Brooke Bennett Murder THREAD #2

[Roamer]

The other thread is getting very long, so here's a new one.

[TigressPen]

The other thread is getting very long, so here's a new one.


Thanks Roamer!

[mrsmcgoo]

Was wondering if there is any news on the court proceedings that are taking place today yet?

Thank you to anyone that has some news about this sad case. :frown:

[TigressPen]

Stepfather to be held in Brooke Bennett case


The stepfather of Brooke Bennett did not oppose a motion for detention today, remaining in jail until trial on a federal obstruction trial.

No trial date has been set for Raymond Gagnon, 40, of San Antonio.

Later today, Michael Jacques, the uncle of the slain 12-year-old girl, will appear in federal court in Burlington for an initial appearance and bail hearing. Last week, federal prosecutors said Jacques, 42, could face the death penalty if convicted on federal charges of kidnapping with death resulting.

Brooke was reported missing June 25, about 12 hours after she was dropped off in downtown Randolph by Jacques and another relative.

A witness told investigators Jacques then picked Brooke up again. The witness last saw Brooke June 25 going upstairs with Jacques in his Randolph home. Brooke’s body was found in a shallow grave July 2 in Randolph.

Meanwhile, Vermont State Police say it could be up to eight weeks before results of an autopsy on Brooke’s body are known. When that information becomes available it will be released by the office of Vermont’s U.S. Attorney.

Once suspects are charged in federal court, prosecutors have 30 days to seek in indictment from a grand jury. The defendants do not enter a plea until after they have been indicted.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080707/NEWS/80707003

[5boxersmom]

I just heard on Fox News that they also charged Ray Gagnon with child porn in Alabama. This is where Brooke lived with him and her mother before they divorced.

[mrsmcgoo]

Thank you tigresspen.

5boxersmom, so he is charged in Texas and now Alabama?

[TigressPen]

I just heard on Fox News that they also charged Ray Gagnon with child porn in Alabama. This is where Brooke lived with him and her mother before they divorced.


He admitted that child porn was in his possession in TX, right? They may charge him also. I hope ALA gets him and brings him to court also! But, the Feds will get first bids on him.

[Faith]

Thanks Roamer :friends3:

I heard that on Fox also.


Former Cullman Resident Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

Posted: July 7, 2008 01:33 PM

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Raymond Alfred Gagnon, 40, formerly of Cullman Alabama, has been charged in a Criminal Complaint filed today in United States District Court in Birmingham for possession of child pornography.

Gagnon, who presently owns a home in Cullman, Alabama, is alleged to have possessed child pornography images on computer media which he stored in his former residence on or about June 26, 2008. The complaint also alleges that GAGNON attempted to access a missing twelve year-old Vermont girl's MySpace page through a Cullman library's public computer on or about June 26, 2008.

Gagnon is presently in federal custody in Vermont on Obstruction of Justice charges relating to the kidnapping and murder of 12 year-old Brooke Bennett of Braintree, Vermont.

The United States Attorney and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Northern District of Alabama are assisting federal authorities in Vermont in their ongoing investigation. Any media inquiries should be directed to the United States Attorney's Office in Vermont.

Members of the public are reminded that a Criminal Complaint contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

http://www.waaytv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8629241

[TigressPen]

Thank you tigresspen.

5boxersmom, so he is charged in Texas and now Alabama?

I was thinking it was Vermont who was charging him but gave way for Federal guys to have him first. Has he been charged in TX? YAY!! If he has.

[Faith]

Has there been a cause of death for Brooke yet?

[TigressPen]

Thanks Roamer :friends3:

I heard that on Fox also.


Former Cullman Resident Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

Posted: July 7, 2008 01:33 PM

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Raymond Alfred Gagnon, 40, formerly of Cullman Alabama, has been charged in a Criminal Complaint filed today in United States District Court in Birmingham for possession of child pornography.

Gagnon, who presently owns a home in Cullman, Alabama, is alleged to have possessed child pornography images on computer media which he stored in his former residence on or about June 26, 2008. The complaint also alleges that GAGNON attempted to access a missing twelve year-old Vermont girl's MySpace page through a Cullman library's public computer on or about June 26, 2008.

Gagnon is presently in federal custody in Vermont on Obstruction of Justice charges relating to the kidnapping and murder of 12 year-old Brooke Bennett of Braintree, Vermont.

The United States Attorney and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Northern District of Alabama are assisting federal authorities in Vermont in their ongoing investigation. Any media inquiries should be directed to the United States Attorney's Office in Vermont.

Members of the public are reminded that a Criminal Complaint contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

http://www.waaytv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8629241


Now I am confused! I thought Gagnon was in TX when Jaques contacted him about Brooke and it was there where he had the laptop and pictures that was thrown out by the friend.

[SavannahStar]

Has there been a cause of death for Brooke yet?


I read someplace today that it may take 8 weeks for autopsy results.

[mrsmcgoo]

I was thinking it was Vermont who was charging him but gave way for Federal guys to have him first. Has he been charged in TX? YAY!! If he has.


No you are probably right, I'm sorry to confuse things. Hopefully he will though if they find that computer that was supposedly dumped in the dumpster.

[TigressPen]

Has there been a cause of death for Brooke yet?


One article said it could be weeks before the actual cause of death was determined. I don't think they have actually charged Jaques with her murder yet. Just kidnapping of Brooke and the abuse charges of juvenile 1 along with all the computer, internet charges.

[Faith]

I was thinking it was Vermont who was charging him but gave way for Federal guys to have him first. Has he been charged in TX? YAY!! If he has.


I haven't heard about the TX charge. Doesn't he have to be present when charged? I haven't read that he's left AL.

[Faith]

No you are probably right, I'm sorry to confuse things. Hopefully he will though if they find that computer that was supposedly dumped in the dumpster.

Kevin Grosenheider was charged with obstruction of justice for destroying evidence in TX. Raymond Gagnon asked him to dispose of a safe.

[Faith]

Now I am confused! I thought Gagnon was in TX when Jaques contacted him about Brooke and it was there where he had the laptop and pictures that was thrown out by the friend.


Gagnon was in VT, IIRC he got there on Tues? I can't remember now the day.

Read this:

Friend of man charged with obstruction of justice in missing Vt. girl case regrets helping him

By KATHY McCORMACK , Associated Press

Last update: July 4, 2008 - 4:12 PM

When Kevin Grosenheider received a call early Monday from his friend, Raymond Gagnon, asking him to dispose of a safe, he decided to help him out.

Grosenheider, who rented a room to Gagnon in San Antonio, said he had no idea what was inside, only assuming it was something Gagnon didn't want released. The next day, the FBI showed up and interviewed Grosenheider.

"Rather than do the smart thing — which would've been nothing — I did as he had asked," Grosenheider told The Associated Press in a phone interview Thursday. "I was just doing a friend a favor. And for that I have spent easily over 24 hours hand-in-hand with multiple FBI agents. I don't want to do that again."

Gagnon, 40, who was in Vermont being questioned by authorities, faces obstruction of justice charges in the disappearance of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett, the daughter of his ex-wife, Cassandra Gagnon. An affidavit in federal court in Vermont says Gagnon ackowledged keeping child pornography in his safe.

Police say Gagnon lives in Texas but often visits Vermont.

According to the affidavit, Raymond Gagnon told police he accessed his former stepdaughter's MySpace page from a computer at his San Antonio home after getting login information from the girl's uncle, Michael Jacques.

A 14-year-old girl reported that she last saw Brooke alive walking upstairs with Jacques in his home in Randolph in central Vermont on June 25, according to court papers.

It was the 14-year-old's understanding that Brooke was going to be initiated into a "program for sex" — the same one the teenager had been involved with since she was 9, the papers said.

Since then, Brooke has turned up dead near Jacques' home, prosecutors have charged Jacques with kidnapping her and Gagnon has sat in jail awaiting another hearing Monday.

The affidavit says Gagnon acknowledged that he had downloaded child pornography onto a laptop computer and hard drives he kept in a safe. Gagnon's lawyer did not a return a call Thursday.
http://www.startribune.com/nation/23212489.html?location_refer=Nation


http://www.startribune.com/nation/23212489.html?location_refer=Nation

[TigressPen]

Kevin Grosenheider was charged with obstruction of justice for destroying evidence in TX. Raymond Gagnon asked him to dispose of a safe.

Thanks. I thought he was in TX also. But, I also thought he was in TX when he went to Brooke's myspace page. Maybe he went from TX to Ala before going to Vermont after Jaques contacted him. The Ala charges say he attempted to access her myspace page from a library in Cullman.

[TigressPen]

Gagnon was in VT, IIRC he got there on Tues? I can't remember now the day.

Read this:

Friend of man charged with obstruction of justice in missing Vt. girl case regrets helping him

By KATHY McCORMACK , Associated Press

Last update: July 4, 2008 - 4:12 PM

When Kevin Grosenheider received a call early Monday from his friend, Raymond Gagnon, asking him to dispose of a safe, he decided to help him out.

Grosenheider, who rented a room to Gagnon in San Antonio, said he had no idea what was inside, only assuming it was something Gagnon didn't want released. The next day, the FBI showed up and interviewed Grosenheider.

"Rather than do the smart thing — which would've been nothing — I did as he had asked," Grosenheider told The Associated Press in a phone interview Thursday. "I was just doing a friend a favor. And for that I have spent easily over 24 hours hand-in-hand with multiple FBI agents. I don't want to do that again."

Gagnon, 40, who was in Vermont being questioned by authorities, faces obstruction of justice charges in the disappearance of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett, the daughter of his ex-wife, Cassandra Gagnon. An affidavit in federal court in Vermont says Gagnon ackowledged keeping child pornography in his safe.

Police say Gagnon lives in Texas but often visits Vermont.

According to the affidavit, Raymond Gagnon told police he accessed his former stepdaughter's MySpace page from a computer at his San Antonio home after getting login information from the girl's uncle, Michael Jacques.

A 14-year-old girl reported that she last saw Brooke alive walking upstairs with Jacques in his home in Randolph in central Vermont on June 25, according to court papers.

It was the 14-year-old's understanding that Brooke was going to be initiated into a "program for sex" — the same one the teenager had been involved with since she was 9, the papers said.

Since then, Brooke has turned up dead near Jacques' home, prosecutors have charged Jacques with kidnapping her and Gagnon has sat in jail awaiting another hearing Monday.

The affidavit says Gagnon acknowledged that he had downloaded child pornography onto a laptop computer and hard drives he kept in a safe. Gagnon's lawyer did not a return a call Thursday.
http://www.startribune.com/nation/23212489.html?location_refer=Nation


http://www.startribune.com/nation/23212489.html?location_refer=Nation


Yeah, this article was why I thought he was in TX and went from there to Vermont after Jaques contacted him. But, ALA is saying he was there at a library on 26th... :confused:

[Faith]

>snip<

Raymond A. Gagnon of San Antonio was arrested Monday night in the State Police barracks in Royalton. Gagnon is due to be arraigned today in U.S. District Court in Burlington on a charge of obstructing justice.

http://www.sott.net/articles/show/161129-Missing-Vermont-girl-case-closing-in-on-family

[Faith]

It gets confusing if you miss a few articles.

[TigressPen]

It gets confusing if you miss a few articles.


Brooke went missing Wed, the 25th... Jaques had accessed his comp on 24th and put up that fake message on her myspace page. So apparently, he'd contacted Gagnon before the kidnapping and murder date, before or on the 24th. Gagnon went to Ala and tried to access her computer on 26th. (article says on or about 26th) --

Gagnon knew he planned to 'induct her' into his 'Breckenridge' and did nothing to stop Jaques.

[mrsmcgoo]

It gets confusing if you miss a few articles.


No, I'm very sorry!! It was me who mention Texas charges and I am sorry to have added confusion to this case. I got confused...I'll learn to :INhouseReading04: more.

[TigressPen]

>snip<

Raymond A. Gagnon of San Antonio was arrested Monday night in the State Police barracks in Royalton. Gagnon is due to be arraigned today in U.S. District Court in Burlington on a charge of obstructing justice.

http://www.sott.net/articles/show/161129-Missing-Vermont-girl-case-closing-in-on-family



I remember reading this one. It also says: Gagnon had been living in San Antonio but apparently traveled to Vermont to assist his ex-wife and her family.

"He came up for support," Cassandra Gagnon said in a telephone interview. "He's a very intelligent man, very book smart."


That article is another reason why I felt he was in TX when he was called. But, he had to have gone to Ala first because he was there on 26th.


I have a feeling this whole case will get rather convoluted by press before either of the defendants goes to their first trial. We'll be hearing their names for years on down the road, especially Gagnon's name with all these differing states and feds all charging him.

[Audie]

He admitted that child porn was in his possession in TX, right? They may charge him also. I hope ALA gets him and brings him to court also! But, the Feds will get first bids on him.I'm about 4 hours from Gagme's house. Should I go torch it? Just kidding, but I'd still like to.

So ... they have determined that she died on the same day that she disappeared? The 25th .. Wed?

Any other news I haven't heard? I've been out of internet contact and Dr appts like crazy. (I'll have more news about my bad health, soon .. doesnt look good right now)

[Audie]

Has anyone figured out where the term "Breckenridge" comes from? Breckenridge is a town in Colorado .. that and the movie, Myra Breckinridge is all that I know.

[awakening2lite]

Thanks Roamer :friends3:

I heard that on Fox also.


Former Cullman Resident Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

Posted: July 7, 2008 01:33 PM


Gagnon, who presently owns a home in Cullman, Alabama, is alleged to have possessed child pornography images on computer media which he stored in his former residence on or about June 26, 2008. The complaint also alleges that GAGNON attempted to access a missing twelve year-old Vermont girl's MySpace page through a Cullman library's public computer on or about June 26, 2008.



<snip>

http://www.waaytv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8629241

Thanks for posting this Faith.

Good, I'm hoping the Feds find every single thing possible and use it against all of them!!!!!

Yea FEDS!!!!

[LoveK-9's]

I am just now catching up on latest and reading posts. The charge against Gagnon is just one for now. I think LE is getting their ducks in a row and more charges will be coming down the lane.
O/T, but has anyone tried to get on the "In Session" boards? I can't, so is it me or iis the boards shut down? I'm known as ellvarn over there.

[5boxersmom]

This girl is missing from Cullman, Al. Where RG was living at the time.



http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewChildDetail&caseNum=1086775&orgPrefix=NCMC&seqNum=1&caseLang=en_US&searchLang=en_US

KC STORM SWAIN
Case Type: Endangered Runaway
DOB: Jan 17, 1993 Sex: Female
Missing Date: Dec 29, 2007 Race: White
Age Now: 15 Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
Missing City: CULLMAN Weight: 105 lbs (48 kg)
Missing State : AL Hair Color: Brown
Missing Country: United States Eye Color: Blue
Case Number: NCMC1086775
Circumstances: KC may still be in the local area. Her tongue is pierced.

http://www.missingkids.com/photographs/NCMC1086775c1.jpg

[LoveK-9's]

Doesn't she look like Brooke to you? That's eeery to me.

[5boxersmom]

Yes

[TigressPen]

Doesn't she look like Brooke to you? That's eeery to me.


Yep. In a way she does. I wonder if he was visiting Cullman back then. Maybe Feds, or ALA, will start to check into that also.

[5boxersmom]

Here is another picture of KC Swain. What a pretty girl.


http://whnt.images.worldnow.com/images/6654277_BG1.jpg

[TigressPen]

I am just now catching up on latest and reading posts. The charge against Gagnon is just one for now. I think LE is getting their ducks in a row and more charges will be coming down the lane.
O/T, but has anyone tried to get on the "In Session" boards? I can't, so is it me or iis the boards shut down? I'm known as ellvarn over there.


Nope. Site won't come up.

[5boxersmom]

Yep. In a way she does. I wonder if he was visiting Cullman back then. Maybe Feds, or ALA, will start to check into that also.

I think Gagnon lived there then. Let me do some checking.

[5boxersmom]

He was there in 1998.

Gagnon’s listing in the Cullman City Directory from 1998 to 2007 indicates he lived in Cullman for almost a decade. His address was 1628 Katherine St. NW

Jason Canter, who lives across the street from the address, confirmed Thursday Gagnon did reside there. He went on to say FBI agents searched Gagnon’s former residence Wednesday and questioned him about Gagnon, who Canter said he did not know.

“They kept to themselves,” he said about the Gagnons.

Local law enforcement officers declined to comment on Gagnon.

“Right now I’m really not at liberty to say much of anything about that,” said Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden. Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper also declined to comment on the case.

Both referred inquiries to the FBI.

More at link.
http://www.cullmantimes.com/local/local_story_185230015.html

[TigressPen]

He was there in 1998.

Gagnon’s listing in the Cullman City Directory from 1998 to 2007 indicates he lived in Cullman for almost a decade. His address was 1628 Katherine St. NW

Jason Canter, who lives across the street from the address, confirmed Thursday Gagnon did reside there. He went on to say FBI agents searched Gagnon’s former residence Wednesday and questioned him about Gagnon, who Canter said he did not know.

“They kept to themselves,” he said about the Gagnons.

Local law enforcement officers declined to comment on Gagnon.

“Right now I’m really not at liberty to say much of anything about that,” said Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden. Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper also declined to comment on the case.

Both referred inquiries to the FBI.

More at link.
http://www.cullmantimes.com/local/local_story_185230015.html


I bet Ala are looking into him in relation to this child's disappearance and that is a reason they went and searched the home he lived in during all those years.

[Claudia]

This girl is missing from Cullman, Al. Where RG was living at the time.



http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewChildDetail&caseNum=1086775&orgPrefix=NCMC&seqNum=1&caseLang=en_US&searchLang=en_US

KC STORM SWAIN
Case Type: Endangered Runaway
DOB: Jan 17, 1993 Sex: Female
Missing Date: Dec 29, 2007 Race: White
Age Now: 15 Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
Missing City: CULLMAN Weight: 105 lbs (48 kg)
Missing State : AL Hair Color: Brown
Missing Country: United States Eye Color: Blue
Case Number: NCMC1086775
Circumstances: KC may still be in the local area. Her tongue is pierced.

http://www.missingkids.com/photographs/NCMC1086775c1.jpg

She has a pierced tongue??? At her age? :thud2:

[SavannahStar]

She has a pierced tongue??? At her age? :thud2:


Heh! My son brought a girl home he just adored, many years back, around that age, with a pierced tongue. Ick! Didn't last long, thank God!!!!!

:g:

[KittyMom]

Pedo's sometimes hide their photos/movies/etc. Maybe LE thought Gagnon might've forgotten something when he moved.

