Florida Child Injury Lawyer Blog

Howard Scott Kalin of Baltimore County, Maryland was arrested on charges of seeking sex from a minor. Kalin, an attorney and balloon magician was arrested outside of Orlando in Lake County Florida for attempting to solicit sex from a 14 year old child via the internet. According the the Lake County Sheriff's cybercrime division, the 47 year old man was attempting to make contact with a 14 year old male, but instead was in contact with a member of the sheriffs department posing as a minor. Kalin signed a plea agreement and could face up to 10 years in prison.

Children who have access to computers should be educated by their parents regarding cyber-saftey. Parents should monitor and be aware of how and when their children use the internet. Cybercrimes against children are on the rise. For more information on Magician Agrees to Criminal Plea Agreement in Lake County, Florida.

Unfortunately and tragically, not all child molesters and abusers are caught in an attempt to solicit or have sex with a child. The Internet is just another venue that child molesters and abusers are using to attempt to lure children into danger and abuse.

Around the Florida and the nation, police and parents are seeing a growing trend for teenage girls to settle disputes with their fists. According to statistics, one out of every four episodes of teen violence is perpetrated by teenage girls, up from just a generation ago when it was one and 10. The Justice Department said that it is not just boys anymore but violence among girls is increasing.

In Winter Haven, Florida, two teenagers were accused of beating a girl in a fight and posting the fight online. The alleged perpetrators were Walter Bouiye, 18, of 1695 Marshall Road and his 16-year old sister. Bouiye was booked Wednesday into Polk County Jail and charged with child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His sister was charged with battery and taken to the juvenile detention center; the police withheld her name because she is a juvenile and charged with a misdemeanor-level crime. Of course, any person including a juvenile charged with a crime will be entitled to defend himself or herself against the charges through the legal representation of a Florida criminal defense lawyer or the services of the Public Defender's office.

The incident occurred on Monday about 4:30 p.m. on Marshall Road when the brother and sister approached the 14-year-old victim in the neighborhood. According to the police, Bouiye’s sister and the 14-year-old began to fight over a boy. Bouiye jumped in and punched the 14-year-old in the head, and then at one point kicked her on the right side of her face, police said. Someone broke up the fight and the crowd ran away as the police arrived. Officers were able to identify the brother and sister through witnesses at the scene, but the video of the fight online also helped.

Increasingly girl fights in Jacksonville and nationwide are being recorded and posted on the internet, which can make the problem even worse. Experts say this can also lead to cyber bullying. Jerry Newberry, executive director of the National Education Association Health Information Network, said, "The problem with anything on the Internet is that it's not a one-time incident. It doesn't happen in the hallway; it gets recorded over and over and over." Educators and police say that although images of teen fighting on the internet have become more common, effective solutions are hard to find. For more information on this topic, see teens arrested for beating Winter Haven girl in attack that was posted online.

Central Florida detention deputy Robin Leigh Pagoria, 45, was accused of disrobing and restraining two young girls while she spanked and videotaped them. According to the report, the girls were between the ages of 10 and 18. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that Pagoria posted the videos online for her boyfriend to download. On Thursday she was charged with child abuse and producing child pornography. Pagoria resigned on Thursday; she had been a deputy for six years. Pagoria will be entitled to legal representation from a Florida criminal defense attorney or the services of the public defender's office. It would appear from the news report that there is evidence against Ms. Pagoria but the court proceedings will determine the extent of admissible evidence and what elements of the alleged crimes can be proved and are proved.

Under federal law, child pornography is defined as any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture, or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where:

-the production of the visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or

-the visual depiction is a digital image, computer image, or computer-generated image that is, or is indistinguishable from, that of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or

-the visual depiction has been created, adapted, or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

It is a federal crime to knowingly possess, manufacture, distribute, or access with intent to view child pornography. In Florida, it is a third degree felony under Florida Statutes 847.0135, 847.0138 and 827.071. All other states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia also have laws that criminalize the possession, manufacture, and distribution of child pornography. As a result, a person who violates these laws may face federal and/or state charges.

For more information on this topic, see Florida Deputy Accused of Videotaping Girls While She Spanked Them.

