These stories present such a conflict…
On one hand, I hate posting stories about anyone caught committing a sex offense. First, these are illegal, immoral and criminal acts. Second, who are we to exploit anyone – we’re no better or worse. Third, after this guy pays his debt to society and does his time, we’ll likely be advocating on the same side of the fence.
On the other hand, whenever I read a story about a Police Officer, Teacher or other person in authority getting busted for a sex offense I believe it goes a long way in illustrating the point that “sex offenders” are not who we need to watch out for. A cop can just as easily be a sexual predator!
Certainly the overwhelming majority of police officers and teachers are good people and are perfectly safe to be around. But that holds true of sex offenders also! The overwhelming majority of registrants are good people and perfectly safe to be around. Statistically speaking; over 95% of sexual offenses are committed by people not on the registry, so it’s important for a parent to be mindful and vigilant around anyone – even their teacher or police. Another sad statistic is that over 85% of sexual offenses are committed by someone known to the victim. So, again statistically speaking; your child has a better chance of being molested by their uncle or coach than a registered sex offender.
All this money that’s poured into punishing sex offenders for the rest of their lives would go a lot further in ending the cycle of violence if it were spent on prevention, education and victim services.
Hyper-focusing on people on a list dilutes and diverts attention from general awareness and actually creates a false sense of security in parents that ‘these are the people we need to watch out for‘, when in fact, the people we need to watch out for is everyone.
Former Orange County deputy faces child porn charges
A former Orange County deputy sheriff was arrested on child pornography charges Thursday, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement spokeswoman said.
Ronald Barba, 34, was charged with three counts of sexual performance of a child, a third-degree felony, according to FDLE spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger.
An FDLE investigator first found Barba’s Internet Protocol address was being used to “advertise” possible child pornography in February, according to Barba’s arrest affidavit.
Investigators tracked the IP address to Barba’s Mount Dora home, which they searched on March 5.
Investigators found three child pornography videos in a folder labeled “stuff,” records show.
Each video was about one minute long, and showed short clips of girls who appeared 10 to 12 years old on a repeating loop, according to Barba’s charging affidavit.
Barba, who was suspended with pay when the investigation began, has since resigned, Orange County Sheriff’s spokesman Jeff Williamson said. He declined to comment further Thursday night.
Barba joined the sheriff’s office in 2008. Before he was suspended, he was assigned to patrols in northwest Orange County.
As of Thursday night, Barba is being held in Lake County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
I know there is a lot of outrage going on in Florida and rightly so. But some of these articles are really sophomoric. Complaining about it isn’t going to change anything. In fact by bringing these issues up it just gives them more energy and attention.
1) No one can be put on the list until they go to court first. Right?
2)’IN RESPONSE TO THIS LAST SENTIENCE OF THE ARTICLE: these are the people we need to watch out for’, when in fact, the people we need to watch out for is everyone.
NOT TRUE: RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT WHO FOLKS NEED TO BE MOST CONCERNED WITH ARE PEOPLE AND FAMILY WHO ARE CLOSE TO THEM…. PEOPLE THEY KNOW. NOT EVERYONE!!
I am definitely one you all, but we gotta rise about this. We are on the right side of the issue already. it’s obvious this is all BS. WE ALL MUST BEGIN FIGHTING OUR OWN CASES.
Please read an article that I wrote for Sosen.org: http://sosen.org/blog/2015/03/31/the-way-to-freedom-fight-your-case-you-are-the-only-one-who-can-change-it.html
Be about the solution!
I agree that it is sad to report on anyone getting caught up in this mess – but I think the dilemma in our feelings about these crimes (or at least for myself) is the double standard. It is absolutely criminal the way they never have to endure what we and our love ones do!
I seen that story about the former deputy also but as usual the media and police protect them as i have yet to see a film of the actual arrest, mug shot, details, face pic. where as if it was a regular citizen there would be all kinds of details, news crews filming the arrest, mug shots and photos of the accused. I’m sure he will get a slap o the pinky finger, not have to register, etc… as so many in law enforcement before him.
That goes without saying!
Remember this BS… http://floridaactioncommittee.org/no-sex-offender-label-for-convicted-officer-of-the-year-in-florida/
That guy was a TOTAL PREDATOR and no registration.
If you’re a cop or a politician you don’t go on the registry. That’s a known fact!
How about Officer Myron Pratt just a few months before (see: http://floridaactioncommittee.org/another-fl-police-officer-caught-molesting-children/)?
Try doing a search on the FDLE registry for that guy? He’s not on there!!!
There are a couple dozen FL cops that got busted within the past year or so for sex offenses:
Aaron Woodford Barnes Police Sergeant Lake Wales FL
Bennie L. Wilson III Police Officer Ocala FL
Billy Chad Gibson Corrections Officer Milton FL
Brian Mcree Sheriff Deputy retired Jacksonville FL
Casey M. Ortiz Police Officer Cape Coral FL
David Ball Police Officer Okaloosa FL
David Kenneth Mudge Sheriff Deputy Bay County FL
David Rodriguez Sheriff Deputy Seminole County FL
Gregory Kazon Fields Jailer Jacksonville FL
Henry Arroyo Police Officer Key West FL
Holritch Rivette Sheriff Deputy Seminole County FL
James Edwards Police Sergeant Miami Dade FL
Jim Davis Police Officer Ormond Beach FL
John Padgett Corrections Officer FL
Joseph Keenan May Sheriff Deputy Manatee County FL
Joshua Smith Police Officer Oakland FL
Juan Cecchinelli School Resource Police Officer Miami- Dade FL
Juan Roman Police Officer Retired Miami FL
Kristopher Robin Butterfield Corrections Officer Lowell FL
Leon Brooks Sr Corrections Officer Jacksonville FL
Mark Gene Smith Sheriff Deputy Escambia FL
Mark Pronovost Corrections Officer Volusia County FL
Michael Stavris Police Officer Bunnell FL
Myron Pratt Police Officer Port St Lucie FL
Oldy Ochoa Jr. Police Detective Miami Beach FL
Ronald Queen Retired Deputy Sheriff Orange County FL
Ryan Pill Sheriff Deputy Corrections Officer Brevard County FL
Walter Michael Thomas Sheriff Deputy Escambia FL
If anyone has the time, check to see how many of them wound up registered.
Check out this site too: http://www.policeprostitutionandpolitics.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100:pedophile-and-child-porn-cops-all-years&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50#2015
Sad… but as I continued my search of headlines from Florida to report on, I came across this one, also from yesterday:
Judge sentences ex-Tampa Day School principal to 10 years for sex assault
(http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/judge-sentences-ex-principal-to-10-years-for-sex-assault/2227724)
A school principal had been molesting children in his school. Again, sad to report on children being victimized but important to illustrate that the “monster” is not someone on a list but can be a police officer or your child’s teacher, coach, principal….