New Sexting Scandal Hits Michigan Sixth Grade Classroom

6th Graders?

6th Graders!

The "victims" of the latest sexting scandal (that's when teens send naked pictures to each other using their cell phones, a combination of "sex" and "texting") come from Herbison Woods School in DeWitt, Michigan (not far from the Dumbass Daily corporate headquarters). Apparently a sixth grade boy and girl exchanged "revealing pictures of themselves" and then, of course, the were passed around to other kids and then the adults found out. Here's more from WILX-TV in Lansing:

"We had several students inappropriately taking pictures and distributing them on cell phones," Superintendent Tina Templin said. Templin would not confirm the details of this case, but parents we talked to said two sixth graders...a girl and boy... took revealing pictures of themselves, sent them via picture text to each other, then shared them with friends.
"I guess I've heard about it happening in high school, maybe junior high , but sixth grade? That's pretty young for that to be happening," Steve McGiveron said. McGiveron has two kids at Dewitt High School. "Back in my day you would just look at Playboy under the bed, so it's nothing new," he said, "but I think technology has allowed it to become so much easier and widely accessible to people of all ages."
One parent with children at Herbison Woods said this is a growing problem and enforcement has got to start at home, so she's blocked picture texts from her kids' cell phones.
Parental involvement is imperative, Templin said, and that's why she sent a letter to every parent in the district. "I really wanted to inform the parents of the seriousness of the situation and also for their help with talking to the students," she said. Templin would not discuss punishment, except to say no students will be expelled. But parents tell Newsten the male "honor student" was suspended for five days while the young girl is still in school. "There would not be a double standard," Templin said. "We would apply the code of conduct evenly across the genders. There would not be discrimination happening."

Teacher Sex Scandal Update: Autumn Leathers Pleads Guilty to Sex With Boy, 15

Autumn Leathers.

Probably the best name EVER for a female teacher caught in a student-teacher sex scandal. Leathers used to be an English teacher at Mountain Ridge High School (Maryland). That is, until May of 2008 when she allegedly began a three-month relationship with the boy. Now she plead guilty to the charges and likely is heading to jail. Here's more from the Baltimore Sun:

A former high school English teacher from Frostburg has pleaded guilty to a sex offense with a 15-year-old male student. Autumn Lee Leathers, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree sex offense during a court hearing today in Cumberland.In return for her guilty plea, prosecutors dropped more serious charges, including child abuse and assault.The conviction carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail, a $1,000 fine and registration as a sex offender.

Sixty-Year-Old Sex Offender Arrested for Wearing Fake Breasts, Wig to Hang Out in Women's Restroom

Is it illegal for a man to want fake books and long hair? Well, it is it you were them to apparently disguise the fact that you are--in fact--a man, and you then hang out in a women's bathroom. Oh, and being a registered sex offender probably won't help you with the cops, either. here's more from the San Jose Mercury News:

Richard Rendler, 60, of San Jose, a registered sex offender, found that out on Friday in Campbell, when he was arrested at the PruneYard Shopping Center on misdemeanor loitering charges. Campbell Police Sgt. Dave Carmichael said Rendler was arrested after having been caught in the womens' restroom of an unnamed store for "several minutes.''
Police were tipped off to Rendler's whereabouts shortly before noon on Friday, when a witness called authorities to say a man was getting out of his car wearing fake breasts and a wig and carrying a purse. The witness saw the man near a bank and thought it was a little "weird'' to see a man wearing what seemed to be a disguise, Carmichael said.

Boy, 14, Dresses Up as Chicago Cop. Fools Officers for Five Hours!

Note to Chicago Residents: You can rest safe now, after your local police department spotted an imposter in their ranks and it only took five hours. Who was this master of disguise? Would you believe a 14-year-old boy? The good news is that the CPD claims that the lad "did not have a gun, never issued any tickets and didn't drive the squad car," during his shift. Well, I hope not! Here's more from WBBM:

A 14-year-old aspiring police officer donned a uniform, walked into a Chicago police station and managed to get an assignment - patroling in a squad car for five hours before he was detected, police said Sunday. The boy did not have a gun, never issued any tickets and didn't drive the squad car, Deputy Superintendent Daniel Dugan said.
Assistant Superintendent James Jackson said the ruse was discovered only after the boy's patrol with an actual officer ended Saturday. Officers noticed his uniform lacked a star that is part of the regulation uniform.
Police said they were investigating how the deception went undetected for so long in what they described as a serious security breach. Police said disciplinary steps are possible pending the outcome of the investigation. Police didn't identify the boy because of his age. He has been charged as a juvenile with impersonating an officer. Dugan said the boy looks older than 14 and was motivated by a desire to be an officer, not malice or "ill intent."

