Former Oklahoma Teacher Charged with Sex Crimes Surrenders
It seems that headlines continually spotlight teachers accused of sex crimes against students. Though teachers are no more or less likely to commit lewd acts with minors than any other person, the nature of their profession seems to make these arrests particularly newsworthy. Furthermore, because Oklahoma law stipulates that sex between a student and employee of the same district is illegal, certain acts which would otherwise be considered consensual sex are illegal for teachers and other professionals in Oklahoma. Oklahoma statutory rape laws set the age of consent at 16; however, teachers, law enforcement agents, and others who are in a custodial or supervisory position are legally prevented from engaging in sexual activity with those under their custody or supervision. However, with the number of teachers accused of sex crimes revealed in the local media, it seems that Oklahoma sex crime defense attorneys would have no shortage of clients needing skillful representation.
Early this week, a former teacher in Clayton, Oklahoma, surrendered to authorities after she was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. Rhonda Ford, 29, resigned her position as English teacher at Clayton High School in Pushmataha County after rumors began circulating that she and a student were sexually involved. In March, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations (OSBI) began investigating the claims, and Ford resigned the following week.
According to police, the alleged victim told authorities that he began a sexual relationship with the teacher shortly after Valentine's Day, and that the two had sex on at least ten occasions in February and March. To confirm his allegations, he told police he could identify a tattoo that Ford has below the panty line.
A warrant was issued for Ford's arrest last week. She surrendered on Sunday to face criminal charges including one count of lewd or indecent acts with a minor under 16, four counts of second degree rape, four counts of sodomy, and three counts of providing alcohol to minors. Three students told police that Ford had asked them to help her move and, as payment, she provided them with beer and liquor.
Ford was employed by Clayton Public Schools for less than one year. She began working for Clayton High School in August 2011 and resigned prior to April 1, 2012.
Before teaching in Clayton, Ford was employed as an English teacher at Cleveland High School for one semester--from August 2009 to January 2010. Though confidentiality law prevents Cleveland Public Schools from releasing details of Ford's resignation, Cleveland High School principal Alan Baker is listed on an affidavit as a witness for the prosecution.
Because the age of consent in Oklahoma is 16, and Ford's alleged victim is 15, she would have been facing prosecution even if she were not a teacher. However, because she was a teacher, she was legally precluded from having sex with any student in the district in which she worked, even if that student had reached or passed the age of legal consent.
Any teacher who has sex with a student not only risks his or her career, but also faces criminal prosecution and mandatory registration as an Oklahoma Sex Offender. If you or a loved one has been accused of lewd acts with a minor or statutory rape, contact a skilled, experienced Oklahoma sex crime defense lawyer as quickly as possible.
Store Manager Charged with Embezzlement in Oklahoma County
Embezzlement often entails complex schemes to siphon money from its rightful owners, but the crime can be as simple as taking the money and walking away. Oklahoma City white collar crime lawyers represent those who have been accused of stealing from the workplace by embezzling funds or property. Sometimes, they represent individuals who are accused of being a part of a covert and longstanding scheme to misappropriate funds. Other times, they may represent individuals who are accused of taking a more direct approach.
Yesterday, and Oklahoma City woman was charged with two counts of embezzlement after she was accused of directly stealing the deposits of an Edmond convenience store. Christina M. DeWitt, 38, was charged with embezzlement in Oklahoma County District Court for allegedly twice failing to deposit the receipts of the Circle K convenience store located at 1308 North Bryant Avenue in Edmond.
Store video allegedly shows DeWitt leaving the store with a deposit of $4,255 on March 29, and a deposit of $10,316.89 on March 30. According to DeWitt's employer, the store manager was supposed to make the deposits and then return to the store to train another employee. However, the employer says, the deposits were not made, and DeWitt never returned to work.
Under Oklahoma embezzlement law, the penalties for embezzlement vary according to the value of the property or stolen funds. For example, embezzlement of less than $500 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. However, the greater the value of the embezzled property, the greater the severity of the crime. In this case, the suspect is accused of stealing more than $14,000. Under Oklahoma law, theft or embezzlement of property valued between $1,000 and $25,000 is punishable by restitution, a fine of up to $5,000, and a prison sentence of up to five years in a state penitentiary.
