Ricardo Robert "Bob" Perez, Jr. passed away peacefully at Central Washington Hospital on Thursday, December 12, 2013, surrounded by family and friends. . Terry Pippin, present when Perez questioned Green, recalled in court that "she cried occasionally, real softly." PEREZ Feb. 2000 99 Wn. Wenatchee was in shock. . Supported by interviews with other children, it appeared a hellish pact had been made among neighbors. Sergeant Michael B. Wagner 4/27/2007. The investigation found that Perez coerced suspects, many poor and developmentally disabled, into making false confessions, and coached testimony from witnesses. THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE FAKE SEX RING THAT CHANGED WENATCHEE FOREVERQ. I thought to myself, `Oh God, what a mess,' and went straight to my supervisor," Glassen said. Court documents said the girl had come from a wretched home; the house, on Cashmere Street, was crowded and filthy and desperately unhappy. The more he heard, the. Still, the foundation of the increasingly complicated and bizarre case was the children's testimony. . The younger boy, located at school, gave a similar account. Rose was sentenced to 23 years. Victim Rikki Olds, 25, was a "strong, independent" young woman who worked at the grocery store, her uncle, Robert Olds, told ABC News. . Of course, poverty is not synonymous with crime and perversion. What kind of perception do you think a story like this leavesthe American people? The investigation began in January 1995 when Detective Robert Perez was told by his 13-year-old foster daughter, Donna Perez, that she had been sexually molested. Perez's failure to reveal his "coercive tactics" does not establish bad faith because there is no evidentiary showing that Perez did . And Idella, threatened with a beating from her husband, had held the children down, then molested them herself. Devereaux's 15-year-old accuser was Glassen's responsibility, one of dozens of kids on his case list. "[50] In 2001, a jury found the city of Wenatchee and Douglas County, Washington negligent in the 1994-1995 investigations. [4][16] Perez's foster daughter later recanted[17][18] and apologized to Roberson, claiming that Perez had pressured her. On a sticky-hot July afternoon, about three months after the Towns were arrested, Perez knocked on Laura Holt's door. There is medical evidence to support some charges of sexual molestation. . Would you consider this one the earliest instances of "fake news" weve seen? Nearly all the children interviewed by police came from impoverished, troubled homes. That the truth came out at the end is some consolation, little as it is, but justice was not served. The 12-year-old backed up the charge. He was born on October 17, 1953, in Ohio, to Ricardo and Anne (Tempe) Perez. Most were investigated, some were not - the information lost in a shuffle of supervisors. Go to Fox Nationto start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite Fox News personalities. Robert Devereaux Roberson Family The Everett Family Possible reasons for unethical work. By this time, some children had recanted their accusations. Q. Focus was directed towards other employees. Emerson Linarez, 38, was shot and killed in a confrontation with a homeowner. "The adults undressed and got in line and took turns with everybody. "[36] Some jurors met with the Robersons after the trial; Roberson reported they were "so angry and upset that this case was even brought to trial". View memorials for all fallen law enforcement officers from the New York City Police Department, New York. The allegations started when two children under the foster care of detective Robert Perez began accusing their parents. Tim Abbey, the Supervisor of Child Protective Services at the time of the Wenatchee sex crime investigation, had no doubt done his part in aiding Perez having dismissed an alleged victims recantation, facilitating the arrest of the caseworker whod brought the very admission to his attention, and even forcing hospitalization at a mental facility for any children whod been uncooperative witnesses in the prosecution of their parents. The children had said there were pornographic photographs and videotapes, including some "home movies" of the alleged orgies. DI Jimmy Perez and his team investigate crimes within the close knit island community of Shetland. Sadie Knowles), described as "low IQ",[77] and "who described herself as developmentally disabled", said "I pleaded guilty to something I didn't understand," and must continue to register as a sex offender. "I was willing to stand and fight," he said. When Ventura Police arrived to the 1500 block of Daffodil Avenue, they found 37-year-old Robert Perez had been stabbed once in the chest. Meredith Town was sentenced to 18 years and 4 months in prison; Cherie was ordered to serve 10 years. 