High School Teacher Accused of Sex With Underage Girl; Gave Her Note to Cut Class for Sex

Dear Mr. Principal:

Please excuse this hot young lady from English class so that she can go home
with me for sex, uh, I mean some special personal tutoring.

Signed,
A. Teacher

Okay, maybe the note didn't read like that, but my guess is it was pretty close to that. Here's more on the story from News 10 Now:

A Newark Valley High School teacher has been accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student. John Puglisi, 29, of Endicott, has been charged with rape and endangering the welfare of a child. State Police say the Social Studies teacher had an ongoing sexual relationship with the girl and drove her from school to his home to have sex on more than one occasion. They say he also forged a note to the student allowing her to leave school early.

British Mom Arrested for Letting Son Smoke: Her 3-Year-Old Son!

Some parents say, "The kids going to do it anyway, might as well let him learn how to do it safely at home," but I'm not sure that applies to smoking . . . especially when the kid in question is only 3! Mom, Kelly Marie Pocock, has plead guilty to letting the toddler smoke, but here's the best line from the court proceedings in Londa: ". . . the boy, at the age of three, knows what to do with a lighter and cigarette." Likely she only admitted to it because of front of hers captured the whole thing on a cell phone video and showed it to social workers, who were not amused. Mom claims she was "shocked" to find out that the tot knew how to "light one up" but it sounds like the judge in the case wasn't buying any of it. Here's more from the BBC News:

A three-year-old boy lit a cigarette butt and smoked it in front of his mother, a court has been told. It was filmed on a mobile and passed to social services by Kelly Marie Pocock's friend, Merthyr Crown Court heard. The friend earlier spotted him smoking a cigarette and said it looked like he had been "smoking for many years".

The judge said it was an appalling case and Pocock, from Merthyr Vale, was sentenced to 40 weeks suspended for two years after admitting child cruelty. But Judge John Curran said he did not jail Pocock because of her "considerable efforts" since the incident. Prosecutor Jonathan Rees told the court Pocock's friend Natasha Dudley filmed the events after visiting her home just after Christmas 2007.

Mr Rees said Ms Dudley had gone looking for the boy after he had been missing for 30 minutes. She found him underneath the bed with some cigarettes," said Mr Rees. "He was actually smoking one at the time and Ms Dudley said it looked like he had been smoking for many years." The court heard that when the boy was taken downstairs he went into the living room where he picked up a cigarette butt from an ashtray and smoked it. Mr Rees said at this point, Pocock was having a telephone conversation so Ms Dudley decided to film the boy, such was her concern.

"The video demonstrates the boy placing a cigarette into his mouth, lighting it with a lighter and sucking, drawing smoke clearly into the lungs and he seems to do it with some accomplishment," said Mr Rees. "It doesn't cause him any discomfort. He is sat on a chair close to the mother, who is talking on the phone. "It is clear that the boy, at the age of three, knows what to do with a lighter and cigarette."

Baby Found Wandering Motel Parking Lot, Mom Arrested

How freaked out would you be if you came back to your motel room late at night, your toddler was gone from the playpen where you left her, and all you found was a note from the cops asking you to call? Yeah, that's likely NOT going to make your day.

Read more from WPRI:

Police in Louisiana arrested a 22-year-old East Providence, Rhode Island woman after her 18-month-old baby was found wandering in the parking lot of motel. An eyewitness told Hammond Police that she found the child walking alone in 35-degree weather late Monday night wearing " a thin nightie and a pair of socks".
Police say around 10 pm, they found the empty second-floor room used by the mother, Kimberly Briggs and her boyfriend, who is the father of the child, with the door open. According to police, the playpen and baby bed were empty, and there was a daiquiri on one of the tables.
While inside, officers left a note for the two parents telling them to call police once they got back. Briggs called police a couple of hours later asking where her child was. She originally told police she had asked someone to watch the baby while she went to pick up her boyfriend from work. But, later admitted to police that the story was not true, and that she had left her baby alone in a playpen in the room.
Police believe the baby went down the stairs and into the parking by itself. They also say Briggs admitted she had been drinking and taking medicine before the incident.

