she did not know that McNabb was a sex offender.

Police reports associated with McNabb's conviction show that McNabb met a 15-year-old high school student at a computer game store. [The general age of consent for sex in Michigan is 16.-EV] McNabb admitted that he purchased items for the teen, and the teen told an investigating officer that McNabb performed oral sex on him. The reports also suggest that McNabb engaged in grooming behavior, as a witness described McNabb as repeatedly hanging out at an Arby's restaurant, and interacting with a teen. McNabb was convicted of two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct [apparently in 2006], and was sentenced to prison.

After his conviction, the Board of Examiners in Mortuary Science Report revoked McNabb's license in November 2007, but the Board reinstated his license in October 2015. At a meeting held in November 2015, Redmond Funeral Home's board of directors appointed McNabb as the funeral director for one of its branch locations….

Theresa and various of her family members started posting various things online about McNabb—but not just about his 2006 conviction:

Theresa's social media posts were not confined to relating details from past events; she explicitly and implicitly asserted that she had actual knowledge that McNabb had continued to violate the law consistent with her belief that sex offenders always reoffend, and that Redmond was facilitating his activities. Instead, each of the statements at issue relate to present time, and were assertions of supposed fact about plaintiffs' current activities.

Redmond, McNabb, and the Redmond Funeral Home sued for libel; the trial court granted summary judgment in their favor, and also issued an injunction (after which the plaintiffs voluntarily dropped their damages claim):

[1.] Defendant Theresa Heller … [is] restrained from speaking, delivering, publishing, emailing or disseminating information in any manner regarding Arthur McNabb's sex offender status, his address and employment status to anyone anywhere.

[2.] Defendant Theresa Heller … [is] enjoined and restrained from defaming, stalking, harassing the plaintiffs, in any manner whatsoever, including through postings on the internet, as well as though unconsented contact with any of the plaintiffs.


The court of appeals rejected (quite rightly, I think), this injunction. Narrow injunctions forbidding the repetition of "specific speech that has already been determined by a finder of fact to be defamatory," the court said, might be restrictable—there's a difference of opinion among courts on the subject, which the court didn't resolve. But this particular injunction "cover[ed] certain speech that would be protected by the First Amendment":

For example, Theresa could speak about whether certain criminal sexual conduct convicts should be working in funeral homes by using McNabb as an example, but relaying only the information contained in the public domain, yet be brought into court for potential contempt hearings. Additionally, Theresa could state other nondefamatory commentary about Redmond and McNabb, or engage in other undefined "harassing" behavior, and be subject to censure by the court. In other words, the injunction potentially covers much more than the specific four statements found to be defamatory, and therefore does not survive constitutional scrutiny under the general antiprior restraint law under the First Amendment, or under the narrow exception recognized by many courts.

The court of appeals concluded, though, that some of the statements were false and defamatory factual assertions, which presumably means that the trial court could possibly issue "a more narrowly tailored injunction" against repeating them (again, the Court of Appeals didn't resolve whether such narrow injunctions would be constitutional):

In their motion for partial summary disposition, … plaintiffs had the burden to show that there was no material factual dispute concerning the elements of their defamation claim, i.e., that Theresa (1) made a false and defamatory statement about plaintiffs, (2) that she was not privileged to make and communicated it to a third party, (3) that she published the communication with fault amounting to, at the least, negligence, and (4) that the statement was actionable without regard to special harm (defamation per se), or that plaintiffs suffered special harm….

[P]laintiffs identified several statements by Theresa that they claimed were false and defamatory. Specifically, in the trial court's decision it cited to plaintiffs' evidence that (1) on April 22, 2017, Theresa stated that she wanted "to spread the word about what happened to Charlie after he left us two summers ago," (2) on July 24, 2017, Theresa posted on Facebook that her son's "cousins and all his friends were exposed to this pervert at Charlie's funeral," and that "he didn't sodomize his customers' children? Some of your kids were at Charlie's funeral. How does that make you feel?", (3) on that same date she stated that McNabb "hunts at fast food places, video and gaming stores, and funeral homes", and (4) on August 13, 2017, Wolf published on the Internet that McNabb "targets young teenage boys who like video games and nice shirts." Plaintiffs also set forth specific allegations and evidence about the frequency of these and other statements, Theresa continually contacting the funeral home and police agencies, and other allegedly harassing behavior….

