Child Molestation and Abuse

June 7, 2016

In re IVAN N. Juvenile Court Law

Ivan N. was 17 years old when he admitted that he had touched his 7-year-old adoptive sister (referred to as the “victim”) by using his penis and hands to touch her genital area numerous times over the period of approximately one year. At 17, Ivan N. was considered a minor; his adoptive parents learned of the sexual abuse (molestation) due to an incident that occurred in the home. In April of 2015, Ivan N. was arrested and charged with two counts of committing a lewd act on a minor under the age of 14; he was arraigned and confined at juvenile hall.

The court dismissed one count after Ivan admitted to one count in May of 2015. He admitted that he molested the victim to get back at his parents, and apologized during an interview for his conduct. Ivan was referred to an outpatient or residential facility following a psychological evaluation, a facility offering therapy and programming for treatment of adolescent male sex offenders. It was determined that Ivan was a person described by section 602 who was subject to probation. The probation department prepared a social study, which recommended Ivan, could receive appropriate treatment at a CBO (community based organization).
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May 14, 2014

Saginaw Township Man Pleads No Contest to Sexual Assault of Female Relative

by Scott Grabel

In March of this year, we wrote about a 21-year-old Saginaw Township man who had been charged with sexually assaulting a young female relative. Now, Matthew J. Martinez has pleaded no contest to charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against someone with whom he is related, according to news reports at Mlive.com.

Martinez was originally charged with three counts of first-degree CSC. In exchange for his no contest plea, prosecutors agreed to drop two of the counts. Saginaw County Circuit Judge Robert L. Kaczmarek indicated following a Cobbs hearing that the minimum sentence he would give to Martinez would not exceed nine years. The maximum sentence for first-degree CSC is life in prison; Kaczmarek is scheduled to sentence Martinez on June 9.

Martinez allegedly sexually assaulted the victim between January of 2010 and August of 2013. News articles do not indicate how the victim and Martinez are related. Continue reading

April 30, 2014

Cadillac Man Accused of Child Pornography Facing Charges in Federal Court

by Scott Grabel

Brian Sevrey, a 56-year-old Cadillac man who is accused of child pornography, was facing state charges in Wexford County in connection with allegedly sexually exploiting a 2-year-old girl, according to news articles at Mlive.com. Sevrey will now face federal charges as an indictment has been filed and Sevrey transferred to Grand Rapids from the Wexford County Jail.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children was notified by Google; Michigan State Police were then notified by the agency of Sevrey’s activities which allegedly included using a computer to commit a crime. In all, Sevrey faces five charges which include child sexually abusive activity and distributing child pornography. If convicted of the charges against him, Sevrey will spend a minimum of 15 years in prison, and up to 30.

Court records revealed that Sevrey had the 2-year-old girl engage in conduct that was “sexually explicit” so that he could photograph her private areas. According to the indictment filed in Grand Rapids U.S. District Court, the defendant also touched the girl while photographing her. Sevrey was scheduled for an arraignment and detention hearing on April 28 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh Brenneman Jr., and is being held without bond. Continue reading

March 22, 2013

Bay City Man Facing 34 Felony Charges After Allegedly Raping 12-year-old Buena Vista Township Girl

by Scott Grabel

In December of 2012, 25-year-old Charles View was charged with 14 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of second-degree CSC against someone under the age of 13 after he allegedly sexually assaulted a Buena Vista Township girl 17 times. On Tuesday following the 12-year-old girl’s testimony, additional charges were added including one count of first-degree CSC, five counts of second-degree CSC, two counts of unlawful imprisonment, and nine counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration. In all, View now faces 34 felony charges.

View previously lived in Buena Vista Township, where he allegedly committed the crimes against the victim during 2012. He remains in the Saginaw County Jail, where he is being held without bond. In his December arraignment, a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf by Saginaw County Chief District Judge M. Randall Jurrens.

Prosecutors requested the additional charges against View on Tuesday; Saginaw County District Judge A.T. Frank granted their request and View will now face trial on all 34 felony charges.

Michigan sex crime defense attorneys understand that the charges against View are extremely serious. Without an experienced and aggressive lawyer to provide a strong and effective defense, he will likely face many years and possibly life in prison. Being convicted on sexual assault or rape charges almost inevitably results in a lifetime of punishment, as even those who serve prison time and are released are typically labeled as ‘sex offenders’ for life, and required to register with the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry.

May 14, 2010

Craft Acquittal of 22-Counts of Sexual Misconduct Not A “Real” Victory

by Scott Grabel

Tonya Craft, a former Georgia kindergarten teacher who’s child molestation trial captured the nation’s attention, was acquitted Tuesday on charges of molesting three girls, ages 5 and 6. She was found not guilty on all counts including child molestation, sexual battery and aggravated child molestation. Had she been found guilty, she would have faced up to 400 years in jail.

Craft notes though that despite her acquittal, it doesn’t feel like a victory. She stated on the Today Show, “[t]here’s nobody that wins in this situation. My whole heart has been taken, and I got half of it back.”

Since her arrest nearly two years ago she has lost much:

Her two children were taken away from her. One of her daughters testified against her. Ms. Craft now has to fight to regain custody.
Craft lost her home and had to move.
Craft lost her job and was ostracized by her community. She has received death threats.

Craft wants to share her experience and make people aware “that this can happen anywhere, anytime, to anyone.”

Sadly, false arrests are all too common. Sexual misconduct allegations can be made by anyone regardless of whether any physical evidence exists and are often pursued by overzealous prosecutors. In Craft’s case, one of the alleged victims admitting lying and another said she was promised a toy.

In cases involving children, the accusations can be particularly devastating and life altering. Often, the accusations are the result of contentious custody battle or vindictive ex-spouses seeking revenge.