[Audie]

I am just now catching up on latest and reading posts. The charge against Gagnon is just one for now. I think LE is getting their ducks in a row and more charges will be coming down the lane.
O/T, but has anyone tried to get on the "In Session" boards? I can't, so is it me or iis the boards shut down? I'm known as ellvarn over there.Hi K9.

I def. agree with your first paragraph. I can't wait for all these scumbags to go down for their scumbag ways.

O/T: A lot of us used to post there, but things happened and now we are here, lol. Maybe someone else can explain better. I still go there occasionly for extra info. I like this site "extremely" better. Different user friendly, but everybody is nice here.

[Leanne]

Hi K9.

I def. agree with your first paragraph. I can't wait for all these scumbags to go down for their scumbag ways.

O/T: A lot of us used to post there, but things happened and now we are here, lol. Maybe someone else can explain better. I still go there occasionly for extra info. I like this site "extremely" better. Different user friendly, but everybody is nice here.

In Session is closed for maintenance apparently.

[awakening2lite]

Pedo's sometimes hide their photos/movies/etc. Maybe LE thought Gagnon might've forgotten something when he moved.

I think you're on to something. Gagnon could have diddled with the myspace page from anywhere, yet he made a hurried trip to Alabama and the library to do it. Hmmmm, and he has a house there. He could have done it from his home but he might have thought they could trace it to him. But, he still had a reason to select that location, that town to be in.

Gotta be a reason. I wonder if he has a storage unit there or any pedo friends in that town. Lots of possibilities. Maybe he needed to remove something from his home there.

I hope the FBI is able to find out exactly why he chose that city and that library to change Bennett's myspace site.

Aren't libraries biggest users children and students? I wonder if the library was within his comfort zone.

[Faith]

Prosecutor: Vermont Girl's Death Was Homicide; Uncle Held Without Bail
Last Edited: Tuesday, 08 Jul 2008, 12:43 AM CDT
Created: Monday, 07 Jul 2008, 11:43 PM CDT

07/07/2008 --

A 12-year-old girl found dead last week in a shallow grave near her uncle's home was killed, a federal prosecutor said Monday at an initial appearance for the uncle on charges of kidnapping the girl.

Michael Jacques, who is accused of abducting his niece, Brooke Bennett, was ordered held until his trial on a federal kidnapping charge. His attorney, Michael Desautels, did not ask U.S. Magistrate-Judge Jerome Niedermeier to release Jacques.

"(Jacques) has a very serious criminal history demonstrating an extreme danger to the community," Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan said.

Nolan said Brooke's death was a homicide, but he didn't say how she was killed. No one has been charged with her death. State police say it could take eight weeks before autopsy results are available.

Jacques could face the death penalty if convicted under federal law of kidnapping resulting in Brooke's death.

Prosecutors say Jacques, 42, abducted Brooke on June 25. After a weeklong search, she was found buried about a mile from his home in Randolph, about 50 miles southeast of Burlington.

Jacques is a registered sex offender. He was convicted in 1993 of kidnapping and raping a woman he supervised at a fast food restaurant. Citing statements from another underage girl, prosecutors claim in an affidavit that Jacques tricked Brooke into thinking she was going to a party and instead took her to his Randolph home to initiate her into a child sex ring on the day she disappeared.

At a hearing in the same court earlier Monday, Brooke's former stepfather, Raymond Gagnon, did not contest his continued detention on obstruction of justice charges related to the case. Gagnon, of San Antonio, is accused of having someone throw out his laptop computer a week ago while authorities were searching for Brooke.

Gagnon married Brooke's mother in 2000, but they later divorced.

During Gagnon's hearing, federal prosecutors in Alabama charged the 40-year-old with possessing child pornography at his former home in Cullman, Ala.

In affidavits filed in Vermont, the FBI said Jacques changed a posting to Brooke's MySpace account the night she was reported missing. Gagnon also accessed the account that night, but denied changing the posting, according to the affidavit.

In announcing the pornography charge, federal prosecutors in Birmingham, Ala., said Gagnon acknowledged trying to access the account again from a public computer in the Cullman library "on or about" June 26, the next day.

The complaint in Alabama said Gagnon flew from San Antonio to Cullman that day and on to Burlington on June 27.

Neither Jacques nor Gagnon has entered a plea.

Both defense attorneys left the courthouse without speaking to reporters.

Preliminary hearings on evidence against both Gagnon and Jacques were scheduled for July 17.

Pal in Case of Vermont Girl Regrets Involvement

Click here to read the Gagnon affidavit (FindLaw PDF).

http://www.myfoxgulfcoast.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6932499&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.1.1

[Faith]

Pal in case of Vermont girl regrets involvement
KATHY McCORMACK ASSOCIATED PRESS
Originally published 05:12 p.m., July 4, 2008, updated 04:27 p.m., July 4, 2008

When Kevin Grosenheider received a call early Monday from his friend, Raymond Gagnon, asking him to dispose of a safe, he decided to help him out.

Grosenheider, who rented a room to Gagnon in San Antonio, said he had no idea what was inside, only assuming it was something Gagnon didn't want released. The next day, the FBI showed up and interviewed Grosenheider.

"Rather than do the smart thing _ which would've been nothing _ I did as he had asked," Grosenheider told The Associated Press in a phone interview Thursday. "I was just doing a friend a favor. And for that I have spent easily over 24 hours hand-in-hand with multiple FBI agents. I don't want to do that again."

Gagnon, 40, who was in Vermont being questioned by authorities, faces obstruction of justice charges in the disappearance of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett, the daughter of his ex-wife, Cassandra Gagnon. An affidavit in federal court in Vermont says Gagnon ackowledged keeping child pornography in his safe.

Police say Gagnon lives in Texas but often visits Vermont.

According to the affidavit, Raymond Gagnon told police he accessed his former stepdaughter's MySpace page from a computer at his San Antonio home after getting login information from the girl's uncle, Michael Jacques.

A 14-year-old girl reported that she last saw Brooke alive walking upstairs with Jacques in his home in Randolph in central Vermont on June 25, according to court papers.

It was the 14-year-old's understanding that Brooke was going to be initiated into a "program for sex" _ the same one the teenager had been involved with since she was 9, the papers said.

Since then, Brooke has turned up dead near Jacques' home, prosecutors have charged Jacques with kidnapping her and Gagnon has sat in jail awaiting another hearing Monday.

The affidavit says Gagnon acknowledged that he had downloaded child pornography onto a laptop computer and hard drives he kept in a safe. Gagnon's lawyer did not a return a call Thursday.


Grosenheider, in his late 50s, is quoted in the affidavit as saying he didn't know what was in the safe "but assumed it was child pornography."

That's not how Grosenheider remembered the conversation Thursday.

"They asked me what was in safe; (I said) 'I don't know. I had never seen the safe open,'" he told the AP. "I assumed it was something he didn't want (discovered)."

When asked about the child pornography reference, Grosenheider said, "That's the FBI."

According to the affidavit, Grosenheider told authorities he threw the safe into an apartment complex Dumpster near his home. Authorities said the safe hasn't been found.

Grosenheider, who lives with his fiancee and her 17-year-old daughter, has not been charged with any crime. He said that he has known Gagnon for four years and that Gagnon had been renting the room for about six months.

He said Gagnon was his boss at Avanzar Interior Technologies in San Antonio, which provides seats and other interior parts for vehicles.

"It is a complete shock," Grosenheider said of Gagnon's legal troubles, adding it's as if "there was two different people here." He described Gagnon as considerate, nice and intelligent, although he was a messy tenant, leaving clothes and other items around the house. Grosenheider said he would often pick up Gagnon's stuff and dump it at his door.

Grosenheider said he knew little about Gagnon's past. He said he met Jacques twice, including once when Jacques showed up at work and the three went to lunch. Later, Gagnon told him that Jacques was his brother-in-law (they married sisters) and had a criminal record.

Jacques is listed in Vermont's sex offender registry. He was convicted of rape and kidnapping in 1993.

"Ray had told me about his prior incarcerations, and I'm like ... what are you doing even talking to this guy?'" Grosenheider said.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/04/pal-in-case-of-vermont-girl-regrets-involvement-1/?page=1

[mrsmcgoo]

Pedo's sometimes hide their photos/movies/etc. Maybe LE thought Gagnon might've forgotten something when he moved.


I agree! I can't remember the case but pictures where found in a a heating duct by a contractor who was replacing carpet. (or maybe it was a home owner not sure) He took one look at the pictures and called police and the case was solved. The criminal forgot the pictures where hidden there apparently. Wish I could remember the case but it was either on AMW or Cold Case Files on A & E.

[LiveLaughLuv]

I just can't believe there are no murder charges for Jaques!

Too bad the authorities can't find that safe. I'd like to know it's contents.

[TigressPen]

I deleted this one because after rereading it, it has same info as others already posted. I am angry that family has to wait for Jaques to be charged in Brooke's murder. But, I know LE has to have information to show he was responsible.

[TigressPen]

I agree! I can't remember the case but pictures where found in a a heating duct by a contractor who was replacing carpet. (or maybe it was a home owner not sure) He took one look at the pictures and called police and the case was solved. The criminal forgot the pictures where hidden there apparently. Wish I could remember the case but it was either on AMW or Cold Case Files on A & E.


I remember seeing shows depicting the one you mentioned here also. One where the killer hid rolls of film under the kitchen floorboards and they were found years later. Police knew pictures made, they just couldn't find them.

[Claudia]

Heh! My son brought a girl home he just adored, many years back, around that age, with a pierced tongue. Ick! Didn't last long, thank God!!!!!

:g:

Yeah.... MY son brings home a 13 yr old with a pierced tongue & she will have the door shut in her face! Tongue rings imply something that NO 13 yr old girl should be implying.

[mrsmcgoo]

I remember seeing shows depicting the one you mentioned here also. One where the killer hid rolls of film under the kitchen floorboards and they were found years later. Police knew pictures made, they just couldn't find them.


Hi Tigress, yes I think that is the one I am thinking of too. With any luck they will find something in that house.

[SavannahStar]

I deleted this one because after rereading it, it has same info as others already posted. I am angry that family has to wait for Jaques to be charged in Brooke's murder. But, I know LE has to have information to show he was responsible.

Well even more than that...I think they have to have more details from the autopsy (if possible, depending on state of decomposition etc.) that may help determine the exact charge, and if any other charges will be added on to "murder." (Rape, desecration of a corpse, or what have you.)

Sorry so graphic.

I'm not in a hurry for that murder charge. I know it's coming and he's not going anywhere.

[SavannahStar]

Yeah.... MY son brings home a 13 yr old with a pierced tongue & she will have the door shut in her face! Tongue rings imply something that NO 13 yr old girl should be implying.

At the time I don't think I even realized the "implication." :blondblush113268230 At any rate, "didn't last long" meaning a few phone calls, a couple of get-togethers. He's got better sense now. A LOT better sense.

[5boxersmom]

I agree! I can't remember the case but pictures where found in a a heating duct by a contractor who was replacing carpet. (or maybe it was a home owner not sure) He took one look at the pictures and called police and the case was solved. The criminal forgot the pictures where hidden there apparently. Wish I could remember the case but it was either on AMW or Cold Case Files on A & E.

This is the case. Sad to say he never served a day for her murder, because of Double Jeopardy. He did served some time though.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/01/25/48hours/murder/main325643.shtml


CBS) There is no mystery about who killed Brenda Shaefer. Everyone in Louisville, Ky. knows that Mel Ignatow did it.

The mystery is why Ignatow is still a free man. It’s a question that has consumed writer Bob Hill.

“The guy got away with murder, absolutely got away with murder, and 13 years later, he’s still walking around getting away with murder,” says Hill. A newspaper columnist for 26 years, Hill was so enraged by the murder that he wrote a book about it: “Double Jeopardy.”



CBS
Buy "Double Jeopardy," or other Bob Hill books

As Erin Moriarity reports for 48 Hours, the story started on Sept. 24, 1988, when 36-year-old Brenda Schaefer disappeared. Her car was found abandoned the next day less than half a mile from where she lived with her mom and dad.

“I don’t think our mother believed it, but we knew she was dead right away,” says her brother, Mike about himself and his brother, Tom. Brenda’s best friend, Joyce Basham, also feared the worst.

Before she disappeared, Brenda had confided to Basham that she was going to break off the relationship with Ignatow, her boyfriend, and return all the jewelry he had given her.

Ignatow claimed he had last seen Brenda at 11 the night before, when she left his house to drive home. But the family didn’t buy the story and went to the Jefferson County police. Detective Jim Wesley was in charge of the Violent Crimes unit.

Wesley’s suspicions were aroused as soon as he met Ignatow “He was calling me ‘Jim’ and he was calling me ‘Jim,’ like ‘you’re my buddy, Jim,’ and I’m saying to myself, ‘I’m not this man’s buddy and this man has done something,’ ” Wesley recalls.

Ignatow was the image of success. He drove a Corvette, owned a 32-foot pleasure boat and lived in an affluent part of town.

“He was a work of art,” Mike Schaefer says of Ignatow. “I tell you , this guy told such outlandish lies and stories to impress people. And no one believed him.”

According to police, Ignatow fit the profile of what is called a criminal sexual sadist, someone who is aroused by the suffering of another.

At the time of Brenda’s disappearance, Roy Hazelwood was an investigator with the FBI’s Behavioral Scienes Unit and a leading authority on sexually deviant criminals. Louisville authorities called in Hazelwood for help in better understanding their lead suspect.

“You don’t break up with someone like Mel Ignatow,” Hazelwood says. “Mel Ignatow breaks up with you, but you don’t break up with Mel. And I think he made up his mind to kill her and so he decided to make it as enjoyable as possible to him, in the way he killed her.”

Without a body, police had only suspicions. After nine or 10 months, Ignatow seemed to be flaunting the fact that he was untouchable – never shying away from the cameras that followed him.

U.S. Attorney Scott Cox devised a plan - to use Ignatow’s own thirst for positive publicity against him. Cox asked Ignatow to voluntarily testify before a Federal Grand Jury to clear his name. And Ignatow went for the bait, fully aware that if he slipped, authorities could use any incriminating statements against him.

“He volunteered to testify before a Grand Jury, which is just nuts,” says author Hill. But the move came as no surprise to FBI behavioral expert Hazelwood.

“I call narcissism the Achilles Heel of the sexual offender,” he says. “They think they are so superior to society in general and law enforcement in particular that, yeah, I know they are going to be attracted to me, but that’s going to be kind of exciting.”

In his testimony, Ignatow mentioned an old girlfriend named Mary Ann Shore. Police began to question Shore and called her in to testify before the Grand Jury. Shore testified that she’d seen Brenda Schaefer one time, but when asked about Brenda's looks, Shore said, “You mean the last time I saw her?” When the discrepancy

[Claudia]

At the time I don't think I even realized the "implication." :blondblush113268230 At any rate, "didn't last long" meaning a few phone calls, a couple of get-togethers. He's got better sense now. A LOT better sense.

Tell me exactly how you knocked the good sense into him so I can do the same with my son & spare myself some stress! :71541:

[SavannahStar]

This is the case. Sad to say he never served a day for her murder, because of Double Jeopardy. He did served some time though.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/01/25/48hours/murder/main325643.shtml


CBS) There is no mystery about who killed Brenda Shaefer. Everyone in Louisville, Ky. knows that Mel Ignatow did it.

The mystery is why Ignatow is still a free man. It’s a question that has consumed writer Bob Hill.

“The guy got away with murder, absolutely got away with murder, and 13 years later, he’s still walking around getting away with murder,” says Hill. A newspaper columnist for 26 years, Hill was so enraged by the murder that he wrote a book about it: “Double Jeopardy.”



CBS
Buy "Double Jeopardy," or other Bob Hill books

As Erin Moriarity reports for 48 Hours, the story started on Sept. 24, 1988, when 36-year-old Brenda Schaefer disappeared. Her car was found abandoned the next day less than half a mile from where she lived with her mom and dad.

“I don’t think our mother believed it, but we knew she was dead right away,” says her brother, Mike about himself and his brother, Tom. Brenda’s best friend, Joyce Basham, also feared the worst.

Before she disappeared, Brenda had confided to Basham that she was going to break off the relationship with Ignatow, her boyfriend, and return all the jewelry he had given her.

Ignatow claimed he had last seen Brenda at 11 the night before, when she left his house to drive home. But the family didn’t buy the story and went to the Jefferson County police. Detective Jim Wesley was in charge of the Violent Crimes unit.

Wesley’s suspicions were aroused as soon as he met Ignatow “He was calling me ‘Jim’ and he was calling me ‘Jim,’ like ‘you’re my buddy, Jim,’ and I’m saying to myself, ‘I’m not this man’s buddy and this man has done something,’ ” Wesley recalls.

Ignatow was the image of success. He drove a Corvette, owned a 32-foot pleasure boat and lived in an affluent part of town.

“He was a work of art,” Mike Schaefer says of Ignatow. “I tell you , this guy told such outlandish lies and stories to impress people. And no one believed him.”

According to police, Ignatow fit the profile of what is called a criminal sexual sadist, someone who is aroused by the suffering of another.

At the time of Brenda’s disappearance, Roy Hazelwood was an investigator with the FBI’s Behavioral Scienes Unit and a leading authority on sexually deviant criminals. Louisville authorities called in Hazelwood for help in better understanding their lead suspect.

“You don’t break up with someone like Mel Ignatow,” Hazelwood says. “Mel Ignatow breaks up with you, but you don’t break up with Mel. And I think he made up his mind to kill her and so he decided to make it as enjoyable as possible to him, in the way he killed her.”

Without a body, police had only suspicions. After nine or 10 months, Ignatow seemed to be flaunting the fact that he was untouchable – never shying away from the cameras that followed him.

U.S. Attorney Scott Cox devised a plan - to use Ignatow’s own thirst for positive publicity against him. Cox asked Ignatow to voluntarily testify before a Federal Grand Jury to clear his name. And Ignatow went for the bait, fully aware that if he slipped, authorities could use any incriminating statements against him.

“He volunteered to testify before a Grand Jury, which is just nuts,” says author Hill. But the move came as no surprise to FBI behavioral expert Hazelwood.

“I call narcissism the Achilles Heel of the sexual offender,” he says. “They think they are so superior to society in general and law enforcement in particular that, yeah, I know they are going to be attracted to me, but that’s going to be kind of exciting.”