Drunk Teen, 13, Steals Three Cars, Wrecks Two of Them

Wasn't it Meatloaf who sand "Two Outta Three Ain't Bad?" That saying could go for an Australian boy, 13 from Palmerston who was able to steal not one but three cars while drunk. On the down side, he wrecked two of them (not surprising with a BAC of 0.123) running into a parked car and then a fence before being caught by the cops.
Apparently drunk driving is a full time job for many of the residents of Palmerston, as at least seven other drink drivers were caught by police the same night, including a 31-year-old man who was caught behind the wheel with a blood alcohol reading of 0.213, and a 41-year-old woman driving unlicensed who blew and impressive 0.195.
Maybe these two were the teen's parents and they were all making a drinkin' & drivin' night of it, eh? (ABC News Australia)

Latest Female Teacher Sex Scandal: Kendra Hoffpauir From Leesville, LA

Looks like we have a "leader in the clubhouse" for the 2009 "Hot Teacher Having Sex With a Student" competition. Kendra Hoffpauir, 24, works at Vernon Middle School (or used to work there) and stands accused of inappropriate activity with a male juvenile. She was picked up under the seldom used charge of "felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile" which we think--remember we're not lawyers--means they think she had sex with some kid. Kendra Hoffpauir's mug shot is at right. Looks like she may have worked on those eyebrows a little too long, but compared to others arrested so far this year, she's a keeper!

Here's more from Leeseville Daily Leader:

Friday, Jan. 16 detectives of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Kendra Hoffpauir, 24, of Leesville. Hoffpauir has been charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Hoffpauir, a para-professional at Vernon Middle School, is accused of inappropriate activity with a male juvenile. The victim, a 15-year-old, is not a student of Hoffpauir’s, and according to detectives with the VPSO, has never been. The arrest came after an investigation, which began after the victim’s parents reported the incident to the VPSO. (hoffpair, hofpauir, hofpair)

Couple Stuck in Snow Arrested on Drug Charges

If you're going to haul anhydrous ammonia around in your van, you may want to make sure that you don't get stuck in the snow. What's the big deal about anhydrous ammonia? It's often used to make crystal meth, and apparently transporting it--if you're not a farmer using it to fertilize crops--is against the law. Bobby Joe Witt, 34, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (in great mug shot, right) likely knew that when his 1994 Chrysler van got stuck in the snow in a rural area near Vinton, Iowa. Which could explain why he and the female companion in his vehicle took off after a farmer helped pull them out of deep snow this week. Here's more from the WCF Courier:

The vehicle, a 1994 Chrysler van, was pulled out of the snow by a farmer. The deputy asked the driver of the van for their driver’s license, and the driver sped off turning east on Highway 30 driving 100 mph. The driver of the van refused to stop and turned south on Highway 151. The deputy saw the passenger throw a duffle bag from the van, the bag was leaking anhydrous ammonia. The van continued into Fairfax, where the passenger allegedly threw out a cooler. At that point the deputies vehicle became stuck in the snow. The van was spotted later when returning for the cooler. When confronted by a deputy, the van drove east toward Cedar Rapids. The van eventually was stopped by a Iowa State Trooper with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office assisting. Lucynda Jo Manternach age 36 from Mechanicsville, a passenger in the van was charged with possession of anhydrous ammonia with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance, a class D Felony.
The driver of the van Bobby Joe Witt age 34 from Cedar Rapids, was charged with attempting to elude while participating in a felony, a class D Felony; possession of anhydrous ammonia with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance, a class D Felony; transporting anhydrous ammonia, a serious misdemeanor.

Tampa News Anchor Russell Rhodes Arrested for DUI in Parking Garage . . . With Pants Undone?

Seems like there might be more to this story, but what we have so far is pretty good: a local TV anchor from Tampa was spotted by cops driving his car erratically in a parking garage. When officers stopped him, he tried to run away (apparently concerned about his career) but was tackled from behind and landed face-first on the concrete . . . as Russell Rhodes' mug shot (right) will attest. The other odd thing about the arrest? His pants were undone at the time he was pulled over. What do you make of that boys and girls?