In Florida and other States, law enforcement officers and detectives are working to try to make the Internet a safer place for children. Unfortunately, like any other arena, some child predators are using the Internet to find victims. In Lake County, Florida, investigators and detectives spent 4 months chatting online with Howard Scott Kalin, age 47, from Maryland according to a news story posted in the Orlando Sentinel. According to the report, Kalin was under the impression that he was chatting with a 14 year old boy and the boy's caregiver. The sheriff's report indicated that Kalin travelled to Florida and planned to play basketball with the 14 year old and then have sex with the 14 year old child. What a disturbing plan and situation. Fortunately, the 14 year old boy was really an undercover agent and no child was put in danger. Kalin practices law and runs a business. He is an educated man who even has a family. The police conducted a search of Kalin's car and found lubricant and condoms.

Mr. Kalin will be entitled to defend himself against these charges through the services of a Florida criminal defense attorney or the services of the public defender's office if he cannot afford an attorney. There may be some technical legal defenses to such charges but it would appear that that Kalin will have an uphill battle to defend himself against these charges. The evidence seems to be quite extensive assuming that the 4 months of Internet chat records are admitted into evidence along with the evidence seized at the scene like the basketball, lubricant, and condoms. See Magician-Lawyer Charged in Cyber Crime Involving Undercover Detective Posing at 14 Year Old Boy.

What does a chef, optician, U.S. serviceman, bank teller, janitor, and engineer have in common? Well, in Gainesville Florid and other counties, an arrest for using a computer to solicit sex with a child among other crimes is what these folks have in common. The Gainesville Police Department and the Alachua County Sheriff's Department were law enforcement agencies among others that participated in a five day sex sting. Undercover law enforcement officials posed as juveniles or parents online to have the suspect meet at an undercover house for sex with a child. The Internet sex sting seemed similar to those televised by NBC's series To Catch a Predator. It is interesting that people are informed in writing online about a child's age and still take the affirmative steps to go to a house that they have never been to before to have sex with a child they have never met before. This shows that many people are selfish and depraved who victimize children without any though whatsoever as to the effects on the child or the fact that the acts are immoral and illegal. Of course, not all persons caught in the net of a sting are successfully prosecuted. Some are able to present a Defense of sorts to get out of the charges, but most are probably successfully prosecuted and most defendants end up pleading guilty or no contest to the charges and then face the criminal sanctions and consequences of their bad acts and intentions. For more information, see Gainesville, Florida Chef Among 17 Arrested in Internet Child Sex Sting.

A Tamarac, Florida man is under investigation with the FBI for his alleged involvement in advertising the performance of sexual services by a teenager over the Internet. Leighton Martin Curtis, a 34-year-old air conditioning serviceman used his personal credit to promote the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl. Curtis is alleged to have prostituted two minor girls, referred to as "K.P" and "L." in court filing papers. Curtis used his mother's Tamarac address as his residence. He currently faces a federal trafficking charge for promoting the prostitution of a minor. If charged he could face anywhere from 10 years to life in prison and a possible fine of $250,000. Prosecutors are expected to provide text messages as evidence detailing the prostitution of the minor females. The text messages reveal one incident in which Curtis drove "K.P." to an appointment with a client, where she earned $300 that she subsequently handed over to Curtis. The relationship between Curtis and the two girls was recently discovered after the teens ran away from him at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Curtis chased them to Oakland Park. "K.P." escaped to a nearby hotel where guests eventually called police. For more read Tamarac man faces charges for prostitution minor females over the Internet.

A South Florida music teach has been arrested for allegedly sending one his students suggestively sexual text messages and pictures of his erect penis. Dennis A. Mulder, the band teacher at Allapattah Flats K-8 school in Port St. Lucie, Florida, was recently arrested and charged with two felony accounts of transmission of material harmful to minor by electronic equipment. Mulder, 42, is accused of sending 3 pictures of his erect penis to a 14-year-old female student. The text messages were discovered by the teenage's mother while she was searching through her daughter's phone. The photos were discovered under a file labeled "Dennis." Police reportedly traced the number that sent the text and picture messages to a phone number registered to Mulder. The texts allegedly began in early March 2011 and included the following: "Secret: It took all I could not to grab you & kiss you today" and "Desire for you is getting stronger." When questioned by police, the female student stated her and Mulder were "just good friends." Although she admitted to police that Mulder sent her the photos she had plans on telling him they couldn't be "anything but friends." Mulder told police that he only had a strict teacher-to-student relationship and exchanged only a few text messages with his female student. However, police confirmed they found around 100 texts between the two phones and when the compared the photos to Mulder's apartment, they spotted similar floor tile and carpet in the apartment to those in the photos. Mulder is expected to be reassigned away from students while the investigation is being conducted. Mulder has been with the school district for the past four years, however this was his first year as band teacher at Allapattah.