In his testimony, Ignatow mentioned an old girlfriend named Mary Ann Shore. Police began to question Shore and called her in to testify before the Grand Jury. Shore testified that she’d seen Brenda Schaefer one time, but when asked about Brenda's looks, Shore said, “You mean the last time I saw her?” When the discrepancy

OMG I will NEVER forget that case! Yep, saw it on TV......TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SavannahStar]

Tell me exactly how you knocked the good sense into him so I can do the same with my son & spare myself some stress! :71541:

My son's 23 now. Just be patient and hope that all your hard work pays off eventually. Whew I wouldn't want to relive those years for all the tea in China....middle school through high school. THE worst! But we all get through them....keep the faith! :1222423:

[5boxersmom]

My son's 23 now. Just be patient and hope that all your hard work pays off eventually. Whew I wouldn't want to relive those years for all the tea in China....middle school through high school. THE worst! But we all get through them....keep the faith! :1222423:


You and me both. Those were the terrible years. My sister is just getting ready to start them with her son. :1222423: A rose for my sister.

[5boxersmom]

OMG I will NEVER forget that case! Yep, saw it on TV......TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My husband's family lives in Louisville. We followed this case. Then I read the book. That man and woman involved are disgusting. I wonder where he is today? :hide:

[Claudia]

You and me both. Those were the terrible years. My sister is just getting ready to start them with her son. :1222423: A rose for my sister.

What about me? I could use a rose about now, too! My son will be 13 in two months! I probably need the whole damn bouquet! :francis:

[SavannahStar]

what about me? I could use a rose about now, too! My son will be 13 in two months! I probably need the whole damn bouquet! :francis:

:1222423: :1222423: :1222423: :1222423: :1222423: :1222423:

:0012:

[5boxersmom]

What about me? I could use a rose about now, too! My son will be 13 in two months! I probably need the whole damn bouquet! :francis:

Here you go sweetie. :1222423::1222423::1222423::1222423::1222423:

We will be here for ya.:happy0158:

[lost indie]

Can anyone tell me for sure what Jaques did for a living? I still want to know where he got the money for that nice house.

I am still convinced that Breckenridge is real and there is a cover-up.

[5boxersmom]

Can anyone tell me for sure what Jaques did for a living? I still want to know where he got the money for that nice house.

I am still convinced that Breckenridge is real and there is a cover-up.

He worked at Thermadyne in NH.

I think it is awful quite from the area and media. It is hard telling who all is involved.

[Baranis]

Can anyone tell me for sure what Jaques did for a living? I still want to know where he got the money for that nice house.

I am still convinced that Breckenridge is real and there is a cover-up.

From a Fox News article, last paragraph.
"Dingledine said Jacques has a full-time job as an operations manager for a company in West Lebanon, N.H., owns his home and a rental property next door, has strong family ties and a family that depends on his income."

to add:public defender L. Brooke Dingledine.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,373903,00.html

[lost indie]

He worked at Thermadyne in NH.

I think it is awful quite from the area and media. It is hard telling who all is involved.

Alrighty..

is this it?

http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_6vq4vd

2 employees?

[5boxersmom]

Alrighty..

is this it?

http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_6vq4vd

2 employees?

This is the site I saw.

http://www.thermadyne.com/

[Claudia]

:1222423: :1222423: :1222423: :1222423: :1222423: :1222423:

:0012:

Here you go sweetie. :1222423::1222423::1222423::1222423::1222423:

We will be here for ya.:happy0158:

Thank you!!! :11_2_104:

[lost indie]

From a Fox News article, last paragraph.
"Dingledine said Jacques has a full-time job as an operations manager for a company in West Lebanon, N.H., owns his home and a rental property next door, has strong family ties and a family that depends on his income."

to add:public defender L. Brooke Dingledine.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,373903,00.html

Jacques is a registered sex offender. He was convicted in 1993 of kidnapping and raping a woman he supervised at a fast food restaurant. Citing statements from another underage girl, prosecutors claim in an affidavit that Jacques tricked Brooke into thinking she was going to a party and instead took her to his Randolph home to initiate her into a child sex ring on the day she disappeared.

So....

he goes from fast food manager..

to prison...

to the operations manager of a company....

Wonder how he did that???

:smiley_aasg::smiley_aasg::smiley_aasg:

[Baranis]

Lost indie, did ya see the name of the public defender? How weird is that?

[lost indie]

Lost indie, did ya see the name of the public defender? How weird is that?

:67302:

I can't believe I missed it...

:67302:

thanks for pointing it out...

Think it's a woman?

:67302:

ETA...it is a woman..

http://pview.findlaw.com/view/1580225_1

[Claudia]

Jacques is a registered sex offender. He was convicted in 1993 of kidnapping and raping a woman he supervised at a fast food restaurant. Citing statements from another underage girl, prosecutors claim in an affidavit that Jacques tricked Brooke into thinking she was going to a party and instead took her to his Randolph home to initiate her into a child sex ring on the day she disappeared.

So....

he goes from fast food manager..

to prison...

to the operations manager of a company....

Wonder how he did that???

:smiley_aasg::smiley_aasg::smiley_aasg:

Yeah, strange. I thought his job sounded a bit too prestigious for someone like him. :rolleye0001:

[lost indie]

Yeah, strange. I thought his job sounded a bit too prestigious for someone like him. :rolleye0001:

That is exactly why I am hung up on the Breckenridge angle. I hear there is good money in pedophile rings.

So say there is only a few people physically involved...

they make videos and sell them on the internet. I am sure that pedophiles are excellent at covering their tracks. Wonder if Brook starred in a snuff film.

[lost indie]

I wonder how she ended up with Jaques...

:groan:

[lost indie]

Yeah, strange. I thought his job sounded a bit too prestigious for someone like him. :rolleye0001:

He looked more the single wide trailer type to me.

I was

http://bestsmileys.com/surprised/1.gif

when I saw that house and property.

Something is fishy....

[SavannahStar]

lost indie, did ya see the name of the public defender? How weird is that?

:67302:

[Claudia]

He looked more the single wide trailer type to me.

I was

http://bestsmileys.com/surprised/1.gif

when I saw that house and property.

Something is fishy....

My thoughts exactly!

[5boxersmom]

Wasn't there a Fl. Pediatrician involved some how with Joseph Duncan?

[5boxersmom]

Denise Jacques


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee69/5boxersmom/bilde.jpg

[Baranis]

Denise Jacques


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee69/5boxersmom/bilde.jpg

Also in the article where the pic is located, Jacques has an appointed atty.
His name is Michael Desautels.[7th paragrapgh]
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/NEWS01/80707017/1001/NEWS

ETA, he is a Federal Public Defender.
http://www.kansascity.com/449/story/689184.html

[awakening2lite]

That is exactly why I am hung up on the Breckenridge angle. I hear there is good money in pedophile rings.

So say there is only a few people physically involved...

they make videos and sell them on the internet. I am sure that pedophiles are excellent at covering their tracks. <snip> film.

Hi lost indie,
I don't want to the think it, but I am in agreement with you on this. I think this is a much bigger story that what we have been told.

I'd like to know how he became qualified to be an operations manager in the first place.
In the second place, I'd like to know if it's so hard to find people with Jacques qualifications that they will knowingly hire a violent offender to supervise others.
Third, were there any women who he directly supervised?

[Claudia]

Hi lost indie,
I don't want to the think it, but I am in agreement with you on this. I think this is a much bigger story that what we have been told.

I'd like to know how he became qualified to be an operations manager in the first place.
In the second place, I'd like to know if it's so hard to find people with Jacques qualifications that they will knowingly hire a violent offender to supervise others.
Third, were there any women who he directly supervised?

Excellent question - hadn't thought about that.

[5boxersmom]

Maybe he got training or a degree in prison.

[Baranis]

Bill O, Fox News, on now. He is going to BLAST Vermont about their child abuse laws.

[Polonius]

That is exactly why I am hung up on the Breckenridge angle. I hear there is good money in pedophile rings.

So say there is only a few people physically involved...

they make videos and sell them on the internet. I am sure that pedophiles are excellent at covering their tracks. Wonder if Brook starred in a snuff film.

Oh, Lord, I hadn't thought of that.

[Faith]

Community prepares for funeral of Brooke Bennett

(John Moroney, NECN) - Funeral services will held Wednesday in Vermont for 12-year-old Brooke Bennett. Her body was found last Thursday in a shallow grave not far from her uncle's home. On Tuesday hundreds came out to pay their respects.

Still in shock friends, family and strangers gathered at Union high school Tuesday for the wake of Brooke Bennett: the 12-year-old Vermont girl who was found dead one week after she went missing.

The people of Randolph, Vermont are expected to turn out Wednesday at the high school for Bennett's funeral - just as they did on the same night her body was found in a shallow grave - praying for answers in the wake of the gruesome crime.

Michael Jacques - the young girl's uncle - was in federal court Monday - at that time Brooke Bennett's death was ruled a homicide. The 42-year-old defendant is accused of abducting the youngster in an attempt to induct her into an alleged sex ring. he has yet to be charged with murder, but Jacques does faces a federal kidnapping charge ... which could result in the death penalty.

The other defendant in the case: Ray Gagnon: Bennett's former stepfather: was arraigned in federal court Monday as well. he's accused of obstruction of justice during the probe into Bennett's initial disappearance two weeks ago.

NECN’s John Moroney has more.

http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/Community-prepares-for-funeral-of-Brooke-Bennett/1215567941.html


http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll116/helpfindthemissing/video-1.jpg (http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/Community-prepares-for-funeral-of-Brooke-Bennett/1215567941.html)

:cray:

[annalyzer]

That is exactly why I am hung up on the Breckenridge angle. I hear there is good money in pedophile rings.

So say there is only a few people physically involved...

they make videos and sell them on the internet. I am sure that pedophiles are excellent at covering their tracks. Wonder if Brook starred in a snuff film.


I've thought of that possibility also. :girl_sad:

[KittyMom]

I can't believe the media hasn't camped out in VT with this case. I think there has to be more to this case.

[Faith]

Victims come first

July 9, 2008

The violent death of Brooke Bennett amid horrific circumstances has jolted the justice system in Vermont. High-profile cases tend to do that.

And just as inevitably, it has renewed the debate over mandatory minimum sentences. Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie has suggested the state look again at the so-called "Jessica's Law" and Rutland City Treasurer Wendy Wilton, a former state senator, has urged a petition drive to pass such a law.

But aside from the deserved public outrage over it, Bennett's death is a poor example for Dubie and Wilton to make their case.

The sole suspect in Bennett's disappearance and death is her uncle, Michael Jacques; her former stepfather, Michael Gagnon is accused of obstruction of justice.

Much has been made of Jacques' previous history, but there's nothing there that would have made him liable to a "Jessica's Law"-type statute, which originated in Florida as a 25-year mandatory sentence for sexual offenses against a minor.

Jacques was convicted of kidnapping and rape in 1993, but the case involved an adult victim, so "Jessica's Law" would not have applied anyway.

WCAX recently reported that Jacques also was arrested in 1985 but not convicted on charges that he repeatedly sexually molested an underage female relative. Obviously, without a conviction, there's no minimum sentence, but the fact the charges were dropped goes exactly to the concern that prosecutors and victims' advocates have with mandatory minimums, which is that they make it harder, not easier, to put perverts behind bars where they belong.

This is particularly true in cases where the victim and perpetrator are related. It's hard enough to get a young child to come forward with a complaint against a family member. It's harder to get that victim to agree to repeat the testimony in a court, and can be tremendously destructive for the victim. When the only options are 25 years in jail or total exoneration — think O.J. Simpson — those charged are far more likely to fight the case and often will walk away, free to live in open society without even the need to report to a parole officer.

In such cases, a plea bargain for 10 years with no chance of early release and no risk of a trial often makes more sense than hoping for a longer conviction.

One of the great leaps forward in sexual assault law is the practice of removing the onus on the complainant, so the prosecuting attorney becomes the plaintiff as the case goes forward to trial. That's particularly important in cases involving family members. Think about the alleged victim in such a case: Not only do they need to find the courage to come forward, they then have to live through a family crisis. Often they feel to blame for the crisis, when really it's the molester at fault. Adult rape victims frequently are happy to accept a plea bargain to avoid the need to testify a second time. Why pass a law likely to force children to go through that ordeal?

Short sentences for child molesters usually come from one of two factors: Either the state's case is very weak, so prosecutors fear losing and letting a molester go scot-free, or it is what is called a "Romeo and Juliet" case involving consensual sex between minors. That's why most "Jessica's Laws" include exemptions for cases involving minors. Some, targeted at the rare — although terrifying — cases of anonymous sexual predators, mistakenly exempt family members.

But in a case as horrific as the current one, the minimum sentence should not be at issue.

Let's be very clear: If Jacques is convicted of the kidnapping, rape and murder of his niece as outlined in the affidavit on the kidnapping charge, 25 years is nowhere near a sufficient sentence.

Rather than institute an inflexible and sometimes overlong mandatory minimum sentence, the state should start by reviewing its overreliance on treatment programs that may or may not work when determining the fate of violent or repeat offenders.

It should look at programs like GPS tracking of paroled offenders — in a test program, Florida cut the recidivism rate from 12 percent to 3 percent almost immediately.

It should ensure victims and their proxies have the right to be heard clearly at sentencing and parole hearings. The Legislature must hold judges accountable if they fail to do so.

Vermont should ensure that the process is as transparent to the public as possible so the community, particularly abuse survivors and their loved ones, can see justice is done.

And most crucially, it should ensure that the victim's rights are paramount at every step of the process, from investigation through punishment and, where appropriate, eventual release of the convicted. That includes respecting Brooke Bennett as a little girl whose innocence and life were both snatched from her, and not using her memory to score cheap political points.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/NEWS/807090319/1018/OPINION

[LiveLaughLuv]

FOXNEWS.COM HOME > U.S.

New Details of Uncle's Arrest Record Emerge in Vermont Death Case
Friday, July 04, 2008

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Prosecutors on Thursday filed federal kidnapping charges that carry the death penalty against a man whose niece was found buried near his home after being missing for a week as new details emerged about the uncle's arrest record.

Officials said they've found no new evidence of a wider child sex ring beyond an underage girl's claim to them that she was in it and 12-year-old Brooke Bennett was to be initiated into it the day she disappeared.

Click here for photos.

Pal in Case of Vermont Girl Regrets Involvement

"There's nothing from this investigation that's been turned up, nor otherwise are federal and state authorities aware of, any ongoing efforts to recruit young girls or boys here in Vermont to have sex with adults," Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell said at a joint news conference with federal prosecutors.

Depending on how Brooke died, prosecutors said her uncle, Michael Jacques, 42, could face the death penalty under the federal kidnapping law.

U.S. Attorney Tom Anderson said the 2006 Adam Walsh law — named for another abducted child — allowed federal prosecution of such crimes when they are facilitated by the Internet.


The Search for Brooke Bennett Asked whether he will seek the death penalty, Anderson said: "That determination will be made after the investigation is completed, after the case is presented to a grand jury and ultimately that decision is made by the attorney general of the United States of America."

Jacques' lawyer, federal public defender Michael Desautels, did not return calls Thursday.

This is not the first time Jacques has been in trouble. In 1993, he was sentenced to six to 20 years in prison after being convicted of kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old woman he supervised at a Rutland restaurant, court records show.

He successfully completed the state's sex offender treatment program in 2000 and was released from probation in 2006.

The prosecutors said they did not yet have Brooke's autopsy results, and both said much remains to be done.

The investigation began June 25 when Brooke, who lived with her mother in Braintree, disappeared after last being seen in nearby Randolph. The bucolic town of about 5,000 is the business center for rural Orange County and is about 60 miles south of Burlington.

Most of what authorities have said about the investigation is in FBI affidavits supporting the charges against Jacques and against Raymond Gagnon, 40, who is charged with obstructing justice. But the affidavits are gripping. Among the allegations within them:

The Sex Ring

— A 14-year-old girl told police that when she was 9, she was put into a "program for sex" called Breckenridge, that a male relative of hers was to be her "trainer," and that she would be killed if she didn't cooperate. Authorities say the regular assaults continued until a few weeks ago.

— She told authorities that Brooke was to be inducted into the ring on the day she disappeared. E-mails released by investigators indicated the 14-year-old said she would participate in a plan, in the works for at least several days before Brooke vanished, for "the take-down and the tie-up (that) morning."

— Gagnon had sex with the 14-year-old last year and admitted having large amounts of child pornography on his computer, including images of the 14-year-old having sex with a boyfriend. Gagnon, of San Antonio, is Brooke's former stepfather. His lawyer, John Pacht, did not return a call Friday seeking comment on the allegations.

— The affidavits detail sex acts involving bondage and spanking. Jacques is described as having ordered more than $1,000 worth of sexual aids from a Web site, including a machine designed to simulate intercourse. Authorities said Thursday they still weren't sure whether there was a sex ring or it was a ruse Jacques allegedly used to intimidate the girls.

Brooke's Death

Without autopsy results, authorities won't comment on what caused Brooke's death. It thus remains unknown what happened between June 25, when Jacques allegedly took her to his house, and when her body was moved to a shallow grave along a dirt road about a mile away. The body was found Wednesday.

Authorities expressed doubt that state murder charges would be filed anytime soon, saying that the federal prosecution for kidnapping with death resulting might suffice.

Deceiving the Girls

— Authorities said the girls were deceived in several ways. The 14-year-old was led to believe she was getting e-mails from at least three different people about her participation in Breckenridge, when all originated from computers either at Jacques' home or workplace.

— Jacques and the 14-year-old told Brooke the morning of June 25 that she was going to a party
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,376383,00.html

[LiveLaughLuv]

http://www.wptz.com/video/16763278/index.html

Man from Thermadyne speaks out about Jaques and his role as am employee.

[Leanne]

http://www.wptz.com/video/16763278/index.html

Man from Thermadyne speaks out about Jaques and his role as am employee.

LLL, can you summarise for me what he said please. All of a sudden I'm not getting sound on my computer and I have no clue what the hell could be wrong.

[awakening2lite]

Bill O, Fox News, on now. He is going to BLAST Vermont about their child abuse laws.

Bill O did a really good job of holding their feet to the fire on their child sexual predators laws. He even caught one official on video lying! Shame on Vt, climb out of the dark ages and realize child sexual predators cannot be cured!

[awakening2lite]

http://www.wptz.com/video/16763278/index.html

Man from Thermadyne speaks out about Jaques and his role as am employee.

What Leanne said, and I can't get the video to load.

Thanks LLL, in advance.

[Happy2bme]

Hi everyone. I have been away for the holiday's since last Fri and got back yesterday to see that insessions is down.

I see it is gonna be awhile before we know the results of BB's autopsy?

Hope all of you had a great 4th.

[Leanne]

Bill O did a really good job of holding their feet to the fire on their child sexual predators laws. He even caught one official on video lying! Shame on Vt, climb out of the dark ages and realize child sexual predators cannot be cured!

He did do a good job. We will be hearing a lot more from him on this subject I'd imagine. He seems to have had a bit of a change of heart about victims of sexual abuse after the insensitive and inappropriate, imo, things he said about Shawn Hornbeck.