Upon review of the evidence submitted to the trial court, we conclude that as to the four statements listed above, no reasonable juror could conclude other than that the statements Theresa and Wolf posted to social media were defamatory…. [Theresa] did not couch these accusations as opinions and, even if she had, they clearly implied an assertion of fact that could be proven false. A reasonable fact-finder reading these statements could only conclude that Theresa was asserting that she had knowledge that McNabb was actively and presently hunting for teenaged boys in order to commit criminal sexual conduct, and that he was doing so at Redmond's funeral home with Redmond's knowledge and support….

On appeal, Theresa argues that her statements that McNabb is a pedophile are true because he has a 2006 conviction of criminal sexual conduct involving a 15-year-old boy. She also asserts … that everything she stated came from police reports or the website maintained under the [Sexual Offender Registration Act], and is therefore true. However, all of the documents she cites describe acts that occurred more than 10 years earlier—none of the reports or documents she cites involve present activity. For that reason, evidence as to what is contained on the registry or in police reports is not evidence creating a material issue of fact that her statements were true.

{In MCL 28.721a, the Legislature stated its determination that "a person who has been convicted of committing an offense covered by this act poses a potential serious menace and danger to the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the people, and particularly the children, of this state." This legislative policy does not provide private citizens with the unfettered right to assume that all convicted sex offenders were in fact reoffending and, on the basis of that assumption, publicize false accusations of criminal conduct. The same is true of the court decisions that Theresa cites, as they do not stand for the proposition that private persons may make false and defamatory statements about a sex offender's current conduct on the basis of the sex offender's past conduct.} …

[But e]xcept for the statements noted above, the remainder of Theresa's statements were strongly worded, and suggested that McNabb posed an imminent danger to children. The nature of the remarks might justify a reasonable fact-finder in finding that Theresa's remarks were defamatory, or that Theresa was merely expressing her strong belief that a convicted sex offender should not be employed at a funeral home. In other words, a reasonable fact-finder could find that these remaining statements, which were undoubtedly offensive to ordinary sensibilities, were nevertheless hyperbolic, or amounted to exaggerated commentary. Consequently, on those statements, there was a question of material fact as to whether the statements were defamatory, which precluded the trial court from granting plaintiffs' motion for summary disposition in its entirety….

Thanks to Prof. Eric Goldman for the pointer.

West Virginian Scotti Wilkinson attacks registered person he claims was talking to his kids, wants money for "Disney World"

I am not going to post a direct link to this, but for the sake of proof, you can cut and paste the link below if you want to see the attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEZSHIPy_Ww

At any rate, Scotti Wilkinson of Parkersburg WV is now trying to make money off this venture. So far, it does not look like this piece of shit has been brought to justice for this violent crime.

This is why registered citizens should take measures to protect themselves. Any scumbag can attack a registrant under the guise of 'protecting children" and no one will bat an eyelash or question these lowlifes.

Here's yet another victim advocate trying to get judge removed over what she claims is a lenient sentence

Utah already has the not-so-Smart family and now this crazy lady comes out of the woodwork.

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/victim-advocate-starts-petition-after-sex-offender-gets-210-day-sentence-for-child-porn-possession

Victim advocate starts petition after sex offender gets 210 day sentence for child porn possession
By: John Franchi
Posted at 9:59 PM, May 17, 2020 and last updated 10:59 PM, May 17, 2020

An advocate for victims of sex crimes believes the justice system was too lenient on an admitted sex offender.

*** of Sandy pleaded guilty to three felony charges of sexual exploitation of a minor after investigators said they discovered more than 13,000 images of child pornography on his electronic devices.

*** faced one to 15 years in prison for each of the charges.

Instead, *** received a punishment of 210 days in jail. After receiving credit for time already served, he will spend about two more months behind bars.

“I was horrified when I heard about this case,” said Cathy Hoffman, a survivor of sex trafficking who now is working to give a voice to victims of sex abuse. “It’s horror. You’re horrified something like this can exist.”

Due to the graphic nature and volume of illegal files found in *** possession, Hoffman believes the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.

“It’s a green light to do whatever you want,” Hoffman said. “For every victim that has gone through something like that, it’s a slap in the face. It’s a slap in the face.”

Hoffman organized an online petition calling for Judge Douglas Hogan, the judge who handed down the sentence, to be held accountable. As of Sunday evening, the petition had the backing of more than 13,000 people.

