Salon.com > Jeff Karoub

Michigan man persuaded moms to abuse kids

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:48:00 +0000

A Michigan man posed as a therapist and used an online alias to talk to mothers across the country and persuade them to sexually assault their young children, then send him the images of the attacks, authorities said Monday.

Since authorities arrested him in October, seven children were rescued and at least three mothers have been arrested. Prosecutors say all of the children are now safe.

Steven Demink, 41, of Redford Township, Mich., appeared in federal court in Detroit to enter his plea on six charges related to the sexual exploitation of children. Seven charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. He faces 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced in June.

The indictment said Demink used the name Dalton St. Clair on various websites to meet single mothers. Authorities say he connected with mothers in New Hampshire, Idaho and Florida, and coerced and enticed them to engage in sexual acts with their children and send images via e-mail or through a live web stream. The children ranged in age from 3 to 15, according to court documents.

Police intercept Detroit mosque bomb plot

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:06:00 +0000

A Southern California man caught with explosives in his vehicle outside a large suburban Detroit mosque where mourners had gathered for a funeral was planning to try to blow it up, authorities say.

Dearborn police Chief Ronald Haddad said Sunday that authorities believe Roger Stockham was acting alone in the plot against one of the nation's largest mosques but still take him "very seriously." He was arraigned Wednesday on one count of making a false report or threat of terrorism and one count of possessing explosives with an unlawful intent.

Stockham had a large but undisclosed quantity of class-C fireworks including M-80s, which are outlawed in Michigan, Haddad said.

"I was comfortable with the fact that we had taken him off the street -- he isn't going anywhere," Haddad said. "I think the society he wanted to impact is safe."

Haddad said Stockham was arrested the evening of Jan. 24 in the parking lot of Islamic Center of America, while a large group was gathered inside. He said police received a 911 call from a resident.

He said Stockham has "a long history of anti-government activities," though he declined to elaborate.

Chevy Volt wins top prize at the Detroit Auto Show

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:35:00 +0000

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt got another marketing jolt Monday, when it received the North American Car of the Year.

The car that runs on electricity for 40 miles before a backup gas engine kicks in beat out the Nissan Leaf, another electric, and Hyundai Sonata in the annual ceremony on the first day of media previews for the Detroit auto show.

The Ford Explorer won the truck of the year, the third year in a row the Dearborn-based automaker nabbed the honor. Truck finalists were the Dodge Durango, the Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Forty-nine auto journalists from the U.S. and Canada made the picks. The vehicles are judged on innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value.

It's the latest in a string of accolades for the Volt, which went on sale in limited markets in December and costs $40,280. It was named the Green Car of the Year at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and Motor Trend and Automobile Magazine named the Volt the 2011 car of the year the same month.

General Motors Co. Vice Chairman Tom Stephens said the Volt "represents the soul" of the new GM, on the rebound after enduring a government-led bankruptcy in 2009. GM sold between 250 and 350 Chevy Volts in December and Nissan's sales totaled less than 10 Leaf sedans in the past two weeks. Production for both is slowly ramping up.

Search continues after Detroit-area explosion

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 22:55:00 +0000

From beneath the mountain of debris, flames and spewing water where a furniture store had just stood, Jennifer Gietzen heard yelling and saw some movement.

Her husband, Chris Gietzen, and workers from the auto shop the couple manages then ran into the remains of the William C. Franks Furniture store, leveled Wednesday by an apparent natural gas explosion. They climbed "10 feet high on a pile of twisted everything" and started digging after finding Paul Franks, the burned and struggling store owner.

"He was trying to pull himself out, but his leg was stuck," Chris Gietzen, 35, told The Associated Press.

Rescuers arrived quickly and got to Franks, who was in critical condition Wednesday. Crews were still searching hand-to-hand in below-freezing temperatures for two store employees, dialing their cell phones in the hope that the ringing would help locate them.

"They're dealing with a lot of debris," said Inkster Deputy Police Chief Hilton Napoleon, who was assisting officers at the scene. "They've got to be careful so they don't cause any more explosions. You don't know if there are any other flammables in there."

Police evacuated homes and businesses near the store in the heart of Wayne's business district, some 15 miles from Detroit.

Death in Detroit raises questions about reality TV

Wed, 19 May 2010 20:51:00 +0000

When police burst into a home in search of a murder suspect, a reality TV crew documented the raid -- and may have recorded the death of a 7-year-old girl accidentally killed by an officer.

Aiyana Stanley-Jones' death put a spotlight on the growing number of reality shows that focus on law enforcement. A number of big-city departments have used shows such as Fox's "Cops" to attract recruits. Others have shied away from the up-close attention. And critics have questioned whether police behave differently when cameras are watching.

Some experts and officers believe TV crews increase accountability.

"I don't see someone doing anything outlandish for the cameras because it's more of a liability for us," Detroit officer Brandon Cole said.

Detroit homicide investigators are featured regularly on A&E's "The First 48," which tracks murder investigations during the first two days after a slaying. On Sunday, a crew from the show was filming when police raided Aiyana's house in search of a suspect in the killing of a 17-year-old outside a convenience store.

Police have said Aiyana was wounded inside the house when an officer was jostled by, or collided with, the girl's grandmother. An attorney for the family said the shot came from the porch.