[LiveLaughLuv]

LLL, can you summarise for me what he said please. All of a sudden I'm not getting sound on my computer and I have no clue what the hell could be wrong.


Sure.

Basically he's saying when he was hired, on his application he did not say he had a record. They never knew about his criminal past due to not doing any background checks, that has since changed, a couple of months ago. He was employed since march 2007, his most recent position was a project improvement manager, essentially a project manager.

[Audie]

Does anyone know of any other affidavits besides the 10 page Gagnon and the 3 page Jacques?

[mrsmcgoo]

Snipped from Livlaughluv's post:

— Authorities said the girls were deceived in several ways. The 14-year-old was led to believe she was getting e-mails from at least three different people about her participation in Breckenridge, when all originated from computers either at Jacques' home or workplace.


Was that a slip by LE? Were more girls recieving emails?

:madranting94dp:

[LiveLaughLuv]

Snipped from Livlaughluv's post:

— Authorities said the girls were deceived in several ways. The 14-year-old was led to believe she was getting e-mails from at least three different people about her participation in Breckenridge, when all originated from computers either at Jacques' home or workplace.


Was that a slip by LE? Were more girls recieving emails?

:madranting94dp:

No. I think Jaques was trying to make them think there were others involved when all the emails came from him, between his home and work under different names.

They do not think there is any Breckenridge sex ring, it's all a figment of his imagination to intimidate those kids or to make them think it's something huge.

[SavannahStar]

Does anyone know of any other affidavits besides the 10 page Gagnon and the 3 page Jacques?

I know of 3 affidavits, not 2.

[SavannahStar]

No. I think Jaques was trying to make them think there were others involved when all the emails came from him, between his home and work under different names.

They do not think there is any Breckenridge sex ring, it's all a figment of his imagination to intimidate those kids or to make them think it's something huge.

ITA, LLL! I don't think there is ANY "Breckenridge" except in the deviant mind of Jacques!!!!

[mrsmcgoo]

No. I think Jaques was trying to make them think there were others involved when all the emails came from him, between his home and work under different names.

They do not think there is any Breckenridge sex ring, it's all a figment of his imagination to intimidate those kids or to make them think it's something huge.


Hi LiveLaughLuv, I was meaning more girls like AR. The LE refers to "girls" as opposed to juvenile 1 or the step daughter. I hope it was just a slip of the tongue and there are not more victims

I agree that Jacques, with the exception of Gagnon, operated alone.

[5boxersmom]

Brooke's Funeral


http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/Hundreds-gather-for-funeral-of-Brooke-Bennett-/1215620724.html

[Audie]

I know of 3 affidavits, not 2.Thanks, star. Do you know where I can read the 3rd one? I've read the Jacques 3 pager and the Gagnon 10 pager.

[SavannahStar]

Thanks, star. Do you know where I can read the 3rd one? I've read the Jacques 3 pager and the Gagnon 10 pager.

Was the Jacques one where it describes his wife finding A.R. (her daughter, his step-daughter) coming out of the shower with the towel on? I think that is the one you are missing.

I don't have them saved on my computer. Unfortunately I depend on the IS links threads for them.......and IS is down right now. I'm sure someone on here might have them though?

[Baranis]

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/assets/pdf/BT11210673.PDF

17 page affidavit. PDF format.

[Happy2bme]

Was the Jacques one where it describes his wife finding A.R. (her daughter, his step-daughter) coming out of the shower with the towel on? I think that is the one you are missing.

I don't have them saved on my computer. Unfortunately I depend on the IS links threads for them.......and IS is down right now. I'm sure someone on here might have them though?

Here is the link. Its 17 pages long



http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080703/NEWS/80703026

[Audie]

Was the Jacques one where it describes his wife finding A.R. (her daughter, his step-daughter) coming out of the shower with the towel on? I think that is the one you are missing.

I don't have them saved on my computer. Unfortunately I depend on the IS links threads for them.......and IS is down right now. I'm sure someone on here might have them though?That is Jacques 3 pager.

Jacque's 3 page affidavit:
http://blackpearl.wcax.com/documents/Jacques_affidavit.pdf

Gagnon's 10 page affidavit:
http://blackpearl.wcax.com/documents/Gagnon_affidavit.pdf

[Audie]

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/assets/pdf/BT11210673.PDF

17 page affidavit. PDF format.Thanks, baranis. I appreciate it.

[awakening2lite]

He did do a good job. We will be hearing a lot more from him on this subject I'd imagine. He seems to have had a bit of a change of heart about victims of sexual abuse after the insensitive and inappropriate, imo, things he said about Shawn Hornbeck.

Yes, he certainly has. I hope he keeps up the good work of asking hard questions of those who think the status quo for protecting children against child sexual predators is good enough.

[Leanne]

Sure.

Basically he's saying when he was hired, on his application he did not say he had a record. They never knew about his criminal past due to not doing any background checks, that has since changed, a couple of months ago. He was employed since march 2007, his most recent position was a project improvement manager, essentially a project manager.

Thanks so much LLL.

[Nova]

Thanks, baranis. I appreciate it.

I was posting on the IS board concerning this case everyday and then "POOOOF" went the boards
I did find a site that has the affidavits and I found a copy of the 17 page affidavit before it was redacted/blacked out. The read was unbelievable and hard to get through.
I also watched an interview with Mark Klass and he had said since his daughter was abducted and murdered there have been many changes concerning legislation/law and the amber alert, etc. ... BUT ... he said even with all the progress made the first deterrent, the best way to try and prevent this sort of crime from happening is the "Family Unit". They are on the front lines everyday and need to be aware of what's happening with their children. I must say I'm absolutely appalled at the mothers of these children, and IMO they completely turned a blind eye to what was going on.
I'll see if I can get the link and post it of the unredacted version of the affidavit.
:frown:

[Audie]

<snip>
I did find a site that has the affidavits and I found a copy of the 17 page affidavit before it was redacted/blacked out. The read was unbelievable and hard to get through.
<snip>
I'll see if I can get the link and post it of the unredacted version of the affidavit.
:frown:Thanks nova. I've been hearing about things said in the affadavits, but I can't find those statements in the affadavits that I have read.

[Nova]

Thanks nova. I've been hearing about things said in the affadavits, but I can't find those statements in the affadavits that I have read.

Audie I sent you a PM with a link to more detailed affidavit. Hopefully that's what you're looking for.
:happy0207:

[Faith]

Brooke's Funeral


http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/Hundreds-gather-for-funeral-of-Brooke-Bennett-/1215620724.html

Thanks Mom-- :1187603408.CR.Mothe

There are several videos-

Bennett brothers show trust, love

(NECN: Randolph, VT) - Nickolas and Cyrus Bennett, the younger brothers of Brooke Bennett of Braintree, Vermont attended the funeral of their older sister this morning.

Brooke's two younger brothers were called up before the crowd.
http://www.necn.com/category/32/12851

:1187603408.CR.Mothe

For Brooke and her family- :1222423:

[Faith]

I posted the affidavit's on a thread of its own so we won't have to search for them.

http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?p=276073#post276073

[Faith]

Offender statistics may have misled

July 10, 2008

I read the study cited at the bottom of the editorial "Sex offender treatment a false cure."

Is it not misleading to present statistics about recidivism for any violent crime, 35 percent of child molesters, and 53 percent of rapists, and not the lower recidivism rate for sexual violence that was presented in this Canadian multisite study: 26 percent. It's really that latter statistic that is of concern to your readers, I believe.

We need to know Vermont statistics as well. A 2003 study in Vermont led by Robert McGrath of the Vermont Department of Corrections shows a 5 percent recidivism rate for those completing a program and a 30 percent rate for those not.

When Vermonters are grieving and angry about the death of Brooke Bennett, pushing to enact a 25-year mandatory minimum for any sex offender, a law, by the way, opposed by national survivor advocacy groups as well as our own Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, it's important to remember that some sex offenders actually are helped to never reoffend in Vermont even if not totally "cured." Of course, I remain terribly worried about the 5 percent that do slip through.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/OPINION02/807100350/1037/OPINION02

[Faith]

Find Recent Articles:

Or click here for stories over 14 days old

Find Businesses:

Letters


What did the Legislature do?

July 10, 2008

What a great headline, "State reviewing probation program." This is like locking the barn door after all the animals have left. If the Legislature cared about our children, we wouldn't be seeing these headlines.

Over the last two years the Legislature did nothing. In 2006, they said elect me and I will work on the following: property and school taxes, heath care, lower taxes, better roads.

Well, what did they do?

I looked and couldn't find much. They wasted a lot of time on issues that didn't amount to much, One of the reasons Brooke Bennett died was because we don't have Jessica's Law, and because of the Vermont Legislature.

So another Vermont child had to die because of this? Sex offenders need to be dealt with, and I hope all Vermonters now push this issue to the top and remember this November who we need to keep out of office. Two come to mind, Bill Lippert and Gaye Symington.

So the next time you see one of your legislators, ask them if they support Jessica's Law. If they don't, maybe you should support someone else. We need this so that Vermont children can be protected. Please join the effort, keep your child safe.

Don Tessier

St Albans

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/OPINION02/807100375/1022/OPINION02

[Happy2bme]

Audie I sent you a PM with a link to more detailed affidavit. Hopefully that's what you're looking for.
:happy0207:

Hi Nova, would you mind sending me a pm of this link also.

[SavannahStar]

Hi Nova, would you mind sending me a pm of this link also.

??? A more detailed affadavit? Can that be posted in the place where the other affadavits are?

[awakening2lite]

Sure.

Basically he's saying when he was hired, on his application he did not say he had a record. They never knew about his criminal past due to not doing any background checks, that has since changed, a couple of months ago. He was employed since march 2007, his most recent position was a project improvement manager, essentially a project manager.

Thanks, LLL.
Now, I'm wondering where he worked before then.

This guy just kept on slipping thru the cracks! Yikes!!!

[awakening2lite]

Offender statistics may have misled

July 10, 2008

I read the study cited at the bottom of the editorial "Sex offender treatment a false cure."

Is it not misleading to present statistics about recidivism for any violent crime, 35 percent of child molesters, and 53 percent of rapists, and not the lower recidivism rate for sexual violence that was presented in this Canadian multisite study: 26 percent. It's really that latter statistic that is of concern to your readers, I believe.

We need to know Vermont statistics as well. A 2003 study in Vermont led by Robert McGrath of the Vermont Department of Corrections shows a 5 percent recidivism rate for those completing a program and a 30 percent rate for those not.

When Vermonters are grieving and angry about the death of Brooke Bennett, pushing to enact a 25-year mandatory minimum for any sex offender, a law, by the way, opposed by national survivor advocacy groups as well as our own Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, it's important to remember that some sex offenders actually are helped to never reoffend in Vermont even if not totally "cured." Of course, I remain terribly worried about the 5 percent that do slip through.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/OPINION02/807100350/1037/OPINION02

I can't help but wonder what the time frame was for the studies.
IMO It's impossible to turn off sexual desire in child molesters. Ya just never hear the supporters of counseling for child sexual predators address that issue. Then all the secrecy. How long before a victim tells? Most never tell. Usually, some outside event takes place and a discovery of the abuse is made and the perverts are arrested. IMO these studies are flawed by their very nature of relying on the pervert to confess and/or the victim to tell.

[awakening2lite]

Audie I sent you a PM with a link to more detailed affidavit. Hopefully that's what you're looking for.
:happy0207:

An affidavit that wasn't redacted? Please send a link to me, too. TIA

[Happy2bme]

An affidavit that wasn't redacted? Please send a link to me, too. TIA


I have looked all over the web for one and can't seem to find it.


I did read on a link I found that MJ's daughter who is younger than BB spoke at the funeral. This is the first I have heard of him having a younger daughter. Of course I haven't been able to read much since last Fri.

[Happy2bme]

I have looked all over the web for one and can't seem to find it.


I did read on a link I found that MJ's daughter who is younger than BB spoke at the funeral. This is the first I have heard of him having a younger daughter. Of course I haven't been able to read much since last Fri.


http://www.necn.com/category/32/12850

Here is a link to the video of MJ's daughter speaking at the funeral, I assume the lady with her is her mother, BB's aunt.

[Happy2bme]

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/NEWS01/80709031



RANDOLPH — More than 1,000 mourners attended the funeral of slain 12-year-old Brooke Bennett of Braintree on Wednesday morning.

They gathered beneath a soaring white tent on the playing field of Randolph Union High School for the solemn event: Music, tears and prayer held sway where, a month ago, the girl played sports with seventh-grade classmates.


Brooke’s disappearance June 25 — and the discovery of her body a week later — led to the arrest of her uncle, Michael Jacques, 42, of Randolph and her former stepfather, Ray Gagnon, 40, of San Antonio.

Jacques faces kidnapping charges. Gagnon has been charged with obstruction of justice. More charges could be filed, and both men are in federal custody.

As police build cases against Jacques and Gagnon, the assemblage of clergy at the funeral appealed to the community’s generosity of spirit.

“Today, let that spirit prevail,” said Tom Harty of Randolph, a pastor at United Church of Christ Churches in Bethel and Randolph Center. “Let our response to this tragedy be measured and considered.”

At Harty’s urging, hundreds of people, including Gov. Jim Douglas and Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, sang the hymn “Be Not Afraid” as Brooke’s extended family took seats in the front row.

“This is a tragedy we cannot begin to comprehend,” Harty said. “We come here to face our grief, to face our anger, our emptiness — and perhaps to release it.

“The legacy of this will be: Never again,” he continued. “We must pledge ourselves to that future. Never again.”

Hundreds of voices intoned the words again, twice: “Never again.”

They sang six verses of the spiritual “We Shall Overcome.” They sang a short refrain throughout a prayer delivered by the Rev. Kathy Eddy of Bethany Church: “May we feel God’s hand on our shoulder; may we feel God’s breath on our face.”

Surrounded by flowers and flanked by the coffin, several displays of photographs showed Brooke, grinning and posing with friends and family. One display sported a SpongeBob-themed border, a favorite cartoon character of Brooke’s.

Before the service, Dalyce White, 3, of Randolph pointed out several pictures to her mother, Kim White, who knelt beside her. Dalyce had enjoyed playing on a trampoline with Brooke.

Courtney Jacques, 9, of Randolph — the daughter of Michael and Denise Jacques — confirmed and elaborated on lighthearted images of her deceased cousin.

“Brooke was a brave and beautiful girl,” she told the crowd. “She always put fun into everything she did. Brooke was such a good person.”
The Rev. George Sweet of the Baptist Fellowship in Randolph said Brooke’s fleeting life, rather than her early death, might offer comfort to her loved ones — and help the community to heal.

“It’s the beauty of the blossoms, not the length of the bloom, that moves us,” he said. “I pray that having been robbed, you will not be further robbed.”

Several speakers alluded to the violent nature of Brooke’s death; of trust abused and betrayed.

Among them, Harty concluded with an appeal for reconciliation and justice.

“We hope that you pray for all involved in this tragedy — and I mean all of those involved,” he said. “It might not feel right at first, but it will, with practice.”

After the final prayer, family members and law enforcement officials escorted Brooke’s coffin to a small, undisclosed cemetery for a private graveside service.

Low clouds gathered, and the congregation dispersed. Some mourned silently; others speculated on how minors had been entrusted to the care of Michael Jacques, a convicted rapist and registered sex offender. Others suggested people feel guilty about not being able to protect a child in their community.

“There has been a sense that the men in the community let us down as protectors, but that’s just how men are,” said Donna Gerstenmaier of Randolph. “I’ve worked with kids my whole life, so I’ve seen Jacques on the (sex-offender) register. People knew what was going on — of course people knew.”

Jennifer Celley of Braintree has baby-sat for the Jacques family.

“He was pretty weird and quiet,” she said of Michael Jacques, “but they seemed like a normal family. I knew he was a sex offender. But the kids loved him.”

Since July 3, a display of 20 books for all ages has greeted visitors to Kimball Public Library on Main Street.

Their subject matter ranges from grief and loss to strategies for protecting youngsters from sexual predators.

A small sign next to the display reads: “Worth thinking about. Worth talking about.”

[Nova]

Hey All :happy0207:
I guess I should be more specific. The copy I found was the 17 page affidavit, I think we've all seen. The one I saw on this board and the IS board had solidly blacked out portions. This one I found does not have the blacked out portions only a few cross outs. Its more specific, in that it lists exactly what restraints MJ ordered over the internet, a few more details concerning Juv. 1 and her encounter with Juv. 2, and of course some more vulgar language, arrrrgghhh.
I don't think I can post it on the affidavit thread because its from another poster on another site, not sure ... so I did PM Happy2bme and Savannah. I would be happy to PM anyone else interested.
I'm a true NEWBIE on this site, so I hope my PM's went through.
Just wanted to add, this case had so much info. coming so quickly, with SO MANY different players, it was hard to keep up. I haven't had time to catch up on all since Sat. on the IS boards, so I think I have ALOT of :INhouseReading04: to do.
Nova

[EG~Always]

Hey All :happy0207:
I guess I should be more specific. The copy I found was the 17 page affidavit, I think we've all seen. The one I saw on this board and the IS board had solidly blacked out portions. This one I found does not have the blacked out portions only a few cross outs. Its more specific, in that it lists exactly what restraints MJ ordered over the internet, a few more details concerning Juv. 1 and her encounter with Juv. 2, and of course some more vulgar language, arrrrgghhh.
I don't think I can post it on the affidavit thread because its from another poster on another site, not sure ... so I did PM Happy2bme and Savannah. I would be happy to PM anyone else interested.
I'm a true NEWBIE on this site, so I hope my PM's went through.
Just wanted to add, this case had so much info. coming so quickly, with SO MANY different players, it was hard to keep up. I haven't had time to catch up on all since Sat. on the IS boards, so I think I have ALOT of :INhouseReading04: to do.
Nova


I would love the link please. :) :hide:

[Nova]

I would love the link please. :) :hide:
Check your PM :happy0207:

[Happy2bme]

I do not have words to describe what i just read. This man is truly a master manipulator. It just makes me ill knowing that ALL those emails where from him to Juv.#1. I do believe he has truly messed this child up even more so now after reading what she had written in the emails. I pray she can get past this.

[EG~Always]

Check your PM :happy0207:

A thousand thanks. I didn't save it from IS and now coudln't get back to it.

