Category: Sex Crimes

Number of Sex Offenders Growing and Law Enforcement Can’t Keep Up

A CBS News report recently talked about the dilemma facing law enforcement agencies in regard to the ever increasing number of sex offenders. That is, with the number of registered sex offenders now teetering around 716,000, representative of a 78% increase since 2001 according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, it is becoming more and more difficult for law enforcement to keep a watchful eye over parolees that still may represent a high risk at repeat offending. The article mentions one such offender, released from prison on parole, who in a matter of months was once again apprehended and charged with child molestation.

With such an influx of individuals being released into the general public, law enforcement is allegedly ill-prepared to effectively monitor them all. This has led some to question whether or not offenders on parole are any different than individuals that simply haven’t been caught yet.

Covina Police Investigate Suspected Sexual Assault of Teenage Boy

Los Angeles local ABC affiliate KABC-TV, channel 7, reported that Covina police recently arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of child molestation. According to the report, the man has been accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy that he met on the popular social networking site, MySpace. Supposedly, the man and teenager arranged a real life meeting with each other, and the incident of sexual assault took place at that meeting. While police continue to investigate this case, they are still looking for other possible victims that the man may have had similar interactions with.

In many sex crimes, physical evidence of wrongdoing may not necessarily be available, particularly if parties involved consented to the behavior and action in question. The news report did not mention whether or not investigators had any sort of evidence against the 47-year-old man, other than the testimony of the 14-year-old boy. Though a thorough investigation will undoubtedly reveal more details of the case, the man is innocent until proven guilty.

The social stigma associated with sex crimes can sometimes be more damaging in the long run than even the punishments handed down by a court of law. Not only will a convicted sex offender have to serve jail time, but he or she may also need to register as sex offender. Such registry can make it particularly difficult for an individual to find a place to live and secure gainful employment.

Polanski May Have to Finish What the D.A. Started

According to the Los Angeles Times, film director Roman Polanski will be extradited to the United States so that he may face child-sex charges dating back to 1978. Polanksi is currently being held by Swiss officials, and is fighting the extradition. Based on correspondence sent between the two countries, extradition seems likely at this point. Reportedly, U.S. officials were tipped off by the Swiss federal office of justice that Polanski would be entering Switzerland to attend the Zurich film festival. He was then arrested as he stepped off an airplane at a Swiss airport.

In 1978, Polanski was accused of committing sexual acts with a then 13-year-old girl. Though the now grown-up 13-year-old does not wish to pursue criminal charges against Polanski, and would simply prefer it if the matter were put behind her entirely, U.S. officials have been trying to somehow get Polanski back in the country for years.

Sex charges of all kinds are a serious matter. Often times, sex offenses can be characterized by he-said, she-said accusations. Polanski’s defense attorney argues even now that improper conversations took place between the presiding judge and prosecution. In any event, it is important that all cases pertaining to sex crimes are properly handled, and that those who stand accused are given every opportunity to properly defend themselves in a court of law.

DNA Used to ID 3 Car Burglary Suspects

Los Angeles authorities have used DNA samples to identify three auto burglary suspects, according to an article. Police have taken one man into custody for the burglary in Los Angeles and are searching for the other two.

Blood left on a door handle identified one of the individuals to his car theft. His DNA was a match for a car burglar who smashed the window of a sports car parked near 4th and Hill streets in 2007 and removed cash. In another case, blood found on a paper bag left by a car burglar in 2008 was collected and placed in the laboratory queue for analysis.

The blood was analyzed a year later and the results were added to a state database. The final suspect was identified from a burglary in which a window was smashed and a stereo and CDs were stolen from a car parked on Jesse Street west of Santa Fe Avenue.

DNA evidence has been used much more in recent years, but usually in cases that involve more serious charges like murders and sexual assaults. The article indicates that this may be changing, however, after a study completed last year involving the LAPD showed that when investigators recovered usable DNA samples from property crime scenes, a suspect could be identified in 45% of the cases.

CHP Applicant Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

A 29 year old El Monte man, who disclosed on his application to the highway patrol that he had viewed pornography on his computer, was arrested and charged with suspicion of committing lewd acts with a minor, according to a published LA Times report.

The disclosure on his application spurred an investigation by CHP officials, working in conjunction with the FBI on a multiagency task force. Hernandez also admitted having viewed illicit photos of a minor within a month of filling out the application, a disclosure that probably had more to do with the full blow investigation then his admission of viewing pornography on the Internet.

After performing a search of his home, CHP officials were able to find child pornography on a computer he was using, including sexually explicit photos of a 5-year-old girl. The photos appeared to have been taken in the bedroom of the home where the man now lives.

CHP Applicant Arrested For Child Porn

The latimes.com website reported in a story on June 13, 2009 that Christian Hernandez, 29, from El Monte, had been arrested for possessing child pornography. Laura Eimiller, FBI spokeswoman stated Hernandez divulged on his application to the CHP that he had viewed illegal porn on the internet, which led to a multiagency investigation. He acknowledged he had viewed child porn of a minor within a month of filling out his application.