In Florida and other States, a person charged with a crime is entitled to defend himself from the charges through legal representation from a Florida Criminal Defense Attorney or through the services of a Florida Assistant Public Defender. In the age of smart phones, iPads, lap tops, and other electronic devices, determining the proof or origin of evidence can be helped with technology. There are also unique challenges in that other people some times gain access to a person's technology and use it in an inappropriate way or manner. Because of this, it is important to retain control and custody of your computer and mobile phone equipment. It is important to also keep user names and passwords private so that others do not venture into your technology world and harm your reputation or even worse - get you arrested.

The above criminal matter will be investigated and hopefully the truth and justice will prevail through the proceedings. For more information about this topic read South Florida Band Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Sending Sexually Charged Text Messages and Photos to 14-Year-Old Student.

Facebook can be a great tool and it can be great fun for teens and adults. Unfortunately, Facebook and other Social Media platforms can also be extremely dangerous in that child predators and others use Facebook to prey on children. There also have been many reports about bullying through Facebook and other acts that can and do harm children. It was recently reported that Disney took over the social network called Togetherville. This Social Media platform requires a parent to log on through a Facebook account and gives parents control over the child's use of Togetherville. You can find out more about Togetherville at the Official Website for Togetherville. See also Disney takes over social network Togetherville for elementary-school-age kid.

Miguel Ventura, a 32-year-old middle school teacher of Seminole County, Florida, resigned just as the school district moved to fire him. Ventura admitted to the exchange of 956 "inappropriate, sexually charged, sexually explicit" text messages with a former student. This is not Ventura's first incident regarding inappropriate behavior with his students; he has been reprimanded in both Seminole and Orange County schools for inappropriate behavior and communication with students.

After the school district was notified by a concerned parent, though not a parent of the girl Ventura was texting, about the text messages, the district conducted an investigation. The investigation led district to discover the exchange of 956 messages in 22 days. Ventura initiated the contact with student, who remains a student in Seminole County, and texted during school hours and at night.

The Seminole County's Sheriff's Office will also be conducting its own investigation and information about Ventura's actions will be sent to the Florida Department of Education. The FDE (The Florida Department of Education) could take action against Ventura's teaching certificate. Although there was an incident with Ventura fraternizing with students in Orange County back in 2003, Seminole officials were unaware of the incident by the time they hired him. However, under new Florida law disclosure is required for these types of reprimands. If you would like to read more on this incident please see Middle school teacher in Seminole County, Florida resigns after admitting to sending sexually charged text messages to a student.

Adults who take advantage of minors are depraved in every sense of the word. If you suspect someone is the victim of sexual abuse please contact local officials so an investigation and be initiated as soon as possible.

The Orange County School Board is considering implementing tougher policies regarding students "sexting". Under the new, stricter policy, students caught sexting (sending sexy photos or dirty text messages via cell phone) could be expelled. And, under Florida law those caught sending sexually explicit photos of underage students could be charged with transmitting child pornography. The changes could take place next month, after the School Board examines the proposed policies.

Under the new policy, students who send sexually explicit messages or photos from home or over the weekend could risk being expelled if the messages or photos cause a commotion at the school. Also, school officials are given broader authority to confiscate students' cell phones. The policy also tightens up on "cyber-bullying" - using electronic devices to pick on students or others. If you would like to read more on this topic please see The School Board of Orange County, Florida tightens up on sexting and cyber-bullying within its schools.

Hopefully more school districts across the State of Florida will follow Orange County's approach to sexting and cyber-bullying. Social networking websites and cell phones are so accessible to teenagers. Therefore, the rules and policies of every school district need to take into consideration the dangers that these sites and cell phones create.

United States District Judge Mary S. Scriven scolded Patrick Connolly as she handed down a 30-year prison sentence in an Orlando, Florida Federal Court. Connolly, a former military contractor, pleaded guilty in January to one count of sexual exploitation of children. 30-years was the maximum sentence that Scriven could impose on Connolly, however, Scriven said she would have sentenced him to life if she could.