What is embezzlement? What actions constitute embezzlement and contribute to criminal charges?
Embezzlement is defined as "the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to one's care but actually owned by someone else." In other words, if someone is entrusted with the money or property of an individual, business, or organization, and that person takes the money or property for his or her own personal use, then he or she has committed embezzlement.
Examples of embezzlement include:
- An employee of a business, organization, or institution who pockets all or part of the deposits
- A guardian or an executor of a will or estate who has legal access to the funds of another person, living or dead, and misappropriates those funds for personal use or funnels the money into personal accounts
- An employee takes cash from the register or fails to ring up items, pocketing the customer's payment
- An employee adds fictitious names or names of relatives to the company payroll to collect multiple paychecks for phony employees
- A bookkeeper falsifies payments and accounts
- Check kiting
- Falsifying timesheets
- and more.
If you have been charged with embezzlement, are being investigated for embezzlement, or if you suspect that you may be involved in illegal activity, it is important that you cease the questionable action and contact an experienced Oklahoma white collar crime lawyer who can help you determine the best course of action to protect against criminal charges.
No Contest Plea for Woman Accused of Child Rape in Oklahoma
Amy Marie Blose, 38, of Norman, Oklahoma, has entered a plea of no contest in Cleveland County District Court after she was charged with multiple felonies after an alleged sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy. She is being held without bail pending sentencing June 15. Originally released on $20,000 bail, Blose had her bail revoked after she attempted to contact the victim in violation of a court order.
Blose is accused of having a sexual relationship with the teen, who was a friend of her daughter. She faces up to life in prison for fifteen counts of first-degree rape, five counts of lewd acts with a minor, three counts of forcible oral sodomy, and one count of lewd or indecent proposals to a minor. Though her no contest plea places her at the mercy of the court, she will be required to register as an Oklahoma sex offender for life even if she does not receive a life sentence to prison.
Her no contest plea was likely advised by her Oklahoma sex crimes defense lawyer. Most people do not understand the difference between a guilty plea and a plea of no contest, and a skillful attorney will closely advise his or her clients on which plea is likely to provide the best outcome.
An Oklahoma City criminal defense attorney can explain the possible plea options and the advantages and disadvantages to each. Essentially, a defendant has three plea options: not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere (no contest).
In a not guilty plea, the defendant maintains his or her own innocence. By pleading not guilty, the defendant chooses to have his or her case go to trial to be decided by a judge or jury.
In a guilty plea, the defendant admits to the crime or crimes of which he or she is accused. By pleading not guilty, the defendant avoids the time and expense of a jury trial and accepts the conviction and sentencing of the judge.
A plea of no contest has a similar outcome to a guilty plea: there is no trial, the defendant is convicted of a crime, and the judge issues any sentence. In a no contest plea, the defendant admits no guilt; rather, the defendant chooses not to fight the charges at trial. A nolo contendere plea may offer some relief from civil litigation related to the criminal charge.
Another possible plea option in Oklahoma is the "Alford plea." An Alford plea is similar to a no contest plea. However, whereas a plea of no contest neither accepts nor denies guilt, in an Alford plea, the defendant proclaims his or her innocence. By making an Alford plea, the defendant says that, although he or she is innocent of the charges, the prosecution's evidence would likely result in conviction. The defendant chooses the court's judgment over a jury trial.
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, your Oklahoma defense lawyer should carefully explain your options for pleading and should make sure you understand the advantages, disadvantages, and likelihood of success for each plea. Before making a plea, be certain your attorney has fully explained the options available to you and how each is likely to impact your case.
Teens Charged as Youthful Offenders in Alleged Oklahoma Rape
Oklahoma City juvenile sex offense attorneys represent clients under the age of 18 who have been charged with sex offenses that would be considered a crime if perpetrated by an adult. In a recent case out of Choctaw, Oklahoma, two teens have been charged as youthful offenders, a 19-year-old man has been criminally charged, and two other younger teens may face charges.