Investigators with the CHP carried out a consent search of Hernandez’s home and found child pornography on a computer he was using which included sexually explicit photos of a 5 year old girl. The pictures looked like they were taken in the bedroom of the home where Hernandez now lives.

He was charged in federal court with possessing and manufacturing child pornography. He is being detained without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.

Santa Ana Statutory Rape: Teacher Sentenced to 4 Years

The website hbindependent.com reported in a story on April 9, that a former Talbert teacher Daniel Axtell, 38, of Santa Ana pled guilty in December 2008 to six counts of lewd acts in California, one count of sexual penetration by a foreign object and one count of first-degree burglary. The acts took place in 2005 but the girl did not report Axtell until 2007.

Authorities reported that Axtell had made friends with the student who then talked about her family and personal problems with him. Axtell gained the girl’s family trust by mentoring her and attending family events. The girl stated during sentencing that Axtell had violated her trust, embarrassed her, and forced her to change schools because her classmates all new about the relationship.

Stepfather and mother of the girl also stated in court that the girl’s life had been changed because of Axtell, saying that her “high school experience was ruined because she was humiliated, lost friends, never attended dances or the prom, and would never look at relationships the same way.”

There are many types of sexual assault or sexual abuse, including any type of unwanted physical contact with any sexual organ. Most sexual abuse and/or sexual assault crimes are felonies in California.

The aggressive and skilled California sex crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have a long history of successfully handling the defense of clients charged with all types of sex crimes in California. If you have been charged with a sex crime in Los Angeles, you are facing serious consequences which may carry life long penalties and may ruin your reputation within your community and your chances to pursue personal and professional endeavors. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

California Pornography Producer Pleads Guilty of Sex Crime

According to an article article on March 11, 2009 that Robert Zicari, 35 and wife Janet Romano, 32 pled guilty to distributing videos showing deviant sexual conduct in a federal court in Pittsburgh. The couple had been in a court battle for more than six years. They were fighting whether the First Amendment protected such videos that show lewd acts.

Some scenes in question are those depicting simulated rape. Zicari and Romano still will contest the government’s claim that for sentencing purposes the videos should be considered sadistic or masochistic. Whether you have been charged with a sex crime in Los Angeles or in Pittsburgh, you are facing serious consequences.

Supporters of the couple blame U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan of trying the case in western Pennsylvania due to the region’s “community standards” that establish what is obscene according to the US Supreme Court. Without saying, the region is more conservative than those in California.

Orange County Lewd Acts with a Minor Charges Levied against Music Teacher

Orange County Music Teacher Accused of Lewd Acts with Student

Carlie Rose Attebury, 29, a Orange County high school music teacher has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual conduct with a male student. According to an article in The Orange County Register, police arrested Attebury on October 13, 2008 and charged her withlewd acts with a minor in Orange County. The teacher has reportedly been placed on administrative leave pending the police investigation.

Sex crime charges can have serious repercussions in the life of an individual especially when he or she is a person of authority in the community such as a teacher, priest or a respected community leader. This could be an extremely serious case because the teacher in question could very likely lose her job. Her career is in jeopardy because if convicted of this crime, she will be required to register as a sex offender, which means, she can never be around children or teach in a school again. Those who are convicted of sex crimes in California face lengthy prison terms and hefty fines and penalties.

If you have been charged with a sex crime, it is extremely important to contact a knowledgeable and experienced Orange County sex crime defense attorney right away. Lewd acts, lascivious conduct and indecent exposure are usually charged as misdemeanors in the State of California. They are still serious charges and can produce life-altering consequences.

If you have been accused of a California sex crime, please call the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. We will advice you on the best course of action in your case and fight for your rights and freedom. Call us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Torrance Sex Crime Charges Decend on High School Coach

Torrance High School Coach Pleads Guilty to Molesting Students

Barry Sacks, a former Peninsula High School coach in Torrance, pleaded guilty on October 27, 2008 to two counts of child molestation in Torrance. According to an article in the Daily Breeze, the 49-year-old Sacks was sentenced to 60 days in jail. He must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, serve 30 says of community service on a Caltrans work crew and remain on probation for five years. In addition, he must also undergo 52 weeks of sex offender counseling. This plea bargain got seven other counts dismissed against the high school coach.

Sacks was reportedly arrested in July and later charged in Torrance Superior Court with nine misdemeanor counts of child molestation. Prosecutors characterized the coach’s actions as “opportunistic,” the Daily Breeze article reports. For example, he would touch teens’ breasts or buttocks over their clothing under the guise of directing them in their athletics, the report states. Sacks has been ordered by the court to stay away from the nine victims and is also not allowed to be alone with minors.