Andrew Spedden can’t stay out of prison

Andrew Spedden lost his last chance in court today.

County officials tried to find another place to help Spedden with his sexual addictions, after his therapists discharged him for having inappropriate sexual contact with a man in his counseling group.

But no group would accept the 36-year-old city man, due to what a judge said was Spedden’s inability to control his actions and his manipulative behavior.

So now Spedden will receive his therapy behind bars, in a state prison, while he serves a 1 1/2- to three-year sentence for violating his parole on child pornography charges.

“You always want to see how close you can skate to the line,” Lancaster County Judge James Cullen told Spedden. “In doing that, you skate over it.”

Spedden was arrested in 2003 for having what city police said at the time was the largest known collection of child pornography in the county’s history. Police found the collection while investigating an unrelated credit card case.

He was charged with 74 counts of sexual abuse against children for possessing about 1,000 sexually explicit images of child pornography. Those charges were consolidated into one count of possessing pornography, to which Spedden pleaded guilty.

But he has violated his parole several times. In 2006, he admitted approaching children for sex and viewing pornography on computers, according to past reports. He was put back in prison.

Then earlier this year, he violated his parole again, by having inappropriate contact with a fellow therapy group member.

The court looked for another group to take Spedden, but none would.

“It appears they view him as inappropriate for outpatient treatment,” Cullen said.

Spedden acknowledged violating his parole and apologized for his actions.

“I am not proud of them,” he said. “It is a very heavy burden for me to bear.”

“I do have a struggle with conforming with what’s expected of me,” he said.

However, Spedden said he did not fully understand the rules regarding contact between him and other members of his therapy group. He noted that he was allowed to drive another member of the group, an Amish man, to therapy sessions because the man did not drive.

He was trying to help the second man, he said, by allowing him to stay with him because he did not have housing.

Cullen appeared flabbergasted by that response, noting that Spedden always seemed to have an excuse or justification for his behavior.

“There is simply no comparison,” the judge said, between giving a ride to someone and engaging in sexual conduct with someone.

Cullen noted that Spedden will receive credit for about six months he already has served in prison. He also recommended that Spedden should be housed in a prison that emphasizes sexual offender treatment.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Sami Ishaq – Repeat Sex Offender – Still going at age 74

A registered sex offender from Lindenhurst was arrested Wednesday night and charged with criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child after he had sexual contact with a 16-year-old boy, Nassau police said.

Sami Ishaq, 74, of 929 South 4th St.,was classified by the state Sex Offender Registry as a low-risk, Level 1 offender.

Ishaq had sexual contact with the boy on Dec. 5 in Massapequa, Special Victim Squad detectives said. He faces arraignment Thursday at First District Court, Hempstead.

State law requires Level 1 offenders to register for a minimum of 20 years but their names are not listed on the registry’s public Web site. Higher-risk Level 2 and 3 offenders are publicly listed.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Sami Ishaq – Repeat Sex Offender – Still going at age 74

A registered sex offender from Lindenhurst was arrested Wednesday night and charged with criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child after he had sexual contact with a 16-year-old boy, Nassau police said.

Sami Ishaq, 74, of 929 South 4th St.,was classified by the state Sex Offender Registry as a low-risk, Level 1 offender.

Ishaq had sexual contact with the boy on Dec. 5 in Massapequa, Special Victim Squad detectives said. He faces arraignment Thursday at First District Court, Hempstead.

State law requires Level 1 offenders to register for a minimum of 20 years but their names are not listed on the registry’s public Web site. Higher-risk Level 2 and 3 offenders are publicly listed.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

James McAndrew – Repeat Sex Offender – Child Porn

A registered sex offender was arrested Wednesday after authorities say they found child pornography in his home.

Federal probation officers were searching James McAndrew’s home, 34811 Hibiscus Drive, when they reportedly uncovered several compact discs in his bedroom closet. On the label were the words “Internet photos No. 1” and a partially clothed young female in heavy makeup, an arrest affidavit states.

A quick look at the CDs contents revealed child pornography, according to the affidavit. McAndrew, 54, who was on probation for a federal conviction of possession of child pornography in 2003, was arrested on that same charge in Hernando County.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

James McAndrew – Repeat Sex Offender – Child Porn

A registered sex offender was arrested Wednesday after authorities say they found child pornography in his home.

Federal probation officers were searching James McAndrew’s home, 34811 Hibiscus Drive, when they reportedly uncovered several compact discs in his bedroom closet. On the label were the words “Internet photos No. 1” and a partially clothed young female in heavy makeup, an arrest affidavit states.