On Friday, 17-year-old Kody Matthew Koonce of Choctaw and 17-year-old Cody Gene McGee of Jones were charged with first degree rape and forcible oral sodomy in Oklahoma County District Court. The boys are alleged to have raped a 17-year-old girl with Down Syndrome on February 12 of this year. Two younger boys, at least one of whom was only 14 at the time, are also accused of participating in the sexual assault against the girl, who is said to have the mental capacity of a 5 or 6 year old.
Allegedly, Koonce, McGee, and a third boy raped the girl at a Choctaw residence. The three teens and a fourth boy allegedly also performed oral sex on the girl. A 19-year-old man who was allegedly present at the time of the assault has been charged with abuse or neglect of a child. The man, Rusty Begay, is also charged with forcible oral sodomy for allegedly performing oral sex on one of the boys involved, who was 14 at the time.
Though the alleged victim was 17 at the time of the incident, and above the legal age of consent, her mental capacity as a result of Down Syndrome makes her unable to legally consent. According to Oklahoma rape laws, it is considered rape in the first degree if the rape is "committed upon a person incapable through mental illness or any unsoundness of mind of giving legal consent regardless of the age of the person committing the crime."
If your child has been accused of a sex offense, it is important to find an Oklahoma sex crimes lawyer who is experienced at handling juvenile cases. An Oklahoma juvenile sex crime lawyer will represent your child for the best possible outcome, working carefully to avoid having your child, as a criminal defendant, become a victim of inflated charges and overzealous prosecution.
Trial Ordered for Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Accused of Rape
A former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper will go to trial after a judge ruled that there is enough evidence to try him on second degree rape charges. Patrick Venable, 28, was accused of rape after having sex on duty with a woman he had pulled over in a traffic stop. Venable has since resigned from the Highway Patrol.
The incident in question occurred last summer, when Venable made a traffic stop for suspicion of DUI. According to the probable cause affidavit, Venable pulled the alleged victim over on the Broadway Extension in Oklahoma City at approximately 4:30 a.m. on June 20, 2011. The affidavit says that the woman got into Venable's patrol vehicle, and he turned off the vehicle's camera. Allegedly, Venable told the woman she was pretty and she complimented in kind, leading to sexual contact in the vehicle.
The woman, who testified that she had been drinking at both a family gathering and at a bar in Moore prior to the traffic stop, says that she and Venable then went to her home in Guthrie.
Venable says that the sexual encounter was completely consensual. However, at issue is whether the woman was considered to be in custody at the time of the incident. The former trooper's Oklahoma City rape defense lawyer asserts that the woman was not in custody and that the encounter took place between two consenting adults. However, the judge at the preliminary hearing disagreed and said the woman was in Venable's custody, and therefore a trial on second degree rape charges was warranted. The Oklahoma sex crime attorney says that he will renew the motion to dismiss the case in district court.
Statutory rape in Oklahoma is generally charged as second degree rape. According to the Oklahoma Statutes, certain people are legally unable to consent to sex, and the act of second degree rape is defined as sexual intercourse with someone who:
- is under the age of 16
- was given an intoxicating substance by the defendant as a means to force submission
- is unconscious and the defendant knows this fact
- was tricked into believing that he or she was having sex with his or her own spouse
- is under legal custody of a state agency and has sex with a state employee or the employee of a state contractor
The fifth element of the definition of second degree rape is what makes the designation of custody so critical in this case. Though the case has been ordered to trial, it can still be dismissed if the district court judge agrees with Venable's Oklahoma City rape attorney that the woman was not, in fact, in Venable's legal custody at the time of the incident. Otherwise, that critical point may be up to a jury to decide.
Oklahoma Registered Sex Offenders Challenge Stereotype
For most people, the term "registered sex offender" conjures images of violent rapists, sexual predators, and pedophiles. While certainly there are aggravated sex offenders who fit these descriptions, Oklahoma sex crime defense attorneys know that there are countless others who are forced to register for much less nefarious acts. In fact, some Oklahoma registered sex offenders are on the list for youthful mistakes and others are on the list who have never even had physical sexual contact with a child. Until recently, it was even possible for a person to be required to register as a sex offender after public urination if he or she was convicted of indecent exposure rather than public indecency. Regardless of being charged and convicted for a much lesser offense than aggravated rape or child molestation, mandatory sex offender registration saddles these people with many of the same restrictions and stigma as those convicted of violent sex crimes.
