Virginia Man Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Traveling to Haiti and Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct

A Virginia man was sentenced today to 276 months in prison, to be followed by a life term of supervised release, for traveling from the United States to Haiti and engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen of the Western District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Lechleitner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., announced.

James Daniel Arbaugh, 40, of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, pleaded guilty on Feb. 6, to one count of traveling in foreign commerce from the United States to Haiti in or about 2016 to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a person under the age of 18 before U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth K. Dillion of the Western District of Virginia, who sentenced him earlier today and remanded him to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

“James Arbaugh was a wolf in sheep’s clothing: he posed as a selfless missionary when in reality he was exploiting his position to prey on and sexually abuse vulnerable children in one of the most impoverished areas of the world,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski.  “Today’s sentencing is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners to hold sexual predators like Arbaugh accountable for their deplorable crimes.” 

“The defendant abused his position of trust to prey on vulnerable victims, and their lives will never be the same,” said U.S. Attorney Cullen.  “As this case indicates, our office is committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify and vigorously prosecute those who exploit children.”  

“This kind of heinous and evil activity has no place here, abroad or in-transit,” said Special Agent in Charge Lechleitner. “Those seeking to commit such abhorrent crimes and evade detection cannot hide from our highly skilled and dedicated investigators.”

According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea, Arbaugh has lived in Haiti for approximately 15 years and has traveled regularly back to the United States during that time.  According to statements made by the Court during Armbaugh’s sentencing hearing, during his time in Haiti, Arbaugh traveled as a Mennonite missionary regularly visiting remote towns and villages, where he would befriend and groom children in these communities.  Arbaugh admitted that in 2016, while in Haiti, he engaged in illicit sexual contact with a minor under the age of 12 by touching the minor’s genitals under the minor’s clothing.

The investigation of the case was conducted by HSI and the Harrisonburg Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kaylynn Shoop of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeb Terrien of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Virginia.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc..

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Criminal Division

Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

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Detective Forced To Resign After Trying To Charge A Notorious Paedophile Priest

by Danny Tran

A former detective, who was financially and professionally ruined by his own superiors for trying to bring a paedophile priest to justice, will receive compensation almost 50 years after he was pushed out of Victoria Police.

Denis Ryan gave up his police pension when he chose to resign from the force after being ordered to drop his investigation into Monsignor John Day, a Catholic paedophile priest who preyed on children in the Mallee.

The decision had a profound impact on his life, costing him a marriage and the prospect of a comfortable retirement. Until now, he has lived in a rented unit on the proceeds of an aged pension.

But a month after his plight was revealed by the ABC, the Victorian Government has reached a confidential settlement with the 86-year-old.

"Using a colloquial term, I'm out of my socks," said Mr Ryan from his home in Mildura.
"Heck it's a great, great thing to hear," he said. "It'll make quite a difference to me."

Mr Ryan said he had no plans for the money at this stage.

"When I come down to earth, I'll think about such things," he said.

But on the question of redemption, Mr Ryan was much more certain.

"I don't think I'll ever feel vindicated," he said.

"It'll never leave my mind," he said. "I just think of the victims, they suffered so much more than me."

PHOTO When he resigned from the force, Denis Ryan lost his police pension and his benefits.

Three family photos on a cabinet, with the focus on a photo of a young man wearing a police uniform.
ABC RN: JEREMY STORY CARTER
'He was crucified for doing his job'
The details of the settlement have not been disclosed but it will be paid in a lump sum, according to Vernon Knight, who handled the negotiations on behalf of Mr Ryan.

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"Denis is 86, he wants to live the remainder of his life with a measure of comfort and I guess validation, restoring some of the dignity that he would've lost over those years," Mr Knight said.

"We actually quantified that and said, 'Well wouldn't it be nice if you lived in your own unit and you had a few bob to do some of the things that you would've wanted to do?'"
But many in Mildura's tight-knit community see this as a recognition that goes far beyond the dollar amount Mr Ryan will receive.

"He was crucified for doing his job, for endeavouring to protect children and for endeavouring to call to account those who were responsible," Mr Knight said.
"At long last, he's had his day."

'Their allegiance was to a cathedral and not the people'
In the years after he resigned from the police force, Mr Ryan was forced to find work as a fruit packer and would later become mayor of the Mildura Shire.

But despite surrendering his badge, he pursued a relentless campaign to expose the role that Victoria Police's most senior officers played in covering up for Monsignor Day.

In 2015, Mr Ryan testified before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

"We do not doubt that Victoria Police transferred Detective Ryan from Mildura for investigating allegations that Monsignor Day had sexually abused children in Mildura," the royal commissioners wrote in their findings.

Victoria Police officially apologised to Mr Ryan in 2016, but the weight of the force's actions continue to weigh on him.

"I think very much of the then-children that are now adults whose lives have been shattered by the acts of a paedophile priest," he said.

"At the time, Gerald Ridsdale, who's another notorious paedophile, he would've been caught in the net if the police had listened to me ... but they didn't.

"Their allegiance was towards a cathedral and not to the people of Victoria that they'd sworn an oath to protect. They did not protect them."

But Mr Ryan had a message for the Premier.

"I certainly want to say to the Government of Victoria, led by Daniel Andrews, when he heard this, he leapt into action and finished within a month what has taken 47 years," Mr Ryan said.

"I'm very pleased. Thank you."

Trinity Mount Ministries

Police reveal seven have been arrested in Lincolnshire church child abuse probe so far

The senior detective leading Operation Redstone believes there are more victims who have not yet come forward

by Paul Whitelam

A major police investigation into child abuse at church organisations in Lincolnshire has led to the conviction of three paedophiles - and a senior detective believes there are more to come.