4, No. Of the cases that ended in convictions or guilty pleas, 18 were thrown out or overturned on appeal after Perezs tactics were investigated by a specially appointed appellate judge. Flowers In their memory Plant Memorial Trees. Other siblings confirmed the story. Children were interviewed in the presence of other children. Cited in numerous civil suits still pending against the city of Wenatchee, Detective Robert Perez retired on disability. Shortly after midnight, Perez began questioning her; at 3:23 a.m., she signed a typed confession admitting to molesting numerous children. [80], In 1995 journalist Tom Grant of KREM-TV won a George Polk Award for Excellence in Journalism for his coverage of these cases. Children, not knowing whether their memories are real, grow up unsure and unhappy - damaged no matter what happened. 10/21/2004. Perez looked for Green; when the two finally connected by phone, Green's first question was "Is this about Laura Holt?" Some will never believe it. Do you feel it lends to the distrust of the justice department, or do you find theres some saving grace in the fact that, in the end, Perez was ultimately caught, and everyone accused, exonerated? . "It's a witch hunt, pure and simple," said Bob Kinkade, self-appointed leader of the local chapter of Victims of Child Abuse Laws. . But prosecutors and Perez's police superiors deny any. The Robersons were arrested on 22 counts of child rape and molestation. Somebody would have told.". Authorities alleged that Miller and her former husband, Larry Steinborn, were members of "The Circle.". The last imprisoned defendant was released in Dec. 2000. Ever since this page published details of the spree of child abuse prosecutions in the town of Wenatchee, Washington, readers have been calling . At least one caseworker said change was needed in the Devereaux household - perhaps only boys should be placed there. During the ride she. Melinda Everett's civil lawsuit says the Department of Social and Health Services should not have placed her in the home of former Wenatchee police detective Robert Perez. There is no interrogation room, so officers question suspects at their desks, which are arranged in two short rows in a drab gray room. [69] The city was fined almost as much during the civil trial for withholding evidence. "Let me tell you, I was abused by two uncles and a cousin, and I know the dirt you feel. Some were born poor in Wenatchee, others arrived that way. Elegant new homes, perched on the brown ridges above town, attest to the community's expanding wealth. . The day after Cherie Town called the Rape Crisis Center, Perez stopped by briefly. Kenneth Lanning, the FBI's child-abuse specialist, has advised against taping, saying it creates a "highly subjective piece of evidence.". . [10] This drive became known locally as the "Parade of Homes"[11][12] or the "drive-by". However, prosecutors never charged Glassen with a crime. They had no idea, of course, of the difficulties that lay ahead; no hint of conspiracy; no clue that an incestuous ring of pedophiles, the likes of which has never been proved in this country, might be operating in Wenatchee. [1] The Unraveling Of A Monstrous Secret -- Sex-Abuse Scandal Has Wenatchee Reeling Jun 8, 1995 Marla Williams, Dee Norton IT BEGAN AS a case involving one man raping his two young boys. Late one afternoon that September, Luci Perez sat down with her foster daughter. "I couldn't very well say no. Bundling the girl up, Perez and two Child Protective Services caseworkers drove the child, now 10, around town so she could point out where these orgies were supposed to have taken place. Local authorities alleged that dozens of children were raped in the bedrooms of their parents, in the homes of their neighbors, and at ritualized orgies on the altar of a church. "The fact is terrible things, unimaginable things, happen to children.". Initially placed together, state caseworkers separated the children to prevent them from "sexually acting out amongst themselves.". It was appalling. Civil Rights: Other case filed on July 12, 2022 in the New Jersey District Court . - Provide support to Hub members regarding detective controls processes (B2R, B2C, P2P, MDM). Criminal prosecutions in Washington state, U.S. hysteria over child molestation in the 1980s, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, "The imaginary "sex rings" in Wenatchee, WA", Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, "Other Well-Known Cases | Innocence Lost | FRONTLINE | PBS", "Pastor and Wife Are Acquitted on All Charges in Sex-Abuse Case", "Jury finds city, county negligent in child sex ring case", "Book Review - 