Media reports and online sex offender support networks tell the stories of people who seem to have been unfairly trapped by Oklahoma sex offender registration requirements:
- CNN tells of Ricky Blackman, a young man convicted of a sex offense when he was only 16. Blackman admitted to having sex with a girl he thought was 15, only to find out she was actually 13. He was convicted in Iowa, and his record was eventually expunged. Seeking to make a fresh start, Blackman and his family moved to Oklahoma, where he was forced to register as a sex offender despite the offense being expunged in his home state.
- The Tulsa World writer Leigh Woosley writes of Kim, a 37 year old former prostitute who was required to register as a sex offender after she was convicted of indecent exposure in Oklahoma. Her crime? Flashing her bare breasts to an undercover police officer. She failed to register as a sex offender upon her release from jail and spent an additional two years behind bars for failure to register. Though Kim admits that her jail sentence was probably deserved, particularly in light of a significant criminal history, she says that being lumped in with pedophiles and rapists seems unfair.
- A man posting on the Sex Offender Solutions and Education Network (SOSEN) website feels that his 18-year-old grandson, Coty Marrs, was unfairly prosecuted. According to the elder Marrs, Coty got drunk at a party and went in a bedroom to sleep it off. A 14-year-old girl came in and allegedly initiated a consensual sexual encounter. According to his grandfather, what Coty did was "dumb" and "irresponsible," but the justice system failed him. Sam Marrs says that Coty was denied his right to an Oklahoma sex crime defense lawyer during police investigation, and that when his case went to trial, he had ineffective counsel. According to Mr. Marrs, Coty must register as a Tier 3 Violent Sex Offender, even though the girl admitted the act was consensual and neither she nor her mother wanted to press charges.
The restrictions placed on registered sex offenders in Oklahoma are often more difficult for the offenders than their prison or jail sentences. These people must continue to pay for their crimes through housing restrictions, employment restrictions, and the social stigma that comes with being branded as a sex offender. It is critical that anyone charged with a sex offense--even something as minor as indecent exposure--get swift legal representation from an experienced defense attorney to protect against false accusations, inflated charges, maximum sentencing, and the violation of one's civil and constitutional rights.
Oklahoma Juvenile Crimes: Violence at School
Over the past week, local media has brought news of at least three teenagers charged with bringing weapons to school and another teenager who is accused of the forcible rape of another at school.
Oklahoma violent crime lawyers understand that, although the state is generally perceived as gun-friendly, there are still Oklahoma gun laws outlining who can and cannot lawfully own a gun, and there are gun laws prohibiting the possession of weapons in certain locations. Under Oklahoma law, a minor under the age of 18 is not permitted to possess a weapon, except a rifle or shotgun for hunting, sport, or education under supervision. No one except law enforcement officers is allowed to carry a firearm on school grounds. In the past week, two Oklahoma City metro area teens have violated both laws the underage possession of a firearm and possessing that gun on school grounds. Similarly, a third teen was arrested for bringing a knife to school.
On March 2, 2012, Moore police arrested 15-year-old Dillon Ashby after a loaded gun was found in his locker. It was determined that the gun had been stolen from a car during a recent string of automobile burglaries. Ashby was arrested at Moore's Central Junion High on complaints of possession of a firearm on school grounds and possession of stolen properties. Though Ashby is a juvenile, state law requires that the names of youthful offenders be released if the crime with which they were charged would be a felony if committed by an adult. Ashby is suspected in the automobile burglaries and in the theft of four-wheeled ATVs from area homes.
On March 6, another 15-year-old student was arrested for possession of a gun on school property. The Ponca City High school student was arrested when it was determined that he brought a handgun to school. Police declined to say where the gun was found and whether or not it was loaded, but they did say no threats were made. Because the student has not been criminally charged as of this writing, police have not released his name.
Finally, a 14-year-old girl was arrested yesterday for bringing a knife to school in Oklahoma City. The knife was discovered during backpack scanning at Northwest Classen High School. Initially, the girl told authorities the knife must have "fallen into" her back pack, but later admitted she brought it to school because she was having problems with a male student who was bullying her and who threatened to kill her. As of this writing, she has not been charged.