A quick look at the CDs contents revealed child pornography, according to the affidavit. McAndrew, 54, who was on probation for a federal conviction of possession of child pornography in 2003, was arrested on that same charge in Hernando County.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Dionysios Yuri Shallan Jr – "the quintessential sexual predator"

A former track coach at Oakmont High School in Roseville was sentenced Wednesday to three years and eight months in state prison for nine felony counts including lewd acts upon a child.

Dionysios Yuri Shallan Jr., who also served as a coach at Casa Roble High School in Sacramento before coming to Oakmont in 2001, pleaded guilty to the charges Oct. 29. They stemmed from sex acts committed on two underage female track athletes, one an Oakmont student and the other from Casa Roble, that occurred between late-1999 and April 2005, officials said.

“We view the convicted felon as a manipulator,” prosecutor Garen Horst told Judge J. Richard Couzens before the sentencing.

Shallan, of Rocklin, has no prior criminal history. In addition to coaching, he was a substitute teacher for the Roseville Joint Union High School District, officials said.

Wednesday’s development follows other legal troubles for Shallan relating to youth sexual abuse.

In 2005, the Placer County District Attorney’s Office charged Shallan with misdemeanor child abuse involving two other Oakmont students. That case resulted in a mistrial in April 2007.

But prosecutors kept working the case, and additional victims were later identified, resulting in the felony charges issued Sept. 5.

“We kept the investigation going and that led to a stronger case,” he said.

Shallan has not been employed with the district since shortly before the misdemeanor charges were filed in 2005. He has been in custody in the Placer County Jail since then.

Shallan also pleaded guilty in October to one count of perjury relating to testimony he gave in the misdemeanor trial.

Dressed in jail-issue orange garb, Shallan sat shackled and expressionless Wednesday as victims’ representatives made statements before the judge and urged a stronger sentence.

One victim’s mother excoriated Shallan for violating the trust between athlete and coach: “You used that opportunity to prey on vulnerabilities and their personal trust in you for your pleasure,” said the woman, who is not being identified to protect the victims’ privacy. “You are the quintessential sexual predator.”

Horst told the court Shallan was without remorse.

“He violated the trust of the school he worked for,” he said.

The charges included four counts of oral copulation, two counts of lewd acts upon a child with a 10-year age difference, and one count of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

Couzens handed down the maximum sentence of three years for those counts, to be served concurrently. Another count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor added eight months to that total.

Oakmont Principal Kathleen Sirovy said the school initiated the investigation into allegations that became the misdemeanor case. Shallan resigned after that inquiry started and was subsequently banned from campus, she said.

“Oakmont initiated and cooperated fully with the families and law enforcement throughout this investigation,” she said in a statement. “We are pleased that we have reached closure and that justice has been served.”

In a 2002 interview on DyeStatCal.com, a track and field Web site, Shallan credited for his faith in God for his “strength” and said: “Coaching helped me to see the passion I had had all my life. It gave me the opportunity to help others. It is the most gratifying thing in the world to do.”

As part of his sentence, Shallan will also register for parole for three years after his term ends. He must also register as a sex offender.

Dionysios Yuri Shallan Jr – "the quintessential sexual predator"

A former track coach at Oakmont High School in Roseville was sentenced Wednesday to three years and eight months in state prison for nine felony counts including lewd acts upon a child.

Dionysios Yuri Shallan Jr., who also served as a coach at Casa Roble High School in Sacramento before coming to Oakmont in 2001, pleaded guilty to the charges Oct. 29. They stemmed from sex acts committed on two underage female track athletes, one an Oakmont student and the other from Casa Roble, that occurred between late-1999 and April 2005, officials said.

“We view the convicted felon as a manipulator,” prosecutor Garen Horst told Judge J. Richard Couzens before the sentencing.

Shallan, of Rocklin, has no prior criminal history. In addition to coaching, he was a substitute teacher for the Roseville Joint Union High School District, officials said.

Wednesday’s development follows other legal troubles for Shallan relating to youth sexual abuse.

In 2005, the Placer County District Attorney’s Office charged Shallan with misdemeanor child abuse involving two other Oakmont students. That case resulted in a mistrial in April 2007.

But prosecutors kept working the case, and additional victims were later identified, resulting in the felony charges issued Sept. 5.

“We kept the investigation going and that led to a stronger case,” he said.

Shallan has not been employed with the district since shortly before the misdemeanor charges were filed in 2005. He has been in custody in the Placer County Jail since then.

Shallan also pleaded guilty in October to one count of perjury relating to testimony he gave in the misdemeanor trial.

Dressed in jail-issue orange garb, Shallan sat shackled and expressionless Wednesday as victims’ representatives made statements before the judge and urged a stronger sentence.