[awakening2lite]

Hey All :happy0207:
I guess I should be more specific. The copy I found was the 17 page affidavit, I think we've all seen. The one I saw on this board and the IS board had solidly blacked out portions. This one I found does not have the blacked out portions only a few cross outs. Its more specific, in that it lists exactly what restraints MJ ordered over the internet, a few more details concerning Juv. 1 and her encounter with Juv. 2, and of course some more vulgar language, arrrrgghhh.
I don't think I can post it on the affidavit thread because its from another poster on another site, not sure ... so I did PM Happy2bme and Savannah. I would be happy to PM anyone else interested.
I'm a true NEWBIE on this site, so I hope my PM's went through.
Just wanted to add, this case had so much info. coming so quickly, with SO MANY different players, it was hard to keep up. I haven't had time to catch up on all since Sat. on the IS boards, so I think I have ALOT of :INhouseReading04: to do.
Nova

I'd like to have a link to that, can you send me one in a pm, too?

TIA

[awakening2lite]

I do not have words to describe what i just read. This man is truly a master manipulator. It just makes me ill knowing that ALL those emails where from him to Juv.#1. I do believe he has truly messed this child up even more so now after reading what she had written in the emails. I pray she can get past this.

And it went on from the time she was just 9 years olds to 14. The outrage over this child sexual predator murderer that I feel is terrible. How DARE he carry on for years like that? Mental torture and physical abuse and then the manipulation...
I pray she is give all the help she needs to work through this and won't give up on herself. Who is going to be supportive of her? Her own mother saw the signs and ignored it based on MJ's explanation and she knew he was a convicted predator.

Is she in foster care? Where are the siblings?

I know it sounds harsh, but I hope they are with someone who can and WILL protect them.

[5boxersmom]

After reading this I am sick to my stomach.

Courtney Jacques, 9, of Randolph — the daughter of Michael and Denise Jacques — confirmed and elaborated on lighthearted images of her deceased cousin.


Same age as AR when she got the note under her pillow. :puke::frown:

[Leanne]

After reading this I am sick to my stomach.

Courtney Jacques, 9, of Randolph — the daughter of Michael and Denise Jacques — confirmed and elaborated on lighthearted images of her deceased cousin.


Same age as AR when she got the note under her pillow. :puke::frown:

It would appear that there is no estrangement between Cassandra and Denise which is something I, personally, do not understand.

[5boxersmom]

It would appear that there is no estrangement between Cassandra and Denise which is something I, personally, do not understand.

No, I do not understand either. Why would someone not only marry a SO but have children with them? I just don't get it.

[Leanne]

No, I do not understand either. Why would someone not only marry a SO but have children with them? I just don't get it.

I don't think AR is the only one who needs some heavy duty psychiatric care but her mom and aunt need serious psychiatric intervention together with intensive parenting classes. My heart bleeds for all the children of those individuals - sorry can't bring myself to call them the "m" word. :madranting94dp:

[5boxersmom]

I don't think AR is the only one who needs some heavy duty psychiatric care but her mom and aunt need serious psychiatric intervention together with intensive parenting classes. My heart bleeds for all the children of those individuals - sorry can't bring myself to call them the "m" word. :madranting94dp:

ITA. How many girls did these two women have between them? There is Brooke, Savanna, AR and C. Are there more daughters?

These two perverts hit the jackpot with these two women. :puke:

[Happy2bme]

ITA. How many girls did these two women have between them? There is Brooke, Savanna, AR and C. Are there more daughters?

These two perverts hit the jackpot with these two women. :puke:

C is MJ's biological daughter with BB's aunt.

[Happy2bme]

I bet we find out alot more info. in the next coming weeks. I wish they would hurry up and release the autopsy report.

[5boxersmom]

C is MJ's biological daughter with BB's aunt.

Yes, I know. I was just trying to figure out how many daughters there are.

[5boxersmom]

Search Currently Underway for Ray Gagnon’s Safe

Posted: July 10, 2008 01:26 PM EDT

Updated: July 10, 2008 01:46 PM EDT





Erik Vasys, spokesman for the FBI in San Antonio, Texas, says agents are currently searching a landfill in San Antonio, in hopes of finding a safe that belongs to Ray Gagnon, the former stepfather of Brooke Bennett, the Vermont girl found dead in Randolph, last week.

Gagnon is charged with obstruction of justice for having an acquaintance throw out his laptop computer as authorities were searching for Brooke. He has also been charged in Alabama with possession of child pornography.

In an affidavit, Gagnon admitted to downloading a vast amount of child pornography on the Internet, and that he kept it on his laptop computer and hard drives, which were stored in a safe at his home in Texas.

http://www.fox44.net/Global/story.asp?S=8654872

[Happy2bme]

Search Currently Underway for Ray Gagnon’s Safe

Posted: July 10, 2008 01:26 PM EDT

Updated: July 10, 2008 01:46 PM EDT





Erik Vasys, spokesman for the FBI in San Antonio, Texas, says agents are currently searching a landfill in San Antonio, in hopes of finding a safe that belongs to Ray Gagnon, the former stepfather of Brooke Bennett, the Vermont girl found dead in Randolph, last week.

Gagnon is charged with obstruction of justice for having an acquaintance throw out his laptop computer as authorities were searching for Brooke. He has also been charged in Alabama with possession of child pornography.

In an affidavit, Gagnon admitted to downloading a vast amount of child pornography on the Internet, and that he kept it on his laptop computer and hard drives, which were stored in a safe at his home in Texas.

http://www.fox44.net/Global/story.asp?S=8654872

Why doesn't the guy who got rid of it just tell them where it's at?:g:

[lsmc]

Check your PM :happy0207:

Nova I would also like the link. Thanks

[Battnt]

This part of the article just floors me....:francis:

Jennifer Celley of Braintree has baby-sat for the Jacques family.

“He was pretty weird and quiet,” she said of Michael Jacques, “but they seemed like a normal family. I knew he was a sex offender. But the kids loved him.”


:thud2:

[Happy2bme]

This part of the article just floors me....:francis:

Jennifer Celley of Braintree has baby-sat for the Jacques family.

“He was pretty weird and quiet,” she said of Michael Jacques, “but they seemed like a normal family. I knew he was a sex offender. But the kids loved him.”


:thud2:

Me too. How stupid can you be...:groan:

[Claudia]

This part of the article just floors me....:francis:

Jennifer Celley of Braintree has baby-sat for the Jacques family.

“He was pretty weird and quiet,” she said of Michael Jacques, “but they seemed like a normal family. I knew he was a sex offender. But the kids loved him.”


:thud2:

How old is Jennifer Celley? Is this another adult?

[LiveLaughLuv]

Why doesn't the guy who got rid of it just tell them where it's at?:g:

He did.

It was picked up and dumped with the rest of the garbage at that landfill. They will need to look through tons of rubbish to find it.

[LiveLaughLuv]

This part of the article just floors me....

Jennifer Celley of Braintree has baby-sat for the Jacques family.

“He was pretty weird and quiet,” she said of Michael Jacques, “but they seemed like a normal family. I knew he was a sex offender. But the kids loved him.”


:67302:

All pedophiles seem to have a great rapport with the children, it's what they do. :shrug1:

I guess Vermont is just full of trusting adults or they are too naive to understand the mind of a sexual offender. Not having a SOR, tells me they don't understand diddily squat! :groan:

[Faith]

3 page affidavit
June 30, 2008

http://blackpearl.wcax.com/documents/Jacques_affidavit.pdf

10 page affidavit
July 2, 2008

http://blackpearl.wcax.com/documents/Gagnon_affidavit.pdf

17 page affidavit
July 3, 2008
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/assets/pdf/BT11210673.PDF

All are listed here:

http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?p=276073#post276073

[Faith]

Sex-offender changes needed, but special session unlikely, Douglas says

• July 11, 2008

MONTPELIER -- Gov. Jim Douglas listed numerous statutory changes Thursday that lawmakers ought to consider in the wake of Brooke Bennett's murder -- but said he has no plans to call a special session of the Legislature.

He repeated his call for civil confinement legislation that would allow sex offenders to be held after they have served their sentences if they hadn't completed treatment or were judged to pose a risk. He called for a more detailed sex-offender registry.

He suggested tougher penalties -- the death penalty or chemical castration -- should be up for discussion, too.

Douglas attended Brooke's funeral Wednesday and said he talked with some family members. "I saw how strongly they feel about the need for tougher action against the perpetrators of this kind of crime. I have a responsibility -- we all do as a state -- to make sure we deal with it."

So why not call a special session? a reporter asked.

"If I thought for a minute that the legislative leaders would embrace a serious package of reforms that we have talked about this afternoon, I'd have them here tomorrow," Douglas replied. "Their past action does not give me a lot of confidence that in the aggregate they are prepared to take these steps."

He said he hadn't contacted House or Senate leaders about holding a special session and didn't plan to. Democratic House Speaker Gaye Symington of Jericho is challenging him in the fall gubernatorial election.

"I'm not going to call the Legislature back unless and until there is a complete agreement on a package so it can be handled expeditiously."

A special session prompted by crime is not unprecedented. The May 15, 1981, rape and murder of an Essex Junction schoolgirl led to a special session two months later. That session resulted in a law that allows for life imprisonment of offenders aged 10 or older convicted of murder.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080711/NEWS01/807110318/1007/NEWS02

[Faith]

Douglas calls for reform of sex laws

July 11, 2008

By DANIEL BARLOW Vermont Press Bureau

MONTPELIER — Gov. James Douglas said Thursday the state should consider all the options in reforming its sex offender laws, including chemical castration and reinstating the death penalty.

Douglas, a Republican up for reelection this year, said he would immediately call for a special legislative session if he believed lawmakers would seriously consider a package of possible reforms in how Vermont prosecutes and retains sex offenders.

But he added that he hasn't called for that special session because he believes the Vermont Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, would not consider the reforms he wants on the table.

"If I thought that the Legislature would seriously consider a package of reforms, I would have them here tomorrow," Douglas said at a Montpelier press conference early Thursday afternoon.

Douglas suggested several options he thought should be considered, including Jessica's Law, civil commitment, strengthening the state's sex offender registry, the return of the death penalty to Vermont and chemically castrating sex offenders.

"I think all of those ideas should be on the table," Douglas said. "We need to look at all the options."

Douglas' statements Thursday were probably his most forceful following the death of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett, the subject of the state's first Amber Alert who was found dead in about a week after she went missing.

Her uncle, 42-year-old Michael Jacques, has been charged with her kidnapping and faces the death penalty in federal court if convicted. Jacques, a registered sex offender, allegedly tried to coerce the girl into a child sex ring.

The Vermont Department of Corrections admitted this week that a probation officer argued in favor of Jacques' early release from probation in August 2004. A representative of the department had earlier stated it did not support the early end to his probation for a 1993 conviction for kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 18-year-old female.

Corrections Commissioner Robert Hofmann said Thursday there was confusion over the department's position because it had opposed Jacques' request in March 2003. Douglas has ordered an internal review of why Jacques was allowed off probation early and to determine if further changes to the state's treatment approaches might be needed.

"We made a mistake," Hofmann said. "He obviously should not have been let off probation."

There is doubt that two of Douglas' proposals — civil commitment, which would allow the state to hold offenders after their sentence ended if they are determined to be a threat to society, and Jessica's Law, which imposes a minimum 25 year sentence for sex offenses against children — would not have affected Jacques' case.

Hofmann said he didn't want to speculate if those two proposals would have prevented Jacques from allegedly abusing again and Douglas said Thursday the Bennett tragedy offers an "opportunity for Vermont to have a serious discussion" about sex crimes.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, D-Windham, said Thursday he was surprised Douglas did not reach out to lawmakers if he desired a special legislative session.

He added that he will order the Senate Judiciary Committee to meet at least six times in the coming months to determine why Jacques was allowed off probation early, how his case would be handled differently under current law and if further reforms should be made. He said the committee will have a report on its findings by Nov. 15.

"If Jessica's Law had been in place here in Vermont, it would not have stopped Jacques from abusing his niece," Shumlin said. "We need to be asking what went wrong within the Department of Corrections."

House Speaker Gaye Symington, D-Jericho, who is challenging Douglas in the race for governor, said his assertion that lawmakers are not interested in serious reform is "another example of [him] passing the buck" for the Correction Department's support for ending Jacques' probation.

"He's the Chief Executive Officer of the state and he is blaming a legislative body for a decision that his Department of Corrections made," Symington said. "That just doesn't make any sense."

Symington would not directly address Douglas' suggestions of reinstating the death penalty or allowing for chemical castration, but said if elected she would launch a "thoughtful review" of the state laws regarding sex offenders.

Vermont stopped using the death penalty in 1964 and the Legislature formally repealed the statute in 1989. Jacques may face the death penalty because he is being prosecuted by federal authorities, as his alleged planning of Bennett's kidnapping crossed state lines since it relied on telephone and Internet communication.

"Someone who is put to death instead of being put back on the street is not going to re-offend," Douglas said when asked if he thought the death penalty is a deterrent to crime.

At least six states have chemical castration laws for some sex offenders, with Louisiana most recently approving a law allowing judges to use it as an option in sentencing rapists. For chemical castration, offenders are given regular injections of a drug to reduce their sexual desires.

If Vermont pursued the death penalty or chemical castration options, it would likely face legal challenges, according to Allen Gilbert, executive director of the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. He said both options raise serious constitutional concerns, including that both are deemed as "cruel and unusual punishment."

"I'm not surprised that people are stuck on feelings of vengeance toward a person accused of a horrible crime," Gilbert said. "But these seem to be political responses to vexing problems."

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080711/NEWS04/807110383/1004/NEWS03

[Audie]

Audie I sent you a PM with a link to more detailed affidavit. Hopefully that's what you're looking for.
:happy0207:Thanks, nova. I'll go look now.

[Faith]

Video

http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/Gov-Douglas-Brooke-Bennetts-uncle-mistakenly-released/1215771003.html

Gov. Douglas: Brooke Bennett's uncle mistakenly released from probation

(NECN) - Vermont Governor Jim Douglas said the state department of corrections made a mistake when it recommended that probation be ended for convicted sex offender Michael Jacques.

Jacques has been charged with kidnapping his neice, 12-year-old Brooke Bennett. She was found dead last week.

Some legislators are renewing the push for Jessica's Law in Vermont. One provision is a 25-year minimum sentence for those convicted of sexual assault on young children.

Previous attempts to pass the bill in Vermont have failed. Governor Douglas is also pushing for civil confinement.

Currently in Vermont, people convicted of sexually assaulting children face a minimum sentence of 10-years.
http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/Gov-Douglas-Brooke-Bennetts-uncle-mistakenly-released/1215771003.html


Made a mistake? I say so.... :groan:

[Audie]

Prosecutor: Vermont Girl's Death Was Homicide; Uncle Held Without Bail
Last Edited: Tuesday, 08 Jul 2008, 12:43 AM CDT
Created: Monday, 07 Jul 2008, 11:43 PM CDT

07/07/2008 --

<snip for space>

Prosecutors say Jacques, 42, abducted Brooke on June 25. After a weeklong search, she was found buried about a mile from his home in Randolph, about 50 miles southeast of Burlington.

<snip for space>

I read on the other thread, about Brooke's funeral, that it was open casket. I can't believe they were able to do that.

[SavannahStar]

I read on the other thread, about Brooke's funeral, that it was open casket. I can't believe they were able to do that.

Well at one point it was thought that they were shot in the face....then later wasn't that corrected to shot in the head? It could have been the back of the head, so that would not be visible.

It's been a while...I know I am forgetting some facts in the case.....

[Audie]

I have looked all over the web for one and can't seem to find it.


I did read on a link I found that MJ's daughter who is younger than BB spoke at the funeral. This is the first I have heard of him having a younger daughter. Of course I haven't been able to read much since last Fri.MJ's stepdaughter is 14. Brooke was 12. MJ has another daughter?

[Audie]

http://www.necn.com/category/32/12850

Here is a link to the video of MJ's daughter speaking at the funeral, I assume the lady with her is her mother, BB's aunt.I went to that link and it just showed the Pastor speaking. Maybe they changed videos before I was able go there.

[Audie]

Hey All :happy0207:
I guess I should be more specific. The copy I found was the 17 page affidavit, I think we've all seen. The one I saw on this board and the IS board had solidly blacked out portions. This one I found does not have the blacked out portions only a few cross outs. Its more specific, in that it lists exactly what restraints MJ ordered over the internet, a few more details concerning Juv. 1 and her encounter with Juv. 2, and of course some more vulgar language, arrrrgghhh.
I don't think I can post it on the affidavit thread because its from another poster on another site, not sure ... so I did PM Happy2bme and Savannah. I would be happy to PM anyone else interested.
I'm a true NEWBIE on this site, so I hope my PM's went through.
Just wanted to add, this case had so much info. coming so quickly, with SO MANY different players, it was hard to keep up. I haven't had time to catch up on all since Sat. on the IS boards, so I think I have ALOT of :INhouseReading04: to do.
NovaI got your PM, nova. Thanks (I think). Sick to say the least.

[SavannahStar]

Well at one point it was thought that they were shot in the face....then later wasn't that corrected to shot in the head? It could have been the back of the head, so that would not be visible.

It's been a while...I know I am forgetting some facts in the case.....

Quoting my own post here........

I AM SO SORRY....GOT CONFUSED BETWEEN THIS CASE AND THE CASE OF THE TWO GIRLS IN OKLAHOMA THAT WERE SHOT.

My apologies to all. I feel mortified. :groan:

[Audie]

Well at one point it was thought that they were shot in the face....then later wasn't that corrected to shot in the head? It could have been the back of the head, so that would not be visible.

It's been a while...I know I am forgetting some facts in the case.....Brooke was shot?

eta: Just saw the post above. NP. I thought maybe you were thinking about another case.

[Audie]

This is the story that mentions the open casket.

"Filing past a series of photo collages and the girl's open casket, friends and acquaintances shared condolences with her mother and other family members in an auditorium at Randolph Union High School."

http://www.fox44.net/Global/story.asp?S=8643339

eta: I think I'm about to become a "senior member", lol. 750 posts, right?

[LiveLaughLuv]

Quoting my own post here........

I AM SO SORRY....GOT CONFUSED BETWEEN THIS CASE AND THE CASE OF THE TWO GIRLS IN OKLAHOMA THAT WERE SHOT.

My apologies to all. I feel mortified. :groan:

Don't feel mortified Savannah, I've done that too.

[Claudia]

Quoting my own post here........

I AM SO SORRY....GOT CONFUSED BETWEEN THIS CASE AND THE CASE OF THE TWO GIRLS IN OKLAHOMA THAT WERE SHOT.

My apologies to all. I feel mortified. :groan:

Don't be embarrassed. I can guarantee you 90% of the people on here have done that at one time or another. I know I have! :love0085:

[Happy2bme]

I read on the other thread, about Brooke's funeral, that it was open casket. I can't believe they were able to do that.

She had been missing a week before they found her. If she died the first day wouldn't her body start to decompose? Makes me wonder if she had been kept alive during that week? Makes you wonder if he killed her when all the evidence started coming out about him and Gagnon?