When it comes to violence at school, Oklahoma gun possession is not the only threat. A Norman teenager has been charged with rape and forcible sodomy after a 16-year-old girl told a school counselor that she was forced into a wrestling locker room at Norman North High School and raped. According to the suspect, 15-year-old Ian Patrick Giles Palmerton, sex between the two was consensual and did not occur on school grounds. Police, however, say that physical evidence obtained at the seen refutes Palmerton's claims.
If your child is in trouble with the law, it can be very frightening for you as a parent. You want to protect your child and his or her future. You want to avoid having a foolish youthful mistake haunt your child for the rest of his or her life. Get sound legal counsel and aggressive defense when you hire an Oklahoma juvenile sex crime lawyer or gun possession attorney from Phillips & Bailey in Oklahoma City.
Homicide Charges in Oklahoma
Last week , a 20-year-old man was convicted of second degree murder in Oklahoma County after fatally shooting a rival in a Wal-Mart parking lot, and a 21-year-old woman was ordered to stand trial on second degree murder charges in Bryan County for her alleged role in the death of a man who reneged on a drug deal.
First degree murder, second degree murder, first degree manslaughter, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide, and justifiable homicide are all terms that refer to the taking of another person's life. Many people hear these terms but do not understand how Oklahoma courts differentiate between these different types of homicide. For those accused or facing a murder charge, an Oklahoma City defense lawyer can explain the precise nature of the charge and the potential penalties.
Among the most commonly charged types of homicide in Oklahoma are first degree murder, second degree murder, and first degree manslaughter.
Murder in the First Degree
First degree murder is the most serious homicide charge. In order to successfully convict a defendant of first degree murder, a prosecutor must prove one of the three following conditions:
- The murder occurred with "malice aforethought," meaning it was premeditated and planned, and the defendant intended to kill the victim.
- The death occurred during the commission of a felony. In this type of homicide, the prosecution does not need to demonstrate that the victim's death was intentional. The homicide victim may be either the victim of the initial felony or may even be a perpetrator of the crime and a cohort of the murder defendant.
- The death occurred as a result of child abuse. If a child under the age of 18 dies as a result of the defendant's abuse or as a result of the defendant's willful permission of abuse, the defendant is charged with first degree murder. The prosecution does not need to prove that the death was intentional, only that it was caused by the abuse.
A first degree murder conviction is punishable by up to life in prison without parole or even by death penalty in a capital murder case.
Murder in the Second Degree
Second degree murder is a lesser homicide charge that first degree murder. In some cases, a skilled criminal defense lawyer in Oklahoma City may be able to negotiate a first degree murder charge to the lesser charge of second degree murder. Second degree murder does not hold to the theory of "malice aforethought," meaning that murder in the second degree did not result from a premeditated act. Second degree murder must meet one of two conditions:
- A death occurred as the result of the imminently dangerous conduct of the perpetrator. In this case, a defendant's depraved mind and/or extreme disregard for human life caused the death of another.
- A death occurred during the commission of a felony that does not serve as the basis for a first degree murder charge.
Second degree murder is punishable by ten years to life in prison.
Manslaughter in the First Degree
First degree manslaughter is a homicide in which the defendant did not intend the death of the victim. There are three types of crimes which may be charged as first degree manslaughter:
- The victim's death occurred during the defendant's commission of a misdemeanor (for example, first degree manslaughter is a common charge in a fatal DUI accident).
- The defendant committed the murder in the "heat of passion."
- The defendant caused the unjustifiable death of another while resisting a criminal intent.
First degree manslaughter is punishable by a minimum of four years in prison.
A common defense to a homicide charge is self-defense or justifiable homicide. Justifiable homicide occurs when a person is in imminent fear for his or her life or for the lives of his or her family members. Justifiable homicide is not a criminal offense; rather, it is the protection and defense of one's life and personal safety.
If you or someone you love is facing a homicide charge in Oklahoma County, it is important to find an Oklahoma City criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A skillful attorney may be able to successfully negotiate a lesser charge or may be able to win an acquittal at trial. Consult with a lawyer for a full explanation of the charge against you, possible penalties you face if convicted, and possible defense strategies.