Depraved former deputy head teacher Roy Griffiths, 82, is the third person to be jailed as a result of Operation Redstone, an investigation into complaints of abuse at the Lincoln Diocese.

John Bailey, 76, former director of education for the Diocese of Lincoln and Stephen Crabtree, the rector of Washingborough and Heighington until 2014, have also both been given prison sentences for abuse.

Four other people have also been arrested.

Detective Superintendent Rick Hatton, who is leading the operation, today reveals he believes there a number of other victims out there and has made an appeal for them to come forward.

Dean of Lincoln 'truly sorry' that child sex abuse victims at Lincoln Cathedral School had to wait 50 years for justice.

He said: "We have spoken to over 250 people during our investigation. If I’m honest, I think there will be other people who have suffered abuse at the Cathedral School who have yet to talk to us.

"It takes courage for victims of non-recent abuse to speak up. I hope the success we have seen to date in securing convictions may help anyone who wants to talk to us to pick up the phone.

"We are happy to speak to anyone who went to the Cathedral School, whether they wish to make a complaint or not.”

Griffiths, of South Street, Sherborne, Dorset, was deputy head as well as housemaster and choirmaster at the former Lincoln Cathedral School. He was jailed for six years and seven months at Lincoln Crown Court after he admitted six charges of indecent assault against six boys between January 1963 and July 1970.

He left the school in 1970 following a complaint about his behaviour - but the court heard that neither the school nor the Lincoln Diocese passed the matter onto the police at the time.

John Bailey in a police mugshot
Bailey, 76, was director of education for the Diocese of Lincoln from 1996 until he resigned in 2002. He was jailed for six years in 2017 after he pleaded guilty to 25 charges of indecent assault - some of which dated back more than 60 years.

And Crabtree, the rector of Washingborough and Heighington until 2014, was jailed for three years in March 2016 after admitting six counts of indecent assault on a 15-year-old girl between April 1992 and April 1993.

Of the other four people who have been arrested, two of them will not be charged while the other two suspects are still under investigation.

Operation Redstone was launched in 2015 to investigate 'historical claims' of child abuse at Lincoln Cathedral School and some churches in the Lincoln Diocese, some of which date back to 1958.

The Dean of Lincoln The Very Reverend Christine Wilson said: "The conviction of Roy Griffiths recognises the appalling crimes he perpetrated while in a position of trust and responsibility at the then Cathedral School.

"This case will have brought to the surface profoundly disturbing memories, for the victims of his crimes, their families, and for those who witnessed the abuse of their friends and peers.

Former Lincoln deputy headmaster jailed for shocking offences committed almost 50 years ago
"On behalf of the cathedral, I want to say that I am truly sorry that these matters have only now been brought to justice.

"It is deeply shameful that those who were abused have had to spend most of their lifetime dealing with the aftermath of the abuse perpetrated against them."

The Dean added: "Tragically, for some, justice came too late. The victims and survivors of Griffiths’ horrendous crimes, and the families of those who have died before justice could be served, have shown enormous courage.

"I wish to acknowledge their bravery in speaking out. Their extraordinary resilience has enabled Griffiths to be brought to justice. It is thanks to them that he now has to account for his actions.

"Lincoln Cathedral will continue to support Roy Griffiths’ victims and their families in any way that we can.

Sex offending churchman confessed crime to Lincoln diocese after letter from victim – but was allowed to keep his job for years.

"Our team stands ready to support anyone affected by this case or who contacts us about any issue of harm and abuse.

"We promise to listen attentively to their stories, walk alongside them in seeking justice and ensure that their voices are heard.

"We are resolute in our commitment to ensure that Lincoln Cathedral today is a safe place, and to disrupt the conditions in which abuse can happen."

Trinity Mount Ministries

Paedophiles, Rapists, Sex Offenders, Win Appeals To Work With Children

Dozens of paedophiles, rapists and violent sex offenders will be allowed to work with children after winning appeals

By Sam Duncan - Australia

Successful appeals at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) have resulted in over 12 working with children bans being overturned in just five years.

Those who have won their appeals include a man who was caught by police with a half-naked boy in his car.

A 31-year-old man fondled his partner's teenage daughter after taking her camping, and a another man, 22, raped a 13-year-old girl, ABC News reported.

A different offender raped a woman after a buck's party, while another was caught masturbating in public toilets and train stations in front of women and children.

Serial child rapist, 26, jailed after being found with hundreds of pornographic images and videos of girls as young as four.

'Paedophile hunter', 42, charged with 'menacing people over the internet' after the vigilante lured alleged child groomers online and performed citizen's arrests.

A man who was groomed and abused by one of the paedophiles told the ABC allowing the man to work with children was a huge risk.

'He shouldn't be allowed to have a working with children permit, simply because he's been convicted of paedophilia,' he said.

'It's like putting the kid in the candy store and walking out and all the jars are open.'

Child protection organisation Bravehearts' founder Hetty Johnson slammed the VCAT decisions, and said paedophiles should never be able to work with children.

'I just wouldn't want to risk a child's whole future on … a hope and a prayer that maybe this person would never do it again,' she said.

Working with children checks are automatically denied in Victoria for people convicted of crimes such as murder, rape and paedophilia offences.

Those with denied applications can then appeal to VCAT, which has overturned 38 cases in five years, including more than a dozen involving sexual offences.
In a statement to the ABC, VCAT said its role was to apply the law made by the Victorian Government. 

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has been critical of children checks in the past, describing the system as a failure in 2015.

Martin Pakula, Victoria's Attorney General, said recommendations from the Royal Commission have led to a strengthening of the application process.

Mr Pakula said the State Government understands the concern in the community, and wants to do everything possible to ensure the safety of children.

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