Connolly was convicted of hacking into girls' computers and forced them into making child pornography of themselves. One girl told authorities she was told her sister would be hurt unless she provided pornographic photographs of herself. Several complaints, similar to this one, filed by Brevard County girls led to a criminal investigation about 5 years ago. Investigators eventually arrested Ivory Dickerson, a North Carolina civil engineer. after detectives found over 1 million pornographic images on his computer. As part of his plea agreement, Dickerson pointed investigators toward Connolly. Dickerson was sentenced to 110 years in prison in Orlando Federal Court in December 2007. The FBI eventually arrested Connolly at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Victims of Connolly's extortion live in multiple states: Florida, Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, and Louisiana. One mother of a victim testified at Connolly's sentencing hearing that Connolly "entered their home through the Internet and spread like a cancer." One of his victims, a college student at the time of the extortion, testified that she felt like a prisoner. She stated that Connolly threatened her to not to move her web camera and keep her from going to class. To read more about this topic see Former military contractor (Patrick Connolly) sentenced to 30 years for sexual exploitation of children.

The Internet has brought significant changes into our society, especially concerning one's privacy. Parents need to restrict their children's access on the Internet. You can consult with your internet service provider regarding the basic steps to take to heighten your security on the Internet.

Social Networking, the Internet, Smart Phones, the Blackberry, the iPhone, and the laptop are all great tools. Unfortunately, there are many people out there who are using these tools and the associated technology to prey on children. A story reported in the Huffington Post and other news outlets involved a 14 year old girl who was seduced by a 44 year old man. It has been alleged that the man - Moses Virgil Campbell, Jr. - age 44 - had sex with the 14 year old girl. An investigation led to the location of the 14 year old girl underneath Mr. Campbell's bed . The intervention by the teen's mother led to the discovery of this inappropriate and illegal relationship. A cab company and driver also provided information to investigators that led to the arrest of Mr. Campbell. See Man Allegedly Used iPhone App to Meet; Have Sex with 14 Year Old Girl: FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

It was reported that Mr. Campbell met the 14 year old through a Social Networking site / program called i Date - an application for the iPhone. Mr. Campbell will be able to defend himself against these charges from a public defender or a private criminal defense lawyer. It may be a tough case to defend against the charges since there will be evidence in the form of electronic evidence. In addition, police found the teen underneath Mr. Campbell's. How is this going to be explained if it can be explained at all?

Parents should be aware of stories like these and take an opportunity to speak to their children and check on the Internet and Social Networking activity of their children.

In Florida and other States, sexual predators and offenders are using the Internet to try to victimize and molest children. Consenting adults can arrange for meetings, dates, and other relationships online; however, it is much different when a child is involved. Undercover investigators are doing their best to track down sexual predators and offenders who are specifically informed online that the person on the other end is a child. In some instances, the "child" is actually an undercover investigator. The text messages, chats, and e mails are all recorded and saved as evidence when there is a criminal prosecution or arrest made in these kind of cases. In Jacksonville, Florida it was reported that David Marshall Deal, age 24, was convicted of using the Internet to attempt to engage in sexual activity with a minor. The allegations in this case were that Mr. Deal was informed over the Internet that the "child" was 13 years old. During an arranged meeting with the "child", Mr. Deal brought condoms, a camera, and thong underwear. In cases like these, the intent of the criminal suspect is proven by the electronic evidence as well as the items brought to the meeting. You can read more about this story at Man Convicted of Crimes - Attempt to Entice a Child for Sex.

Public figures and broadcasters often times can see a career tarnished or ruined when a crime is committed. Jobs are lost and reputations are scarred. In Gainesville, Florida - home to the University of Florida, a former television and radio broadcaster pled guilty to charges of the receipt / distribution of child pornography. Steven Michael Babik, age 50, admitted to the charges that he downloaded images of child pornography.

The child pornography industry thrives only because there are consumers who buy or distribute the images. Children are victimized yet there are those out there who find it recreational to view images of children being harmed by others.

Investigators and police should continue their efforts to prosecute crimes involving any aspect of child pornography. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any near end or solution to end the ongoing abuse and neglect of child victimized by the child pornography industry and its participants. You can read more about this story at Former UF Broadcaster Pleads Guilty to Charges of Child Pornography.