Sorry if this has been discussed before and just can't keep up. :blondblush113268230
I would like to hear your opinions.

[Shotzie]

In the article about chemical castration...Why chemical, why can't they just cut them off..Actually I would like them to do like I had to do to my sheep..You put a strong rubber band on the testicles and then in time they fall off..can't think of a better way to do it..chemical is tooooo easy

[Shotzie]

Whoops, maybe it was the tail we did that too, it was a long time ago, but I still think we did it to the testicles, works for me...

[Audie]

She had been missing a week before they found her. If she died the first day wouldn't her body start to decompose? Makes me wonder if she had been kept alive during that week? Makes you wonder if he killed her when all the evidence started coming out about him and Gagnon?

Sorry if this has been discussed before and just can't keep up. :blondblush113268230
I would like to hear your opinions.I guess that is possible. In the video I saw with the pastor talking, the casket was closed at that point. It looked like they were at the cemetary, though, where the casket would be closed. If it's true about being open, then your idea would make sense.

[Micky_Spill]

Whoops, maybe it was the tail we did that too, it was a long time ago, but I still think we did it to the testicles, works for me...

That is what I was thinking, never have heard of that method used for testicles.

[5boxersmom]

From the article Faith posted. I don't think the problem was they let him off probation. He was molesting AR at this time. The problem is they let him out of prison after his first offense. These perverts need to be kept in prison or given the death penalty. There is no cure.

JMO

[Nova]

Hi Everyone ....
I was trying to stay on top of this case on the IS Boards, but I've lost complete touch, and I'm trying to catch up. I checked another site, but they are "lightyears" ahead of me with new info. It'll take me days and days of :INhouseReading04: to catch up.
I saw this video/slideshow and thought I'd post, however just a warning I found it truly heartbreaking.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/legacy/slideshows/070908funeral/index.html
Hope its OK to post here.

[awakening2lite]

In the article about chemical castration...Why chemical, why can't they just cut them off..Actually I would like them to do like I had to do to my sheep..You put a strong rubber band on the testicles and then in time they fall off..can't think of a better way to do it..chemical is tooooo easy

The chemicals only work if the perverts take them. Chopping them off used to be my first choice but then I learned it does nothing for the anger or violent issues and they can substitute objects for the erection. So, neither of those methods will solve the problem of them re-offending.

IMO they should be permanently jailed, for life, or permanently kept in a mental health facility.

[Leanne]

The chemicals only work if the perverts take them. Chopping them off used to be my first choice but then I learned it does nothing for the anger or violent issues and they can substitute objects for the erection. So, neither of those methods will solve the problem of them re-offending.

IMO they should be permanently jailed, for life, or permanently kept in a mental health facility.

IMO, they should be permanently removed from the face of the earth. Unfortunately, keeping them in prison doesn't stop them from reliving their past heinous deeds and they get off on that. I don't even want them to have the ability to recall what their victims looked like, let alone fantasize about their past behaviours.

[awakening2lite]

IMO, they should be permanently removed from the face of the earth. Unfortunately, keeping them in prison doesn't stop them from reliving their past heinous deeds and they get off on that. I don't even want them to have the ability to recall what their victims looked like, let alone fantasize about their past behaviours.

I hear you, Leanne.

Here's a couple of examples, IMO, of why counseling doesn't work:



EXCERPT
Child Molester Wants Break on Probation
Former Deacon and convicted child molester Stephen Edmonds wants the final year of his probation waived.
Edmonds is also the former president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
In 2002, a 16-year-old boy said Edmonds molested him. Two other boys came forward with similar accusations.
Edmonds pleaded guilty in 2003. He was sentenced to one year in jail and five years probation. Edmonds is also a registered sex offender.
Edmonds served only eight months of his jail sentence.

Thursday, Edmonds and his attorney asked a judge to terminate his probation one year early.
One of Edmonds' victims, 21, attended the hearing and told First Coast News that Edmonds shows no remorse and does not deserve the waiver.

The victim says Edmonds tried to talk to him at a supermarket, two weeks ago.

Edmonds was re-arrested in 2005 for trying to make contact with two victims, a violation of his probation.

The victim's mother says Edmonds has had an attitude of denial from the beginning. It's an attitude she calls "despicable."

source: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/mostpopular/news-article.aspx?storyid=112920&provider=top
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prosecutor: 'This man hunted children'

By DALE VINCENT AND JOHN WHITSON
New Hampshire Union Leader
Friday, Jul. 4, 2008

EXCERPT
MANCHESTER – The man accused this week of molesting two young children and stealing underwear from YMCA lockers was convicted 29 years ago of the knife-point rape of a 16-year-old, according to court records.
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Prosecutor%3A+'This+man+hunt ed+children'&articleId=b54226e7-6761-4d6e-9f19-6cd472fd46c3
-------



As much as it would be wonderful for children if this man actually waited 29 years to harm another child, IMO, it is more than highly doubtful.
There's plenty more just like them, I just posted 2 from a quick google search.

[awakening2lite]

Brooke Bennett case could mean death penalty on federal charges

EXCERPT

Without autopsy results yet, prosecutors said they could not even say that Bennett was murdered. If she was, U.S. Attorney Tom Anderson was asked if he would seek the death penalty.

"That determination would be made after the investigation is completed, after the case is presented to a grand jury and, ultimately, that decision is made by the attorney general of the United States of America," Anderson said.

source: http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Brooke+Bennett+case+could+me an+death+penalty+on+federal+charges&articleId=a2f521ba-1317-4b87-b8fd-96315b690a87

[Polonius]

This part of the article just floors me....:francis:

Jennifer Celley of Braintree has baby-sat for the Jacques family.

“He was pretty weird and quiet,” she said of Michael Jacques, “but they seemed like a normal family. I knew he was a sex offender. But the kids loved him.”

:thud2:

I was floored too. What disconnect!

[CTVreader]

I was floored too. What disconnect!
What article was this in??? I never read that, how stupid can some people be.

[Leanne]

I hear you, Leanne.

Here's a couple of examples, IMO, of why counseling doesn't work:



EXCERPT
Child Molester Wants Break on Probation
Former Deacon and convicted child molester Stephen Edmonds wants the final year of his probation waived.
Edmonds is also the former president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
In 2002, a 16-year-old boy said Edmonds molested him. Two other boys came forward with similar accusations.
Edmonds pleaded guilty in 2003. He was sentenced to one year in jail and five years probation. Edmonds is also a registered sex offender.
Edmonds served only eight months of his jail sentence.

Thursday, Edmonds and his attorney asked a judge to terminate his probation one year early.
One of Edmonds' victims, 21, attended the hearing and told First Coast News that Edmonds shows no remorse and does not deserve the waiver.

The victim says Edmonds tried to talk to him at a supermarket, two weeks ago.

Edmonds was re-arrested in 2005 for trying to make contact with two victims, a violation of his probation.

The victim's mother says Edmonds has had an attitude of denial from the beginning. It's an attitude she calls "despicable."

source: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/mostpopular/news-article.aspx?storyid=112920&provider=top
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prosecutor: 'This man hunted children'

By DALE VINCENT AND JOHN WHITSON
New Hampshire Union Leader
Friday, Jul. 4, 2008

EXCERPT
MANCHESTER – The man accused this week of molesting two young children and stealing underwear from YMCA lockers was convicted 29 years ago of the knife-point rape of a 16-year-old, according to court records.
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Prosecutor%3A+'This+man+hunt ed+children'&articleId=b54226e7-6761-4d6e-9f19-6cd472fd46c3
-------



As much as it would be wonderful for children if this man actually waited 29 years to harm another child, IMO, it is more than highly doubtful.
There's plenty more just like them, I just posted 2 from a quick google search.

Isn't it just sickening that with so many examples of just how impossible it is to rehabilitate these sick bastards, lawmakers will still give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm so sick of this madness continuing year after year.

I wonder what the truth would be if we could find out just how many times these perps offend and are not caught. I think we'd be horrified and I do agree with you that it is highly unlikely the guy referred to above did not commit any other acts in the 29 years.

I wish ever RSO who is out on probation could be given a truth serum to ascertain just what they have been up to. I know, their civil rights - who the hell cares about their rights anway? JMO.:hide:

[Faith]

What article was this in??? I never read that, how stupid can some people be.

I believe you are looking for this article.
Posted here:
http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6297&page=16


Gov. Douglas: Brooke Bennett's uncle mistakenly released from probation
http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/Gov-Douglas-Brooke-Bennetts-uncle-mistakenly-released/1215771003.html

[Faith]

FBI searching landfill in Bennett case
07/12/2008 09:52 AM

SAN ANTONIO, TX. -- FBI investigators are searching a landfill in San Antonio, Texas for a safe that might have belonged to the former stepfather of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett. Authorities say the safe contains child pornography belonging to Raymond Gagnon who was married to Brooke's mother.

Brooke went missing in Vermont back on June 25th, and her body was discovered a week later.

Gagnon, who is from San Antonio, faces obstruction of justice charges in the girl's disappearance, while her uncle, Michael Jacques is charged with her kidnapping.


http://news10now.com/Images/watch_video_txt.gif
FBI investigators are searching a landfill in San Antonio, Texas for a safe that might have belonged to the former stepfather of 12-year-old Brooke Benne

http://news10now.com/content/all_news/119926/fbi-searching-landfill-in-bennett-case/Default.aspx

[Faith]

I HOPE they find that safe!!

That has to be a terrible job.

[5boxersmom]

Brooke Bennett: FBI searches Texas landfill
Missing safe posssibly contains child porn belonging to slain girl’s ex-stepfather
The Associated Press • July 12, 2008

Post a CommentRecommend Print this page E-mail this article
Share this article: Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine What’s this?
SAN ANTONIO — FBI investigators searched a landfill for a safe allegedly belonging to the former stepfather of a 12-year-old Vermont girl whose body was found last week.

Investigators think the safe contains child pornography belonging to Raymond Gagnon, who was married to the mother of Brooke Bennett. Brooke went missing June 25. Her body was found buried in Randolph, Vt., after a weeklong search.


Gagnon, 40, faces obstruction of justice charges in the girl’s disappearance and Michael Jacques, Brooke’s uncle, has been charged with her kidnapping.

Erik Vasys, an FBI spokesman, said investigators have searched for the safe over the past week. Vasys said Thursday was not the first day the landfill had been searched.

“The focus of our assistance is the recovery of hard drives related to the investigation,” Vasys said.

Gagnon rented a room in San Antonio from Kevin Grosenheider, who, according to an affidavit, told authorities he threw the safe into an apartment complex Dumpster near his home at Gagnon’s request.

Grosenheider is quoted in an affidavit as saying he didn’t know what was in the safe “but assumed it was child pornography.” Grosenheider said he only told authorities that he assumed the safe’s contents were something Gagnon didn’t want discovered.

An affidavit in federal court in Vermont says Gagnon acknowledged keeping child pornography in his safe.

Gagnon married Brooke’s mother in 2000, but they later divorced.

Ray Gagnon


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee69/5boxersmom/gagnon.jpg
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080712/NEWS02/80712001

[awakening2lite]

FBI searching landfill in Bennett case
07/12/2008 09:52 AM

SAN ANTONIO, TX. -- FBI investigators are searching a landfill in San Antonio, Texas for a safe that might have belonged to the former stepfather of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett. Authorities say the safe contains child pornography belonging to Raymond Gagnon who was married to Brooke's mother.

Brooke went missing in Vermont back on June 25th, and her body was discovered a week later.

Gagnon, who is from San Antonio, faces obstruction of justice charges in the girl's disappearance, while her uncle, Michael Jacques is charged with her kidnapping.


http://news10now.com/Images/watch_video_txt.gif
FBI investigators are searching a landfill in San Antonio, Texas for a safe that might have belonged to the former stepfather of 12-year-old Brooke Benne

http://news10now.com/content/all_news/119926/fbi-searching-landfill-in-bennett-case/Default.aspx

Maybe they should search properties (owned and rentaled) of Grosenheider for the safe and it's contents.

[awakening2lite]

Parole officer recommended Michael Jacques be released

July 11, 2008

EXCERPT

MONTPELIER — Reversing what it said last week, the state Department of Corrections now says it recommended the release from probation of a convicted sex offender accused of kidnapping 12-year-old Brooke Bennett.

Michael Jacques, 42, was released from probation in 2006, after serving more than four years in prison and being supervised for eight years for kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman in 1992.

Gov. Jim Douglas said Thursday that the Corrections Department's recommendation was a mistake.

"That's why I've asked the corrections commissioner to look at the procedure for making these determinations, making sure there's adequate oversight, and that it's not just one or two people in the department making the recommendation on such an important manner," he said.

source: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080711/NEWS01/807110355/0/FEATURES02

[awakening2lite]

WHEN WILL VERMONT GET TOUGH ON SEXUAL PREDATORS?

Friday, July 11, 2008

EXCERPT

This is a rush transcript from "The O'Reilly Factor," July 8, 2008. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

Watch "The O'Reilly Factor" weeknights at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET and listen to the "Radio Factor!"

BILL O'REILLY, HOST: In the "Factor Follow-up" segment tonight: As we've been reporting, the Vermont justice system is chaos, especially when it comes to sexual predators. The legislature there voted down Jessica's Law, and all across the state violent sex offenders are serving light sentences.

One of those offenders, 42-year-old Michael Jacques, served just four years in prison for raping an 18-year-old woman back in 1993. Well, last week Jacques was arrested, along with another man, on suspicion of raping and murdering 12-year-old Brooke Bennett. Jacques has been charged with kidnapping the young girl, and murder charges are expected.

Now, "The Factor" has pounded Vermont officials for their laxity in protecting the kids. Producer Jesse Watters confronted Vermont House Judiciary Chairman Bill Lippert last year.

continued at source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,381123,00.html

the video is worth watching

[Faith]

[QUOTE=awakening2lite;281436]WHEN WILL VERMONT GET TOUGH ON SEXUAL PREDATORS?

When a top officials loved one is kidnapped by one of these pervs. :1187603408.CR.Mothe

[Faith]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll116/helpfindthemissing/RG-1.jpg
Raymond Gagnon, former stepfather of Brooke Bennett.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080712/NEWS02/80712001

[KittyMom]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll116/helpfindthemissing/RG-1.jpg
Raymond Gagnon, former stepfather of Brooke Bennett.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080712/NEWS02/80712001

Thank you. I don't know why it was so hard to get a photo of this guy. IMO, having his face out there might get potential victims to step forward.

[Faith]

I agree KM. He could have told then his name was something else and by seeing the photo it could bring potential victims forward.

[Leanne]

Thank you. I don't know why it was so hard to get a photo of this guy. IMO, having his face out there might get potential victims to step forward.

My thanks too Faith. Scary how innocuous some of these guys look. Had I come across RG I'd never have given a thought to him being such a perv. MJ, on the other hand, looks like an Aids patient to me and, to be honest, I'd have steered very clear of him. I can understand how Cassandra could have thought RG was a nice guy, on appearances alone let alone young girls who would probably see him as a kindly "uncle" type person.

[chambord]

Fox News is announcing that authorities are searching a landfill in Texas for evidence in this case. Stay tuned.

[Adalena935]

Fox News is announcing that authorities are searching a landfill in Texas for evidence in this case. Stay tuned.

I heard that this morning. I figured they were searching landfills. They know which trucks pick up in which areas and where they dump.

[Adalena935]

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080712/NEWS04/807120353/1004/NEWS03

Federal authorities search dump for Gagnon's laptop

July 12, 2008

Erik Vasys, a spokesman for the FBI's regional office in San Antonio, Texas, said Friday that authorities are searching through trash and other waste at the Allied Waste Services Landfill off of Interstate 10 East.


I hope they find what they're looking for to help solve this case and convict these guys.

[Leanne]

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080712/NEWS04/807120353/1004/NEWS03

Federal authorities search dump for Gagnon's laptop

July 12, 2008

Erik Vasys, a spokesman for the FBI's regional office in San Antonio, Texas, said Friday that authorities are searching through trash and other waste at the Allied Waste Services Landfill off of Interstate 10 East.


I hope they find what they're looking for to help solve this case and convict these guys.

I hope so too. I saw a program a while back where a guy killed his wife and dumped her body in a dumpster at his office. Using some kind of mapping the guy in charge of the landfill worked out where the trash for that area would have been dumped that day and then they used some kind of thermal imaging and identified the husband's company's waste. They did find his wife's body there although they never found the body of his daughter. Hopefully, they will find what they're looking for although I doubt KG threw anything in any dumpster quite honestly.

[Adalena935]

I hope so too. I saw a program a while back where a guy killed his wife and dumped her body in a dumpster at his office. Using some kind of mapping the guy in charge of the landfill worked out where the trash for that area would have been dumped that day and then they used some kind of thermal imaging and identified the husband's company's waste. They did find his wife's body there although they never found the body of his daughter. Hopefully, they will find what they're looking for although I doubt KG threw anything in any dumpster quite honestly.


Hard to imagine such awful people. On this case I've heard others say they didn't think he threw hard drives away. I don't know what to think of it. I'm sure detective investigating is a frustrating job.

Maybe he had the hard drives backed up and that's part of what he was trying to stash at his Alabama home. I'm sure LE will do their best to get all the evidence on these weasels as they can.

[5boxersmom]

Hard to imagine such awful people. On this case I've heard others say they didn't think he threw hard drives away. I don't know what to think of it. I'm sure detective investigating is a frustrating job.

Maybe he had the hard drives backed up and that's part of what he was trying to stash at his Alabama home. I'm sure LE will do their best to get all the evidence on these weasels as they can.


Is there anyway he could have the missing hard drive from MJ's computer? Could he have overnighted it to him?

[awakening2lite]

Is there anyway he could have the missing hard drive from MJ's computer? Could he have overnighted it to him?

IMO, he could have stashed or mailed it anywhere, and I don't rule out him stashing it for himself.

[Leanne]

IMO, he could have stashed or mailed it anywhere, and I don't rule out him stashing it for himself.

ITA. I think it is highly unlikely that a pedophile who has been collecting child porn would just dispose of it.

[mollybrown]

I hope so too. I saw a program a while back where a guy killed his wife and dumped her body in a dumpster at his office. Using some kind of mapping the guy in charge of the landfill worked out where the trash for that area would have been dumped that day and then they used some kind of thermal imaging and identified the husband's company's waste. They did find his wife's body there although they never found the body of his daughter. Hopefully, they will find what they're looking for although I doubt KG threw anything in any dumpster quite honestly.