Man Sentenced for Federal Sex Crime against Oklahoma Boy
A California man convicted of a federal sex crime in Oklahoma was sentenced to twelve years in federal prison. John Kenneth Calderon Bastro, of Long Beach, California, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City following his November plea of guilt to causing distribution of child pornography.
Bastro was accused of soliciting explicit images from a 10-year-old boy in western Oklahoma. In the case, Bastro offered the young boy video game cheat codes in exchange for graphic sexual photographs sent to the perpetrator via text messages. According to court testimony, Bastro and the victim met online playing a video game on XBox LIVE. Bastro invited the boy into a private chat where they exchanged phone numbers. The victim was offered 20 video game cheat codes if he would text explicit photos of himself to Bastro. The boy's mother became concerned and notified authorities after finding text messages from the out-of-state phone number on her child's cell phone.
Child pornography and computer sex crimes in Oklahoma are frequently prosecuted as federal sex offenses. Sexting, soliciting minors online, possession of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography are all sex offenses that are frequently perpetrated over the internet or mobile technology. Because these crimes take place online, they frequently occur across state lines, making federal charges almost inevitable.
Federal sex crimes in Oklahoma are prosecuted by U.S. District Attorneys, presided over by a federal judge in one of Oklahoma's three U.S. District Courts, and defended by Oklahoma federal criminal defense attorneys. The U.S. District Courts and locations in Oklahoma include:
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of Oklahoma in Tulsa
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee
The prosecution in a federal case is often supported by investigation conducted by specialized government agencies such as the FBI, ATF, and DEA. Sentencing in federal court is often much more stringent than sentencing by the local courts, with prison sentences to be served in federal penitentiaries rather than state prisons. For these reasons, it is imperative that anyone charged with federal sex offense obtain legal representation from an Oklahoma defense lawyer who is also an experienced federal sex crime defense attorney.
If you have been charged with a federal offense in Oklahoma's Western District following an accusation of child pornography, internet sex crimes, or other federal sex crimes, contact the law firm of Phillips & Bailey for a consultation with a federal sex crime defense lawyer in Oklahoma City.
Spanish Teacher Arrested on Oklahoma City Rape Complaints
A Spanish teacher at Putnam City High School was arrested earlier this week following allegations that she had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student. Lisa Kays, 46, was booked into jail on Monday on five complaints of rape and forcible oral sodomy in Oklahoma County. She was released on bail the same day. Though the alleged victim was above the age of consent in Oklahoma, it is important to remember that Oklahoma sex crime laws criminalize a relationship between a student and a teacher, administrator, or employee of the school district.
Putnam City Schools campus police were informed of the alleged relationship between Kays and her student when an anonymous tipster sent an email through a program designed to allow individuals to report safety concerns and criminal actions relating to the district's students and employees. After the tip was received on February 7, campus police spoke with the alleged victim and his parents. Initially, the student denied the allegations, saying that, though he had a close relationship with his teacher, so did several other students. After further interviews, however, the student claimed to have had a sexual relationship with the teacher, taking place both on campus and off campus. Interviews with other students seemed to confirm a relationship between the teacher and her student.
Lisa Kays's husband filed for divorce less than three weeks before the anonymous tip was sent to campus police.
Kays is currently on paid administrative leave pending the investigation of allegations of sex abuse. It is always important to remember that any person accused of a sex crime in Oklahoma is to be considered innocent unless he or she is proven guilty. In this case, an Oklahoma City rape defense lawyer may be able to demonstrate that the evidence thus far is based on word of mouth: an anonymous tip, an alleged victim whose story changed after repeated interviews, and the gossip of teenagers at the school. The prosecution may be further complicated by the divorce filing. In some cases, sexual misconduct is falsely alleged to gain the upper hand in divorce proceedings or to seek vengeance in a bitter dispute.
In earlier times, it seemed that sexual relationships or sexual abuse between teachers and students generally dealt with a male perpetrator. Since Mary Kay Letourneau made headlines in 1997 for her relationship with sixth-grade student Vili Fualaau, more and more female teachers have been accused of sexual relationships with students. Sex crime defense attorneys in Oklahoma City and across the nation are seeing more and more women accused of sex crimes against minors. Those accused should seek immediate legal counsel from an experienced attorney to preserve their rights during an investigation and trial.