“I have a great respect for the justice system when it does what it is supposed to do,” Hoffman said. “Children are the future and when you don’t give them a voice or justice, you’re taking that future away from them.”

The Utah Attorney General’s office investigated and prosecuted the case. In a statement, they said: “The prosecutor asked for prison. The judge, following the sentencing matrix, rejected the State’s recommendation.”

The statement added, “This is not unusual for cases like this. For a second degree felony unless there was physical violence or a live victim instead of images of child pornography with unknown children, this was a standard sentence.”

That shows Cathy, this issue is deeper than this one case and one judge. She wants to inspire system-wide changes in how these sex offenders are punished.

“Nothing is going to change unless someone speak ups,” Hoffman said. “I want to take it to the state legislature, saying, 'Look, there are 12,000 people standing behind me. This is a problem, you need to fix this.'”

Utah does not have an avenue for a recall election for a judge.

Judge Hogan received a 97% positive recommendation score in his most recent retention evaluation published by the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission.

Jamie Shannon of Richland Center WI starts online petition to keep a registrant from moving in next door to her

This is Jamie Shannon (misspelled by WKOW). She started a Change.org petition to drive a registrant out of her community. Someone should drive this fat cow to Jenny Craig.

UPDATE: Unsurprisingly, she succeeded in forcing this man out of her neighborhood.

https://wkow.com/2020/01/13/richland-center-woman-starts-petition-to-prevent-sex-offender-from-moving-in-next-door/

Richland Center woman starts petition to prevent sex offender from moving in next door

January 13, 2020
10:58 pm
Michelle Alfini

RICHLAND CENTER (WKOW) -- A Richland County mother was in for a shock when she learned a registered sex offender with a history of violent convictions would be moving in next door in a matter of days. In response, she called the Department of Corrections, garnered community opposition, and now she said she's prepared to fight for her home.

When she moved just outside of town, Jamie Shannon hoped she would find a safe home for her three children.

"That's one of the reasons we moved to the country, security and no neighbors," she said.

Then Shannon learned the long-vacant house next door would see a new tenant.

"I was notified on Tuesday of last week by the Sheriff's Department that there was a violent registered sex offender moving in less than 100 ft. from my house," she said.

Richard Sugden, 64, has spent decades in prison for convictions related to rape and child abduction.

The Department of Corrections (D.O.C.) released him in June of 2019 to Ashland County. Now it is working to move him to Richland County, the place where he committed his offenses.

"I don't understand how a repeat sexual predator gets out and gets placed next to literally the type of people he preyed on," Shannon said.

Once Sugden is placed, he will be under Department of Health Services (DHS) supervision. The agency could not comment on his specific case but Elizabeth Goodsitt, a DHS spokeswoman, explained the state program in an email.

"The first year of supervised release is akin to house arrest and the client receives more privileges only if they demonstrate the willingness to follow supervised release rules," she said.

Goodsitt said not all sex offenders face that level of supervision once they're released.

"There are tens of thousands of convicted sex offenders living across the state," she said. "As of December 10, 2019, there are 64 people living on supervised release."

For Shannon, it's not enough.

"That doesn't make me feel safe," she said. "Being six miles from town, what's the police department's response time going to be."

In response, Shannon started a petition asking the D.O.C. to consider another home for Sugden.

"I only have 200 Facebook friends and I only expected it to go that far," she said.

Instead, in less than a week, it garnered more than 3,700 signatures. She believes that's made an impact.

The D.O.C. has delayed Sugden's placement and scheduled a conference for Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at the Richland County Courthouse to discuss the opposition.

"[I'm just hoping to see] the community coming together and saying this isn't right," Shannon said.

She hopes many of those who signed the petition will join her on Tuesday, rallying for Sugden to find freedom somewhere else.

Otherwise, Shannon said her family will likely feel like prisoners upon his release.

"As a mom, I cannot put my kids in that position," she said. "It's really sad that we'd be forced out of our home."

the fliers are not supposed to be used to harass registrants. 