One victim’s mother excoriated Shallan for violating the trust between athlete and coach: “You used that opportunity to prey on vulnerabilities and their personal trust in you for your pleasure,” said the woman, who is not being identified to protect the victims’ privacy. “You are the quintessential sexual predator.”

Horst told the court Shallan was without remorse.

“He violated the trust of the school he worked for,” he said.

The charges included four counts of oral copulation, two counts of lewd acts upon a child with a 10-year age difference, and one count of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

Couzens handed down the maximum sentence of three years for those counts, to be served concurrently. Another count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor added eight months to that total.

Oakmont Principal Kathleen Sirovy said the school initiated the investigation into allegations that became the misdemeanor case. Shallan resigned after that inquiry started and was subsequently banned from campus, she said.

“Oakmont initiated and cooperated fully with the families and law enforcement throughout this investigation,” she said in a statement. “We are pleased that we have reached closure and that justice has been served.”

In a 2002 interview on DyeStatCal.com, a track and field Web site, Shallan credited for his faith in God for his “strength” and said: “Coaching helped me to see the passion I had had all my life. It gave me the opportunity to help others. It is the most gratifying thing in the world to do.”

As part of his sentence, Shallan will also register for parole for three years after his term ends. He must also register as a sex offender.

Edward Scott Yancey – Repeat Sex Offender – Predator

The city of Long Beach is changing how it hires youth athletic directors after alleged sexual misconduct by one of its coaches.

Last month, 37-year-old Edward Scott Yancey was arrested after officials say he molested a young boy.

“As a parent I’m concerned. I want my kids to be coached by somebody that we know that we can trust,” said parent Keith Hammons.

Former coach Edward Scott Yancey still sits in the Harrison County Jail after charges of molestation. The thing is, BEFORE the arrest, Yancey was already a sex offender.

“They did the local check and it didn’t come up,” said Hammons.

Yancey never registered as a sex offender and went on to get a job coaching a Long Beach basketball league.

Parents insist something fell through the cracks and they were upset when Recreation director Bob Paul came under fire.

“Just relying on one person is not the way that the system is supposed to work,” said parent Richard Brown.

The Long Beach board of alderman ultimately decided not to take action against the popular rec director. But what has changed, is some of its policies.

Since the incident the city of Long Beach pays a firm to conduct national background searches. In the past, only local searches were completed.

Like neighboring Gulfport, the city of Long Beach will also follow the National recreation and Park Association’s guidelines when selecting volunteers.

As for this case, the mayor says he hopes the city can move forward in making sure it never happens again.

Edward Yancey is still in the Harrison County Jail. His bail is set at 1-million dollars.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Edward Scott Yancey – Repeat Sex Offender – Predator

The city of Long Beach is changing how it hires youth athletic directors after alleged sexual misconduct by one of its coaches.

Last month, 37-year-old Edward Scott Yancey was arrested after officials say he molested a young boy.

“As a parent I’m concerned. I want my kids to be coached by somebody that we know that we can trust,” said parent Keith Hammons.

Former coach Edward Scott Yancey still sits in the Harrison County Jail after charges of molestation. The thing is, BEFORE the arrest, Yancey was already a sex offender.

“They did the local check and it didn’t come up,” said Hammons.

Yancey never registered as a sex offender and went on to get a job coaching a Long Beach basketball league.

Parents insist something fell through the cracks and they were upset when Recreation director Bob Paul came under fire.

“Just relying on one person is not the way that the system is supposed to work,” said parent Richard Brown.

The Long Beach board of alderman ultimately decided not to take action against the popular rec director. But what has changed, is some of its policies.

Since the incident the city of Long Beach pays a firm to conduct national background searches. In the past, only local searches were completed.

Like neighboring Gulfport, the city of Long Beach will also follow the National recreation and Park Association’s guidelines when selecting volunteers.

As for this case, the mayor says he hopes the city can move forward in making sure it never happens again.

Edward Yancey is still in the Harrison County Jail. His bail is set at 1-million dollars.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Mitchel A. Calkins – Teenaged MySpace Predator

A Lisbon teen was sentenced today to six months in jail and assignation to the sex offender registry as a high-risk offender for having videos of underage girls.

16-year-old Mitchel A. Calkins was sentenced in St. Lawrence County Court to six months in jail, 10 years probation, and classification as a level 3 sex offender on his guilty plea to possession of a sexual performance by a child.

Calkins admitted to soliciting girls aged 14 to 16 via his MySpace account to send him photos and videos. Calkins would strike up a correspondence with them using an AOL account, and then coerce them into sending more explicit materials by threatening to publish what they had sent him already.

His arrest came after a 14 year old girl complained to police. Several more victims came forward after the initial arrest to say they had went through a similar experience with Calkins.