Here's more from MSNBC:

At 10:15 p.m. an off-duty deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spotted a 2006 BMW 325i driving recklessly in a public parking garage, said J.D. Callaway, spokesman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
The deputy stopped the BMW and , Rhodes, got out with his belt undone and his pants unbuttoned, though they were still up. Rhodes appeared to be intoxicated, Callaway said. Rhodes tried to walk away from him twice after being ordered to stay put and surrender his car keys, According to the deputy, When Rhodes tried to run out of the garage, the deputy grabbed him. "He began to flail his arms," Callaway said. That's when he was "taken to the ground." Rhodes seemed to have substantial injuries to his face, all of which Callaway said happened when he hit the ground. He was charged with obstructing an officer without violence and was released Saturday morning on $500 bail.

That's gonna leave a mark.

That's So Whack! High School Psychology Teacher Charged for Sex With Boy, 17

You'd think she'd know better . . . or at least be able to understand WHY she was so sexually attracted to a boy less than half her age. Oh well, here's more from Idaho Statesman:

A psychology teacher at Borah High School accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student between May and October will go to trial April 27. Michelle Ward Farley, 40, is on paid administrative leave from the Boise School District. She pleaded not guilty Friday to eight charges of sexual battery of a minor between the ages of 16 to 17. According to court records obtained by the Idaho Statesman, the teen told police he had as many as 15 sexual encounters with Farley between May and Oct. 30.

A Case of Premature Discharge? State Trooper Arrested for Shooting Roommate's Car

If you can't trust a New York State Trooper with a gun, who can you trust? Not much to this story--yet-but here's what we have so far from WHEC-TV in Rochester, via MSNBC:

A local state trooper has been suspended after being charged with a crime last month. Investigator Michael Pray of Greece was arraigned in city court Tuesday on weapons charges. According to state police Pray fired four rounds from his gun at his roommate's car. There was no one in the car at the time. Pray was arrested for prohibited use of a weapon and reckless endangerment of property, both are misdemeanors. He's been suspended with pay until the investigation is complete.

Anyone else think this might have been the result of, "Who drank the last beer?" rage? How about "Who ate all my Doritos?"

Racine, Wisconsin Mayor Arrested on Child Porn, Solicitation of a Minor Charges

Okay, well this may mean a new frontrunner in the race for the "Stupid Mayor of the Year" award. Of course, last year, Detroit's mayor Kwami Kilpatrick was arrested for lying about an affair with his chief of staff that lead to the firing of two cops that ultimately cost the city 8 million dollars. That pretty much put him in the lead, but Racine Mayor Gary Becker might take over the tops spot after his arrest this week on charges involving child pornography and solicitation of a minor. Here's more from the Chicago Tribune:

Racine Mayor Gary Becker was freed on bond late Wednesday -- a day after his arrest on tentative charges of attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child, child enticement and possession of child pornography. Authorities said Becker also was being held on tentative charges of exposing a child to harmful materials, using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and misconduct in public office.

Racine County District Attorney Michael Nieskes said he was reviewing reports Wednesday, and any formal charges would likely be filed Thursday morning. Becker was expected to appear in court Thursday. He was held at Kenosha County Jail until he was picked up by his lawyer about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after a relative posted the bond, which had been set at $165,000 cash. State agents arrested him at the Brookfield Square Mall in Brookfield Tuesday evening.

Racine police received a tip about two weeks ago about possible criminal activity involving Becker, Police Lt. James Dobbs said. Concerned about a possible conflict of interest, they turned the investigation over to the state Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation.

Female Teacher Accused of Having Sex More Than 300 Times With Underage Boy - Christine A. McCallum

Not that we're keeping track of these things, but if we were, it is likely we would say the "average" female teacher sex scandal reports on 2 or 3 incidents before the accused is caught. If the affair goes on for several months, we might see close to a dozen "encounters." But “approximately 300 times" over a year and a half? That's a lotta sex! But that is what Christine A. McCallum, a 29-year-old fifth grade teacher at Woodsdale Elementary School in Abington, Massachusets, is accused of and we can't want to see what comes out in the trial! The number comes from the alleged victim who estimated the pair had sex "every other day" starting when he was 13.
Their first time? Again, according to the victim, it happend on the couch in her living room while her husband slept upstairs!
At right, a picture of Christine A. McCallum at her court appearance. Here's more on the story from the Boston Herald:

A married South Shore teacher was living a disturbed double life for nearly two years, police said, allegedly seducing a 13-year-old boy, plying him with booze and having sex with him on kitchen floors and couches, sometimes right under the nose of her husband.