Aaron Savage lives up to his last name by threatening village councilman over registrant at Xmas Parade

I experienced a fire last year, so obviously I hold firefighters in high regard. But not all firefighters are heroes. This guy is anything but.

https://www.lenconnect.com/news/20200106/clayton-village-council-meeting-attendees-support-santa

Clayton Village Council meeting attendees support Santa

Man in final year on sex offender registry portrayed Santa Claus in village Christmas celebration

By Dmitriy Shapiro
Daily Telegram Staff Writer

Posted Jan 6, 2020 at 11:26 PM
Updated Jan 6, 2020 at 11:26 PM
 
CLAYTON — In a well attended Clayton Village Council meeting Monday, Clayton residents and council members expressed support for village streets commissioner John Ernest Lee, who became embroiled in controversy for appearing as Santa Claus in the village’s Christmas parade, despite being a registered sex offender.

Lee was convicted of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct in 1995, at age 23, requiring him to register as a Tier 2 sex offender for 25 years.

According to records from Lee’s appeal, which was denied by the Michigan Court of Appeals, the complainant accused Lee of grabbing her from behind, touching her breasts over her clothing and lowering his hands to unbutton her pants until she broke free.

Near the close of the meeting, village President Mark Jeffrey read a statement, backing the board’s decision to have Lee, 47, dress as Santa while riding on a village fire truck driven by Clayton Assistant Fire Chief Joe Garrow, then receiving children at the fire department’s building, giving them presents.

“When you hear this story on the news or read it online, it sounds bad. If you’re not from the village or you don’t know the people that sit on this board, it sounds horrible. But if you live here and you know the board, you see the good that they do and the good that John does, it doesn’t seem that bad,” Jeffrey said. ”... Most of us that live here know the story and many of us were here when it happened. They put him on the list and he was to stay on that list for 25 years. This November he gets off the list. Over the last 24 years the council’s felt that he has earned our trust. ... John is not a sexual predator. He’s a public servant, a father and a friend.”

Jeffrey’s statement received applause from the majority of the audience.

Prior to his statement, Jeffrey nominated Lee to serve as street commissioner for 2020, which was unanimously approved by a board vote.

Aaron Savage, a firefighter who brought the issue to light, spoke at a public comment session following Jeffrey’s statement, accusing the board of not doing its due diligence when deciding to appoint Lee as Santa Claus.

“This isn’t about John. It has been spun about John. This is directly to you the council. This is a gross misconduct to allow anybody ... on an offender list, to be ... dressed as a Santa, and ... placed into a fire department,” Savage said. “You say that it sounds bad, because if you go anywhere else, it is bad. Nobody in the general public outside of this area would agree with this.”

Savage’s statement was met with disbelief from audience and board members.

Board member Stephen DeLine II, a fire board liaison, responded to Savage’s claims by accusing Savage and another firefighter of dragging Lee’s name through the mud by bringing publicity to the situation. DeLine claimed that Savage had been at the fire board meeting when it discussed appointing Lee, but did not raise the issue at the meeting.

Savage denied that the issue was brought up at a fire board meeting.

DeLine’s earlier reading of minutes from the Dec. 19 fire board meeting did not include mention of the department’s Christmas festivities.

Board member Cathy Brown asked Savage why he did not say anything during the previous year when she recalled telling him who was in the Santa Claus suit.

Savage also denied speaking to Brown the previous year, instead he argued he spoke with a different board member.

DeLine continued, accusing Savage of threatening to kill him when he went to the fire station Friday.

“You flew off the handle and had to be held back by three other people. Threatened myself, threatened to kill me multiple times,” DeLine said. “And you threatened to kill every single one of these council members sitting at this table that made the decision to put John Lee on the fire truck as Santa Claus.”

Clayton Fire Chief Steve Nichelson, who attended the meeting, nodded his head in agreement to DeLine’s accusations.

Savage denied that he made any threats, saying that he had evidence to prove it but would not go into detail into the nature of the evidence, saying that he may need it in the future.

At the request of the council, the meeting was attended by two deputies from the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office to ensure tensions didn’t escalate.

Lee said after the meeting adjourned that he was thankful for the support he was receiving from the meeting attendees and that he had put the conviction long behind him.

“You would probably have a hard time getting any one of these people in here to agree or disagree that I was wrongly done and accused to start with in this manner,” Lee said. “As you’ve heard numerous times throughout this, this is a 24-year-old deal. How long do you be crucified for something?”

Lee, who also served as a firefighter from the early 1990s to early 2000s, said that after serving his probation, his restrictions included that he could not loiter or live within 1,000 feet of a school.

Clayton resident Chris Timmerman said he believed Lee was a good man.

“They’re rochambeauing him ... ,” Timmerman said. “It’s driving us all apart from each other. We should be a community.”