I remember the Blagg case from Grand Junction CO. They located his wife by doing a search based on the DUMP information, from his job, 7 months after the murders.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/1496443/detail.html

[grammybears]

I hope so too. I saw a program a while back where a guy killed his wife and dumped her body in a dumpster at his office. Using some kind of mapping the guy in charge of the landfill worked out where the trash for that area would have been dumped that day and then they used some kind of thermal imaging and identified the husband's company's waste. They did find his wife's body there although they never found the body of his daughter. Hopefully, they will find what they're looking for although I doubt KG threw anything in any dumpster quite honestly.

I know in Utah Mark Hacking did the same think with his wife Lori's bady. I believe she was dumped into a container up near where he worked at the UofU hospital and he dumped the bloody mattress in a neighborhood dumpster. I hope they find this and punish they guys severly for what they did to this child.

:1222423: For Brooke and her family that loves her.

[Adalena935]

Is there anyway he could have the missing hard drive from MJ's computer? Could he have overnighted it to him?

I suppose it's possible. There would be a record of shipment though. If there is I don't think it will escape the FBI.

[Leanne]

I remember the Blagg case from Grand Junction CO. They located his wife by doing a search based on the DUMP information, from his job, 7 months after the murders.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/1496443/detail.html

That name rings a bell and very well may be the case I'm referring to.

[Faith]

Prosecutor had fought Jacques' probation release

Associated Press Writer / July 13, 2008

MONTPELIER, Vt.—When Michael Jacques came up for early release from probation, a prosecutor didn't think it was a good idea, telling a judge that as a twice-convicted sex offender, Jacques shouldn't go without supervision.

In the 2004 court proceeding, Deputy Orange County State's Attorney Robert DiBartolo told Judge Amy Davenport that Jacques' actions in a 1992 kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault were too brutal to allow him unbridled freedom.

"The only reasons I can glean from Mr. Jacques wanting to be off probation is because it's embarrassing and it's inconvenient to be on probation and he wants closure," DiBartolo said, according to a transcript of the hearing obtained Friday by the Associated Press.

"Those are all understandable, but the fact of the matter is he's a twice convicted sex offender and I think society has the right to have him on probation and to have somebody checking up on him at least once in a while, even if it's just a monthly meeting with a probation officer to find out where he is, what he's doing, to make sure that his life is still stable and is going -- going the way it should go," according to DiBartolo, who alluded to a lewd-and-lascivious conduct charge against Jacques from 1987.

The hearing, which ultimately led to Jacques' release from probation in 2006, has received new attention since Jacques' arrest last week in the case of Brooke Bennett, 12, of Braintree.

Brooke disappeared June 25 and was found dead a week later. She had been killed, though authorities still haven't said how.

Jacques, 42, of Randolph, is charged with kidnapping the girl, who was his niece.

In the Oct. 18, 2004, hearing in Orange District Court, which was on a motion by Jacques' lawyer to release him from probation, Department of Corrections representative Richard Kearney -- who had supervised Jacques -- vouched for him, calling him a rehabilitation success. :madranting94dp:

Jacques, who had served more than four years for the 1992 conviction, completed sex offender treatment and all the other requirements imposed on him as part of probation, Kearney told the judge.

"When I make comments about successes in sex offender treatment, I have three names of which Michael Jacques is one," Kearney said, according to the transcript.

"At this point in time, Mr. Jacques has met all the requirements that the Court has imposed upon him. He's done that -- just hasn't met them, he's far exceeded them. If what we're looking to do is make significant life changes so that this doesn't happen again, Mr. Jacques has made those significant life changes," Kearney said. :madranting94dp:

But it did happen again, according to authorities.

On June 29, before he was charged in Bennett's disappearance, Jacques was charged with aggravated sexual assault in an unrelated case that police learned about while investigating the Bennett matter. Investigators said he molested a girl over a five-year period, beginning when she was 9.

If true, that would mean he was molesting the girl during the period of the probation hearing.

The aggravated sexual assault charge filed by state prosecutors has since been dropped, with federal authorities taking over Jacques' prosecution on the kidnapping count.

In the hearing, Jacques traced his behavior to abuse he'd suffered as a child, although he didn't describe it or name who was responsible.

"So, some of the things that were identified right in the very beginning was my own anger issues surrounding my own, my own abuse and from that stemmed, you know, my ... attitude towards people in generally, actually, but particularly towards women," he told Davenport.

Jacques, his wife, Denise, and Kearney all testified in the hearing, but DiBartolo was the only one who wanted Jacques to remain under supervision of some kind.

"I don't want to diminish the positive steps that Mr. Jacques has taken and the things that he has achieved in his life; that is commendable, but I have a hard time getting over the fact that this was a -- a horrible sexual assault that involved deadly weapons, it was a prolonged sexual assault. At one point, the victim was sure she was going to die and was begging for her life, and we still don't know why this happened all this time later," DiBartolo said.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2008/07/13/prosecutor_had_fought_jacques_probation_release/

:madranting94dp: the judge that released MJ is responsible. IMO Brooke's father should sue.

[Leanne]

So, mother of the year, Denise can never say she wasn't aware of any of MJ's prior doings. She should have had more concern about her children. Never mind the fact that she then went on to have a child with this POS. With odds of 50/50 of having a daughter with a RSO, those odds would, imo, be too high for most rational or sane people to gamble on.

[KittyMom]

Pedos are great con artists...they con the prison system into thinking that they are "cured", they con parents into thinking that they are safe around their kids and they con kids into thinking that the criminal behavior is not the criminal's fault.

[Faith]

Lt. Gov. Dubie Calls for Action in Wake of Bennett Case

Montpelier, Vermont - July 14, 2008

Lt. Governor Brian Dubie will announce actions today to deal with violent crimes by repeat sex offenders.

The issue was highlighted when 12-year-old Brooke Bennett was found murdered. Her uncle Michael Jacques has been charged with her kidnapping. He was convicted in 1992 for kidnapping and raping a teen. He was released from probation seven years early.

In a press release, Dubie did not mention what actions he plans to call for. Two weeks ago he told Channel 3 News Vermont should enact Jessica's Law. That calls for a minimum 25-year sentence for anyone who is convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. Dubie also supports civil confinement for prisoners who fail to complete sex offender treatment can be held past the end of their sentences.
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=8669461

[LiveLaughLuv]

So, mother of the year, Denise can never say she wasn't aware of any of MJ's prior doings. She should have had more concern about her children. Never mind the fact that she then went on to have a child with this POS. With odds of 50/50 of having a daughter with a RSO, those odds would, imo, be too high for most rational or sane people to gamble on.


She was very aware. She said her daughter was not allowed in his home unless another adult was present.

So if this other adult was also a sex offender, that would be okay?

I think she has her head screwed on backwards.

Poor Brooke paid the ultimate price for her mother's stupidity!

[Faith]

Midday Newscast: July 14, 2008

Monday July 14, 2008


Here are the top stories at noon:

Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie wants the governor to call a special legislative session to consider a series of legislative reforms in response to the kidnapping and murder of 12-year old Brooke Bennett;
http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/81306/

[awakening2lite]

Midday Newscast: July 14, 2008

Monday July 14, 2008


Here are the top stories at noon:

Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie wants the governor to call a special legislative session to consider a series of legislative reforms in response to the kidnapping and murder of 12-year old Brooke Bennett;
http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/81306/


It's about time.

Thanks go to the news media who kept up the pressure!

[Baranis]

Raymond Gagnon pic is released.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080713/NEWS01/80712014

Or,
http://cmsimg.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BT&Date=20080713&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=80712014&Ref=AR&MaxW=318&Border=0

[Leanne]

She was very aware. She said her daughter was not allowed in his home unless another adult was present.

So if this other adult was also a sex offender, that would be okay?

I think she has her head screwed on backwards.

Poor Brooke paid the ultimate price for her mother's stupidity!

That was Cassandra, Brooke's mom. I'm talking about AR's mom, Denise. Poor Brooke, not only paid the price for her mom's stupidity but her aunt's as well, as I see things.

[Baranis]

Oops, sorry Faith, I missed your post of the pic of RG. I credit you.

[Faith]

July 16, 2008, 6:46PM
Former stepfather of Vermont girl indicted

SAN ANTONIO — The former stepfather of a 12-year-old Vermont girl found dead earlier this month was indicted Wednesday on child pornography charges.

A grand jury indicted Raymond Gagnon on charges of transporting child pornography in April 2007 and possessing a computer containing child pornography on July 1, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a release.

The San Antonio man is the former stepfather of Brooke Bennett, who went missing June 25 and was found a week later buried in Randolph, Vt.

Gagnon, 40, faces obstruction of justice charges in the girl's disappearance. At a July 7 hearing he did not contest his continued detention on the charges. A lawyer listed for him in court documents did not immediately return an after-hours call Wednesday.

Michael Jacques, Brooke's uncle, has been charged with her kidnapping. No one has been charged in her death.

Gagnon is accused in court records of having someone throw out his laptop computer while authorities were searching for Brooke. Gagnon married Brooke's mother in 2000, but they later divorced.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5891891.html

[Faith]

Bennett family grieves, offers advice to parents
[59 min ago ]
(Anya Huneke, NECN: Randolph, VT) - Jim and Janet Bennett have only just begun the grieving process. For them the past few weeks have been a surreal blur. Janet: "It still feels like I'm dreaming, It feels like i haven't woken up yet, And when i do,...

VIDEO
http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/Bennett-family-grieves-offers-advice-to-parents/1216259460.html

[Faith]

Douglas, Dubie and Symington statements regarding Brooke Bennett case and state's response

July 16, 2008


Official Statement of the Governor on a special session and senate hearings on safe communities legislation

As public servants, our most important responsibility is to protect the most vulnerable among us from harm. Children represent our greatest hope for a better tomorrow and it is heart-wrenching for all of us when we are confronted with cases of abuse – especially sexual abuse against children.

There has been a great deal of talk, finger-pointing and grandstanding in recent days regarding the tragedy of Brooke Bennett’s death. This does nothing to serve Brooke’s memory. This does nothing to address the failures of that particular case and, more importantly, it does nothing to protect children all across our state who deserve to grow up in a safe and loving community.

We must remember that the ultimate responsibility of Brooke’s tragedy lies with the person or persons who ended her life. As a society, our responsibility is to ensure that we do everything possible to prevent future victims.

This isn’t about one community or one case; this is about every child and every community in our state. I will not rest until I can look every parent in the eye with the confidence that we have done everything possible to give parents the tools they need to protect their children.

Last week, I called for an immediate and aggressive internal investigation surrounding a probation officer’s 2004 recommendation that a judge grant Michael Jacques an early discharge from probation. Both the position of the probation officer and decision of the judge in that case couldn’t have been more wrong. I have demanded an overhaul of the department’s policies and practices to ensure that no judge can irresponsibly use the misguided recommendation of a probation officer to release a repeat sex offender from probation.

While that investigation is underway, and until a full report is issued by the Department, I have ordered that under no circumstances will a probation or parole officer or any other individual, department or agency support the early release of any sex offender before they have served their maximum sentence.

Additionally, I have asked Corrections to work closely with Senator Dick Sears and his committee to explore judicial and corrections improvements to protect Vermonters. The department has worked closely with Senator Sears in the past and Vermonters expect that he will conduct his review with the same objectivity and thoughtfulness that have characterized his prior efforts.

In order to effect positive change at every level, we must thoroughly examine judicial decision-making in these types of violent sexual cases to ensure that dangerous sexual predators are never again released before serving their maximum sentence. To that end, I expect the judiciary to conduct a similar review to ensure that missteps are not repeated by judges in future cases.

Now we must look to the future – to steps we can take today to strengthen Vermont’s sex offender laws in every way possible. We must not put off action on those changes we can make immediately. I stand ready to call a special session of the Legislature to pass civil confinement, an expanded sex offender registry and a Vermont-style Jessica’s Law to enhance mandatory minimums. These proposals have already been deliberated at length and do not require additional testimony.

I have reached out to the offices of the Speaker and President Pro Tem to request a meeting with them, the minority leaders and the chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees to urge them to support a one day special session for the sole purpose of considering these proposals. I would ask them to return for one day to give an up or down vote on these important reforms.

In the coming months, my administration will be an active participant in Senator Sears’ hearings and will work with him to advance a comprehensive package of reforms when the Legislature returns in January. I hope the Legislature will join with me in the same spirit of bi-partisanship to take immediate action in a one day special session to pass civil confinement, an expanded sex offender registry and a Jessica’s Law to enhance mandatory minimums.

Children trust adults. That bond is the basis for every healthy successful family and community. When that trust is broken and is used to harm a single child, the fabric of our community is torn. It is our responsibility to join together to take action that reassures the parents, families, and communities that we are doing everything possible to protect Vermont’s children.

James H. Douglas
Governor
July 15, 2008


Statement from Speaker of the House calling for a full investigation of Jacques' early release

The decision by the Douglas administration to release convicted kidnapper and sex offender Michael Jacques from probation seven years early and to leave him without supervision has raised serious questions about whether the Department of Corrections is adequately protecting the public. The Governor has acknowledged the decision was a mistake, but he has not called for a full investigation of the matter. All he has requested is that his commissioner of Corrections “look at the procedure” for making these decisions. This is an unacceptably weak response in light of the tragic consequences of his department’s failure in this case.

With the safety of our children at stake, it is clear that an outside body must to conduct a full investigation of every aspect of this case and our parole system to determine how this failure occurred. Because I do not want my status as a candidate for Governor to be a distraction in this process, I’ve decided not to call the House Judiciary committee back to conduct this investigation. I have spoken with Senate President Peter Shumlin, and understand that he is planning to head in this direction, and will provide details on his plans tomorrow.

I urge my colleagues in the Senate to get to the bottom of this failure without delay. Vermont’s citizens and lawmakers must know exactly what went wrong in enforcing our current laws so the necessary steps can be taken to prevent another tragic failure like this from occurring.

Among the questions that must be answered are:

1) Why did the Department of Corrections argue for setting a convicted sex offender and kidnapper free despite the opposition of prosecutors?
2) Does the Douglas administration have tough enough standards in place for deciding who qualifies for early release from probation?
3) How have the Douglas administration’s job cuts affected the ability of his Corrections department to protect Vermonters?
4) What is the caseload of parole officers, and is that a factor in this case?
5) How many positions in the parole system are unfilled?
6) What other key elements of our laws to prevent sexual violence are not being adequately managed?
7) Have the Special Investigative Units that have been budgeted for been put into action, and if not, why not?
8) What can be done through better management of the Department of Corrections to make sure our children and our communities are safe?

Regarding calls for a special session: if the Governor calls a special session, I will be there. Legislative leaders set the agenda for special sessions, and I want to assure Vermonters that I will demand any special session addresses why our current laws are not being enforced by the Douglas administration before we talk about adding more laws. We must do first things first. It is much more important right now to find out why this convicted sex offender was set free and fix the problems that lead to his early release so that we don’t have a repeat of this failure. I also want to know why the Douglas administration is moving so slowly on appointing special investigators that could play a critical role in solving these cases.

As Governor I would be using this case as an opportunity to remind parents that they need to communicate with their children on a daily basis and be aware of how they are spending their time online and in the community.

Gaye Symington, D-Jericho
Speaker of the House
July 14, 2008


Lt. Governor Dubie log for July 2008

“Never again. Never again.”

Those were the words that Reverend Tom Hardy repeated to those of us who attended Brooke Bennett’s funeral last Wednesday. 12-year-old Brooke was kidnapped on June 25 and found murdered, in Randolph, one week later.

Reverend Hardy said many profound and comforting words the morning of Brooke’s funeral. He told the mourners, “We come here as a gathered community today to say, ‘Never again’. Say it with me. ‘Never again.’ One more time. ‘Never again.’ We come here to pledge ourselves to that reality. We come here as a community, as a state, and as a nation to say, ‘Never again.’”

I have known Reverend Tom for many years; he seemed to look right at the Governor and me when he challenged our state to respond in a just and appropriate way.

I am lucky enough to have a friend who was Brooke’s classmate in school. She tells me Brooke was a special person, one of just 9 members of next year’s eighth grade class.

Her family, her community and our state are in the midst of processing the tragic reality of her abduction and murder. We learned revelations about her accused kidnapper’s record of violent sexual abuse, beginning in the 1980s. Many of the details of Brooke’s final days are still under investigation and will be forthcoming.

How do we respond in the “appropriate way” to Reverend Hardy’s challenging words:

“Never again. Never again”?

First let us vow to unite around one common question: HOW DO WE MAKE VERMONT SAFER FOR OUR CHILDERN?

As a pilot, I have investigated many airplane crashes over the years. When someone dies in a crash, we recover the black box, and pore over every detail of evidence to learn what went wrong, and how we can prevent the same thing from happening again. We owe nothing less to Brooke Bennett, her family, and all the children in our state.

I know that Vermonters from every walk of life feel as I do that we need to act to protect our state’s children from violent predators like those who brought young Brooke Bennett’s young life to such a tragic end.

As Vermont’s Lt Governor, I call for:

A comprehensive review of our criminal justice system. I call for a thorough investigation of Vermont's laws and policies that should protect Vermont’s children from sex offenders.

Adoption of a Jessica’s Law, which would set a 25-year mandatory minimum prison sentence for a first-time convicted child sexual abuser. Our law could be modeled on New Hampshire’s law that includes a “presumptive” clause, for cases where the evidence is weak or the victim chooses not to testify. It allows a judge to impose a lesser term, accompanied by explanation of the decision. We would essentially be strengthening Vermont’s current law, which has a “presumptive” 10-year minimum sentence and a 5-year minimum mandatory sentence.

A mandatory life sentence for a second-time violent sexual offense against a child.

Passage of a civil confinement law that would extend prison stays for certain high-risk offenders who have served their terms, but who by clear criteria are known to be highly likely to re-offend.

Utilizing chemical castration and physical castration treatments for habitual sex offenders

Broadening the criteria for listing child predators on Vermont’s Online Sex Offender Registry, and making it more user-friendly, as it is in other states, and for better monitoring of sex offenders using GPS technology.

Tough penalties for those who harbor a sex offender who violates registration requirements.

Expansion and funding for Special Investigative Units, to improve conviction rates and sentencing.

Adoption of laws that would allow evidence of prior sexual misconduct to be admissible in sex crimes cases, as it is in 12 other states and in federal court.

Collection by law enforcement authorities of DNA samples from anyone arrested in our state that could assist in cracking unsolved sex crimes.

I attended a vigil in Randolph for Brooke Bennett a week after she went missing. Hours earlier, we learned that her body had been found in a shallow grave. As I hugged her grieving mother, I thought, “There's something terribly wrong when an innocent child’s life ends so tragically”.

I met another mother that night. She told me that her child had been sexually assaulted, and that the news of Brooke’s disappearance and death was very painful for her daughter, reviving terrifying memories and opening old wounds. I wondered, “How many others are struggling with old wounds this evening?”.