Christine A. McCallum, 29, who is on leave from her job at an Abington elementary school, was charged yesterday with seven counts of statutory rape for the serial liaisons in Rockland and Abington from February 2006, when she allegedly took the boy’s virginity, to November 2007.

McCallum, a waifish bespeckled blonde who tightly clutched her husband’s hand in court yesterday, declined comment.

But her alleged teenage conquest told police they had sex more than 300 times - almost “every other day” while he was 13, 14 and 15 years old. The boy told police they had sex for the first time Feb. 7, 2006, on a couch at McCallum’s Rockland home while her husband slept upstairs, according to a police report.

Teacher Sex Scandal Update: Judge Allows Use Of Recording - Stephanie Ragusa

You remember Stephanie Ragusa, don't you? She's the Florida teacher who was out on bail for having sex with an underage boy when she was--alleged--caught AGAIN at the kid's house having sex with him again. Cops took her mug shot each time, and every time she was smiling, as if this was all some big joke. (On us, maybe?) Here's the story of her fourth arrest and the, uh, exclusive mug shot Dumbass Daily got its hands on.
Well, she was back in court this week, still smiling, and still getting deeper in trouble. Seems her lawyer wanted the judge to throw out a key piece of evidence, a tape recording between Ragusa and her alleged victim where she pretty much admits she knew having sex with the boy was illegal and she'd go to jail if she got caught. here's more from Tampa Bay Online:

A judge on Thursday decided to allow prosecutors to use a taped conversation between a former teacher and a teenager she is accused of molesting.

Stephanie Ragusa, 29, is being held on charges she molested two boys. Investigators recorded a 17-minute phone conversation between her and one of the boys, who told deputies he was 14 when he had sex with his teacher.

In the conversation, Ragusa says she doesn't want to end up wearing an orange jumpsuit and that she knows the relationship is illegal. She also tries to define the legal term "statute of limitations."

Ragusa's attorney, Robert A. Herce, asked Judge J. Rogers Padgett to prevent prosecutors from using the recording as evidence at trial. Herce argued that the recording was not legal because law enforcement officers were not present.

Attorneys said investigators were present when the teen placed a call to Ragusa and left a message for her to call him back. The investigators waited for about an hour and then left after giving the equipment to the boy and his father with instructions on how to use it and what to say. They retrieved the recording the next morning.
Herce argued that Florida law, which once required such recordings to be made "under color of law," now requires that they be done "under the direction of law enforcement," which Herce argued means officers must be present. He said this was different from "at the direction" of law enforcement, which was the previous requirement.

Assistant Hillsborough County State Attorney Rita Peters said courts repeatedly have ruled that investigators are not required to be present for such recordings.

After listening to the detailed arguments, the judge dismissed Herce's motion.

Mother of the Year? Woman Accused of Drunken Breastfeeding of Baby

Just when you think you've heard it all and seen it all . . . you realize you haven't and that some dumbass will surprise you. Take Allanah Earley, from Durham, CT who wandered into a to a bar . . . with her baby. And then things get weird.
Here's more from WTNH:

A Durham woman has been arrested after she allegedly brought her three week old daughter into a bar and then went to a friend's house and breast fed the baby while she was intoxicated. Police say Allanah Earley went to a bar with her baby and became "extremely intoxicated." She then began to wander around Middletown in the cold with daughter, police said. Earley then proceeded to a friend's house on High Street and continued drinking. While she was drinking alcohol at her friend's house, she began to breast feed the child.

When police arrived to investigate, they found Earley was barely able to stand upright and was slurring her words. She admitted to police that she brought the baby to the bar and had about seven drinks.

Headline of the Year: NY Teacher Accused of Ordering Student Penis Video

Say what? What is going on in our schools these days? We have had plenty of stories of teachers having sex with students, but convincing a kid to take pictures and video of his wiener? No names associated with this story yet, but since it's happening in New York City, it will only be a matter of time before this thing is all over the news. Here's more from NewsDay:

A teacher at a private music school in New York City is charged with persuading an 11-year-old boy to take nude pictures and video of his penis and later touching the student's private part. Queens prosecutors say the 24-year-old teacher has been arraigned on charges of sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child and possessing and promoting child pornography.

The guitar and piano teacher faces a maximum seven years in prison if convicted. He's being held on a $25,000 bail. Prosecutors say the teacher offered the boy money in December to take pictures and video of his penis with the teacher's cell phone in the school's restroom.