In Florida, some teacher make headlines for great teaching or accomplishments in the community. Others make headlines when they get arrested and / or fired for having sex with students or inappropriate conduct with teachers. It is estimated that more than 175 teachers in Florida lost their licenses over the past 5 years for sexual misconduct / actions that ranged from sex to touching to inappropriate text messages and e mails. One such incident took place in Tamarac. Josie Stratton was a biology teacher at J.P. Taravella High School. While working as a teacher, she became involved with a "love" affair with a 17 year old student. This inappropriate relationship led the student to moving out of his house and marrying the teacher. The marriage lasted only 5 months. The State of Florida subsequently revoked the teacher's teaching certificate. This is one of many incidents that has tarnished the image of Florida schools and Florida's education system. Most teachers are great and very supportive of the children under their supervision and tutelage. It is a shame that a few "bad apples" use poor and selfish judgment which, in turn, is harmful to the child victim, the school, and the community. You can read more about this topic at Teachers and sex: Scores in Florida have lost jobs due to improper conduct with students.

Parents - do you know what your child is searching for on the Internet? You may be surprised to see what your tike / small child is searching for on the Internet. iMom is a website for mothers that covers a variety of topics. iMom posted the top 100 seaches by children. As you may or may not have expected, sex and porn were in the Top 5 along with You Tube. Children are curious and will explore the computer and Internet. As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we must supervise and monitor a child's use of the computer. There are child predators lurking out there in cyberspace just looking for their next victim. You can see the full list at Top 100 Searches by Children at the www.imom.com site.

In Florida and other States, there are school teachers out there who may pose a risk to our children. In Orange County Florida, a second grade teacher (Dale Chisena, Sr.) was arrested for child pornography charges. Chisena taught second grade at Lovell Elementary School for over 30 years. Investigators reported that Chisena and his son downloaded 1000 child pornography images on their respective computers. The computer Forensic evidence will be a key focus of the evidence against Chisena. Of course, he will have the right to representation from a Florida criminal defense lawyer or a public defender on these charges. It would appear that the number of downloads would be tough evidence to overcome or to explain that it was a mistake. The child pornography industry victimizes child over and over again. Those who pay for or even download it are part of this immoral industry. You can read more about this story at Bond Set for Teacher Accused of Having Child Pornography.

Text messages can also get you in trouble. In Winter Park, Florida, a former band teacher admitted that he sent inappropriate text messages to a student. Joel Moody, age 31, sent sexually suggestive text messages to the student. While it was reported that the student was 18 years old which is the age of majority or adulthood in Florida, the band teacher was in a position of trust and responsibility and should not have sent out these suggestive and inappropriate text messages. Band teachers and other educators have a duty to teach our children not to send out inappropriate text messages. Furthermore, text messaging and friendships between teacher and student often times lead to sexual contact and inappropriate and illegal relationships. Teachers should know the boundaries and should avoid committing any acts that are inappropriate or even have the appearance of impropriety. You can read more this story at Winter Park Band Director Admits to Sending Out Inappropriate Text Messages.

According to the Florida Attorney General’s CyberCrime Unit, Jason Richard Andes chatted twice online with an individual he believed to be a fourteen year old girl. Both times he asked the girl to meet him for sex. He also used his web cam to send nude images of himself to the undercover state investigator who was posing as the underage girl.

Andes was caught in a sting that had been planned in a joint effort by the Florida state CyberCrime unit, the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office, and the FBI. When a search warrant was executed at Andes’ home, police seized his computer, webcam, and other digital media files. Andes has been charged with four felonies; two counts of computer pornography and two counts of soliciting a child via computer. Andes has been booked into the Duval County jail. He is not currently eligible for bond.

While it is great that these law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing Internet predators, parents can do a lot to help keep their children safe while surfing the web. Talk to your kids about web safety, how to respond to inappropriate behavior, and make sure that adult and other objectionable content is blocked from their view.

Read more about this online child solicitation sting operation at Mandarin man arrested this morning for cyber-sex crime.

A man who worked in two North Florida School Districts (Duval and Nassau County) was recently indicted on child pornography charges according to a story posted at the Florida Times Union website. Robert Allan Cowan, age 47, worked at Arlington Middle School, Fort Caroline Middle School, and Yulee Primary School. U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton reported the indictment which involved two counts of producing child pornography, three counts of receiving child pornography and two counts of possessing child pornography. If the allegations are true, it is quite concerning that a man working in the school system would engage in such activity. Of course, Mr. Cowan will be entitled to defend himself against these criminal allegations. In many cases of this nature, there is a solid trail of forensic computer / online evidence that helps secure a conviction and / or a plea deal.

The case was investigated and coordinated by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Children and Families.