In just over 39 months in Vermont, 3 young women have been kidnapped, raped, and murdered at the hands of sexual predators. The loss of a single young life is a tragedy; the loss of three in such a short time frame is something we cannot turn away from. We must do a better job in protecting the women and children of our state.

One year ago, in July 2007, during the sentencing of Gerald Montgomery for the murder of Laura Winterbottom, Judge Michael Kupersmith told Montgomery, “You are unfit to live among civilized people”. The question now is: do we have to wait for a sexual predator to take a life before we determine that the predator is unfit to live freely in our communities? Whatever the mechanism or laws we choose to enhance our management of these sexual predators, we should all agree that the loss of 3 lives is more than ample evidence that our system needs immediate change -- before another innocent life is lost.

Today I am launching a statewide citizen petition drive, calling for a criminal justice system-wide review to determine what we can do to better protect innocent lives from sexual predators. Vermonters want those who can fix the system to do it -- and do it quickly.

It is the highest responsibility of government to protect those most vulnerable from those most dangerous.

I would ask every Vermonter who believes that we must do more to protect our women and children to go to the Lt. Governor’s website and download, print, and circulate our petition. If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, then call or visit my office in Montpelier and ask for a copy of the petition.

Together and as one, we can make Vermont a safer place for our children.

Brian Dubie
Lieutenant Governor
July 14, 2008

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/NEWS/80715015

[5boxersmom]

Both Jacques and Gagnon will be back in federal court on July 17 for probable cause hearings. We may learn more about the government's case at that time.

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=8628727&ClientType=Printable

[Leanne]

Former stepfather of Vermont girl indicted
Houston Chronicle - United States
July 16, 2008, 6:46PM

SAN ANTONIO — The former stepfather of a 12-year-old Vermont girl found dead earlier this month was indicted Wednesday on child pornography charges.

A grand jury indicted Raymond Gagnon on charges of transporting child pornography in April 2007 and possessing a computer containing child pornography on July 1, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a release.

Does this mean they found his computer that KG allegedly threw away?

[Leanne]

Both Jacques and Gagnon will be back in federal court on July 17 for probable cause hearings. We may learn more about the government's case at that time.

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=8628727&ClientType=Printable

I read on another site (maybe websleuths) that both MJ and RG's probable cause hearings are being postponed. Sorry, just got home from work and need to get supper started so can't look for a link right now.

[5boxersmom]

I read on another site (maybe websleuths) that both MJ and RG's probable cause hearings are being postponed. Sorry, just got home from work and need to get supper started so can't look for a link right now.


Thanks Leanne. I found a link.



Jacques, Gagnon Hearing Postponed

POSTED: 4:44 pm EDT July 16, 2008
UPDATED: 5:06 pm EDT July 16, 2008


BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Probable cause hearings that had been scheduled for Thursday in U.S. District Court in Burlington for Raymond Gagnon and Michael Jacques have been postponed at the request of defense attorneys.

The two men were charged soon after the disappearance of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett, who police later found buried in a shallow grave near Jacques' home.

Jacques has been charged with kidnapping and obstructing justice, while Gagnon -- Bennett's ex-stepfather -- faces child pornography and obstructing justice charges.
http://www.wptz.com/news/16902732/detail.html

[Baranis]

Texas Indicts Gagnon.
"SAN ANTONIO — The former stepfather of a 12-year-old Vermont girl found dead earlier this month now faces federal criminal charges in three states.
Raymond Gagnon, 40, of San Antonio was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Texas on charges of transporting child pornography in April 2007 and possessing a computer containing child pornography on July 1.
Gagnon, who is in federal custody in Vermont on obstruction of justice charges for his actions in connection with the disappearance and death of Brooke Bennett of Braintree. Michael Jacques, 42, is being held on federal kidnapping charges in that case"
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/NEWS/80716036

[Faith]

Thank you, Baranis.

I'm glad they are taking this case serious and stepping up to the plate and charging these animals.

[Baranis]

Thank you, Baranis.

I'm glad they are taking this case serious and stepping up to the plate and charging these animals.

YW, the three states are Alabama, Vermont, and Texas. All federal indictments.

[Baranis]

Reading the link I provided, it appears that in April 2007, Gagnon was transporting child porn. Why was he free to do as he pleased? I checked Texas Sex Offender search and Raymond Gagnon name was not found. Huh. Texas is strict and seeks harsh punishment for this type of offense.

[LoveK-9's]

Just checked in to see if anything was new - thank you for the info and link. These "freaks/perverts" are sickening and can never be reformed. But they are so good at fooling people.

May God Bless their victims.

I need to add that I know I made a harsh statememt, which is not the norm for me, but I can not say I'm sorry for the above statement.

[Baranis]

Interesting article, note the July 1 arrest date. Wow.
"Sex Offenders Arrested, Accused Of Using MySpace
AUSTIN -- Two San Antonio men have been arrested on suspicion of using MySpace, according to a statement from the state's Attorney General.

Charles Cathey, 52, and Daniel Trowbridge, 47, were both arrested on July 1, according to the statement from Attorney General Greg Abbott. The two men are both registered sex offenders, according to the statement, and were not allowed to use the internet per terms of their respective releases.

Cathey was originially sentenced to 35 years in prison in 1988 for aggravated sexual assault of a 7-year-old child, which Trowbridge was convicted in 1980 for indecency with an 11-year-old girl, according to the statement."

http://www.ksat.com/news/16914243/detail.html?rss=ant&psp=news

[awakening2lite]

Just checked in to see if anything was new - thank you for the info and link. These "freaks/perverts" are sickening and can never be reformed. But they are so good at fooling people.

May God Bless their victims.

I need to add that I know I made a harsh statememt, which is not the norm for me, but I can not say I'm sorry for the above statement.

Some of them are pretty good a fooling adults, too.

I'm so glad to see the Feds are taking this seriously and bringing them into court!

[Leanne]

Interesting article, note the July 1 arrest date. Wow.
"Sex Offenders Arrested, Accused Of Using MySpace
AUSTIN -- Two San Antonio men have been arrested on suspicion of using MySpace, according to a statement from the state's Attorney General.

Charles Cathey, 52, and Daniel Trowbridge, 47, were both arrested on July 1, according to the statement from Attorney General Greg Abbott. The two men are both registered sex offenders, according to the statement, and were not allowed to use the internet per terms of their respective releases.

Cathey was originially sentenced to 35 years in prison in 1988 for aggravated sexual assault of a 7-year-old child, which Trowbridge was convicted in 1980 for indecency with an 11-year-old girl, according to the statement."

http://www.ksat.com/news/16914243/detail.html?rss=ant&psp=news

Sickening that this POS was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment in 1998 and, a mere 10 years later, he is obviously free to pursue to his deviant ways. I guess he was rehabilatated too!!!

[LiveLaughLuv]

Parole Boards seem to be too lenient on SO's. I think they need to toughen the laws and have them do every day, no early releases. They cannot be rehabilitated.

[mandysmom]

In the article about chemical castration...Why chemical, why can't they just cut them off..Actually I would like them to do like I had to do to my sheep..You put a strong rubber band on the testicles and then in time they fall off..can't think of a better way to do it..chemical is tooooo easy

I totally agree with you. Chemical is not good enough.:frown:

[mandysmom]

A thousand thanks. I didn't save it from IS and now coudln't get back to it.

Hey EG! :happy0207:

[mandysmom]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll116/helpfindthemissing/RG-1.jpg
Raymond Gagnon, former stepfather of Brooke Bennett.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080712/NEWS02/80712001
My sister lives in Cullman and this guy looks like just any ordinary guy there.

The library there is small and the computers are in the view of the librarians. I am surprised that no one saw him looking at child porn there. It's not a big sprawling place and it's just mind boggling.

Seems these creeps can do whatever they want, whenever they want.

:mad:

[awakening2lite]

My sister lives in Cullman and this guy looks like just any ordinary guy there.

The library there is small and the computers are in the view of the librarians. I am surprised that no one saw him looking at child porn there. It's not a big sprawling place and it's just mind boggling.

Seems these creeps can do whatever they want, whenever they want.

:mad:

Neighborhood libraries: another place to meet children and their unsuspecting trusting mothers.

Mom's beware.

[Leanne]

Neighborhood libraries: another place to meet children and their unsuspecting trusting mothers.

Mom's beware.

Odd coincidence that you mention this today. Just last night I was talking to my daughter who lives in another country and she told me she was dropping my 6 y.o. g/daughter off at the library today for story time while she went to do some shopping. I nearly had a heart attack and asked her to please not do that and gave her an introductory lesson on SOs. She was shocked that she had not thought of that although, in all honestly, you don't hear much about SO problems in the province she lives in in South Africa. At least I know she wont be thinking of doing anything like that again.

[lost indie]

Interesting article about Jaques...

http://cardboardgods.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1039625.html

[Faith]

Jacques' sex offenses go back decades
Convicted rapist assaulted first victim 31 years ago
July 20, 2008

Editor's note: the following article contains graphic sexual and violent content.

Montpelier - Michael Jacques, 42, under arrest on kidnapping charges following the disappearance and slaying of his niece, 12-year-old Brooke Bennett, has a long history of alleged sex offenses, according to police affidavits.

Court documents from 1985 reveal that Jacques was 11 years old when he sexually assaulted his first victim.

Jacques was the last person seen with Bennett before her body was found in a shallow grave a short distance from his house in Randolph Center on July 2, a week after she disappeared. No one has been charged in her death, which was ruled a homicide. Jacques is under arrest on federal kidnapping charges in the case and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Authorities believe Jacques' first victim was an 8-year-old female relative. The girl was abused for years and subjected to at least 100 incidents of sexual assault, until at age 15 she was impregnated by Jacques following an incident in 1984.

That pregnancy was terminated and Jacques was charged with one count of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor for an August 1983 incident with the victim, the affidavit sates.

Attorney Peter Nowlan represented Jacques at that time and made a pre-trial motion "to exclude evidence of alleged history of sexual encounters with the same child." Under Vermont Rule 403 evidence "may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, wast of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence."

In the case against Jacques, Orange County District Court Judge John Connarn denied the request on the grounds that some of the evidence was admissible.

Nowlan then made a motion to have the case tired in juvenile court because Jacques was 17 when he was charged. It is not clear whether a decision was made to move the proceedings to juvenile court. Instead, approximately six months after Jacques was arrested and charged with a lewd and lascivious act on a minor, State's Attorney James McKnight dismissed the case because the victim refused to testify.

In 1993, Jacques was convicted on charges of kidnapping and sexual assault. The incident involved an 18-year-old female co-worker from his place of employment in Rutland, according to the affidavit. He was charged with four crimes in all: kidnapping, simple assault, sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault. Court documents for the case total roughly 200 pages.

Jacques brought the victim, who was intoxicated, to a field in Randolph and repeated assaulted her, physically and sexually, after coercing her in handcuffs, according to the affidavit.

The victim recalled a cooler-type container from which Jacques took rope that he put around her neck through much of the incident, a kitchen knife, with which he threatened her life, and a piece of cloth used to gag her. According to the statement the victim gave, she was sure her life was going to end that night.

Following the incident, which took place over several hours, Jacques was apologetic and promised to get psychiatric help, according to the affidavit.

As with the Bennett case, the victim in this incident was reported missing by her family. While state police investigated the missing person charge, the victim left Jacques' house in Randolph and was involved in a vehicle accident on her route home, according to the affidavit.

The officer investigating the missing person claim received a call from Jacques who told police he had last seen the victim in Rutland early that same morning, according to the affidavit. A second male, who had been with Jacques and the victim that evening before the incident occurred, countered Jacques' claim regarding the time-frame and his whereabouts in his statement to police.

After serving four years in prison for the charges that carried a sex to 20 year sentence, Jacques was released in 1996. A year later, his parole officer, Paul McNaugton, requested additional supervision conditions and submitted a letter to Orange County District Court Jude David Suntag:

"Mr. Jacques and I have often discussed his history in detail, not just in relation to his current offense .... These discussions revealed the following. He has committed multiple offenses, including: sexually assaulting a 13-year-old female, which led to conviction for L&L - lewd and lascivious - (amended from sexual assault), for which he received a deferred sentence; He had coerced sexual activities with (the aforementioned victim) when she was eight years of age. These activities included fondling, oral sex and sexual intercourse and took place over a period of years. (The victim) eventually was impregnated by him and an abortion was performed. Mr. Jacques was charged with L&L which [sic] later dismissed; An incident at a party he was attending, during which he disrobed and raped an unconscious woman. There were no charges or investigation of this matter; And the current offense, during which he hand-cuffed an unconscious woman...He forced the victim to participate in a variety of sexual activities over several hours. He took her to an area in a wood and forced her to her knees while he stood behind her with a knife to her throat, telling her he was going to execute her ... I have spoken with the victim in this case, and she remains convinced that Mr. Jacques' true intent was to execute her and that she was in fact, spared for unknown reasons. It should be noted that during the period that Mr. Jacques held the victim captive, he related to her that he had previously committed a similar offense in Arizona with a 12-year-old child, that he killed her by cutting her throat. While Mr. Jacques had spent time in Arizona, no evidence of his claim was found.

"Mr. Jacques has engaged in risky, manipulative and deceitful behavior since his release. He has caused an employer to believe that he had been convicted of 'date rape,' which was a simple 'misunderstanding' - referring to the 1993 case...He has reportedly taken an intoxicated female stranger to his grandfather's house, to "drop off his dog," which replicates certain aspects of his most recent offense...He has given other indicators that he continues to engage in various fantasies and misconceptions.

"It is my belief that Mr. Jacques presents a major risk to re-offend, and is a threat to the community in that regard."

In 1997, a year after his release, Jacques committed his only parole violation; failing to notify authorities of an address change. Jacques was dating Denise Rice, whom he later married, and had been staying with her and her 3-year-old daughter at least five nights a week, according to court records. One of the conditions of his release was no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16.

In 2004, a proposal to discharge from probation stated, :According to Mr. Jacques' probation officer, he is a 'probation success story.'"

Jacques married, had a child with his wife, owned a home and was employed in a position which entailed significant responsibilities. He completed the outpatient sexual offender treatment and was discharged from the program in 2000.

The state argued against the discharge from probation stating, "...given the brutality of the crimes [sic] Defendant committed, he should remain supervised on probation for his maximum sentence, 20 years."

According to affidavits regarding the most recent state charge of sexual assault on a minor, which is not active at this point, Jacques began sexually abusing the girl when she was 9 years old. That victim is now 14, which means the abuse would have begun in 2003, a year before the initial proposal for discharge from probation.

The state objected to the discharge requested in 2004, with the agreement that if he committed no violations for the next two years, Jacques could be released from probation. Orange County District Attorney Court Judge Amy Davenport presided over the case.

In 2006, Judge Michael Zimmerman, who now serves in the Washington County Superior Court as an assistant judge, signed off on Jacques' petition for discharge from probation.

A preliminary hearing for Jacques on the current federal kidnapping charges related to the Bennett murder, which had been scheduled for July 17 , was postponed after his attorney requested a 20-day delay, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Burlington. That case is being tried in U.S. District Court in Burlington. A new hearing date has not been scheduled, according to prosecutors in the case.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080720/NEWS/10176938

[5boxersmom]

Did the autopsy report ever come back?

[SavannahStar]

Did the autopsy report ever come back?


I don't think so....that's the big hold-up I think. We don't know her cause of death or anything. I hate being in suspense.

[Baranis]

08/06/2008

Associated Press

After a two-week search, Texas authorities have stopped looking in a landfill for a computer allegedly containing child pornography and other evidence connected to the kidnapping and killing of a 12-year-old Vermont girl.

According to a report by WOIA-TV in San Antonio, the FBI spent two weeks searching a dump for a computer belonging to Raymond Gagnon, the former stepfather of Brooke Bennett.

Gagnon, 40, faces obstruction of justice charges in the Bennett's disappearance and Michael Jacques, Brooke's uncle, has been charged with her kidnapping.

Police say Gagnon told his landlord to throw out a safe containing the computer as investigators narrowed in on him and Jacques.

___

Information from: The Times Argus, http://www.timesargus.com/


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D92CQ4H03.html

[KittyMom]

OMGosh!!! This guy is a monster.

[Lilly]

I'm very anxious for Jaques to be charged with Brooke's murder. This monster needs to be brought to justice for what he's done to his victims.

[sadieblack]

On local news tonight. Jaques will be in court next Wednesday, which would be 8/13.

[SavannahStar]

On local news tonight. Jaques will be in court next Wednesday, which would be 8/13.


Thank you. I so long for updates in this case. Has the autopsy report/cause of death been made public yet?

[Claudia]

Good to hear something. It's been a long wait.

[sadieblack]

I haven't heard much about it either, just happened to hear that he would be in court on Wed. Haven't been around much this week to see the news. 'll listen again at 11 pm and let you know if they say any more.

They are also working on revising the law, finally. Hope they don't drop the ball.

[Claudia]

I haven't heard much about it either, just happened to hear that he would be in court on Wed. Haven't been around much this week to see the news. 'll listen again at 11 pm and let you know if they say any more.

They are also working on revising the law, finally. Hope they don't drop the ball.

Thanks, sadie!

[sadieblack]

They said Jaques will appear on wed 8/13 for a probable cause hearing. No one has been charged in her murder. Nothing mentioned on autopsy. will keep you posted when I hear more.

[sadieblack]

Corrections comes under fire in the Jacques case

August 8, 2008

By Peter Hirschfeld Vermont Press Bureau

MONTPELIER – Michael Jacques, charged last month in connection with the murder of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett, was convicted in New Hampshire in 2005 for failing to comply with that state's sex offender registry laws. But the Vermont judge who approved his discharge from probation in 2006 was never informed of the offense, even though the Department of Corrections was aware of the conviction.

Much more here: http://timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS01/808080371/1002/NEWS01

[sadieblack]

Kidnapping suspect Michael Jacques has been assigned two additional lawyers who specialize in death penalty cases.

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=8823362&nav=menu183_3_3_2

They are about to letting another one out of jail today!!!! :groan:

Rutland, Vermont - August 11, 2008

Vermont State Police are issuing a special alert for a sex offender who is about to get out of prison.

Justin Canales, 25, of Middletown Springs, will be released Tuesday after serving a sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Canales has been classified by the state as a high risk offender and police say if he re-offends he would be likely to target young girls.

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=8823495&nav=menu183_3_3_2

[sadieblack]

Jacques Hearing Canceled
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- The hearing for the man accused of kidnapping Brooke Bennett was canceled Wednesday morning after he waived his right to a probable cause hearing.

http://www.wptz.com/news/17179939/detail.html