'Witch Hunt: A True Story of Social Hysteria and Abused Justice', "Afterward: Freedom is never the same for those who've been to prison on phony charges", "Last case settled in botched sex ring case", "Children sacrificed for the case: Allegations set up a puzzle of doubtful ethics, dubious facts", "CNN - Pastor, wife acquitted in child sex trial - Dec. 12, 1995", "The ghost won't lie still: Ten years after first arrest, 'sex-ring' episode still haunts the community | Local News", "WENATCHEE SEX RING: Questions resurface about 'witch hunt', "TV Station Ordered To Turn Over Tape: Judge Says Krem-TV Violated Girl's Rights In Wenatchee Sex Ring Case | The Spokesman-Review", "Wenatchee: Sex Probe Tests Truth and Trust", "The Unraveling of a Monstrous Secret -- Sex-Abuse Scandal Has Wenatchee Reeling", "Sex Case A 'Wenatchee Witch Hunt' Some Incidents of Incest Were Uncovered but There's Been No Proof of Group Child Abuse", "Cameo Garrett: Wenatchee Mentality: Conversation with Robbi Roberson", "Who is Abusing the Children of Wenatchee? The driving force behind the investigations was a police detective, Robert Perez, who never taped a single interview, routinely destroyed any notes he made and relied primarily on the testimony of . . By 2004, the city of Wenatchee had paid out more than $7 million in jury awards and settlements to claimants who were falsely accused. A child may misattribute a specific abusive act . During Plaintiff's discussion with Defendant Detective Perez on June 3, 1994, Plaintiff made a detailed statement wherein he admitted to sexually abusing his daughter Jessica in Moses Lake and in Wenatchee, as well as sexually abusing his three other daughters, Sarah, Jennifer, and Carrie in Wenatchee and elsewhere. [2][3] Many poor and intellectually disabled suspects pled guilty, while those who hired private lawyers were acquitted. Again, prosecutors never brought charges, but Glassen was fired from his job for failure to report child abuse and neglect. Believe me, I know, its hard in the trenches and Perez hasnt made it any easier. [85][11] In September 1995, Grant wrote, "Now I know what it's like to be falsely accused. "He wore me down and made me mad . She arrived shortly after noon, 34, single, with five children. 2d 33 | Casetext Search + Citator", "Wenatchee Witchhunt on Dateline, November 1995", "Part I, b - Detective a man who charmed, harmed", "Robert Perez Police Department Evaluation", "Ex-Wenatchee sex crime detective Bob Perez dies", "Bob Perez, driving force in discredited sex abuse cases, dies | Local News", "Author Fights Sex-Ring Case Subpoena | the Spokesman-Review", "Writer Need Not Reveal Sources in Wenatchee Sex-Ring Cases | the Spokesman-Review", "Child sex ring book gets mixed reviews | Northwest", "One Brave Soul's Crusade for Truth About Wenatchee | the Seattle Times", "Wenatchee Witch Hunt and the Doggett Family", "Wenatchee Couple's Rape Conviction is Overturned | the Seattle Times", "State v. Carol M.D, 89 Wn. It was the Holt children's aggressive sexual behavior that made authorities wonder if there hadn't been more wrong in the Holt household than father-daughter incest and motherly neglect. "Evil does not require a motiveit simply is.". That suggestion was ultimately rejected in Olympia as "discriminatory.". They entered Alford pleas, the process by which defendants maintain innocence but acknowledge they would be found guilty at trial. In 1998, Phillip Esplin, a forensic psychologist for the National Institutes of Health's Child Witness Project said that "Wenatchee may be the worst example ever of mental health services being abused by a state to control and manage children who have been frightened and coerced into falsely accusing their parents and neighbors of the most heinous of crimes. . It is important to note that their marriage ended after one of Miller's daughters (by a previous husband) accused Steinborn of sexual molestation. "The difficulty in such situations is teasing out the truth.". Others argue children do not lie about something as physically and emotionally painful as sexual abuse. On March 13, 1995, Perez put Donna in his police car with two social services caseworkers and they drove through Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. The 15-year-old said Devereaux had forced her and a 12-year-old foster sister to have sex with him. They awarded $3 million to a couple who had been wrongly accused in the inquiry,[5] but the state supreme court later upheld an appeals court ruling reducing this award to the Sims. The Wenatchee disaster has created great distrust for law enforcement in general. Former Wenatchee police Detective Robert Perez and former Wenatchee Police Chief Ken Badgley were both dismissed as defendants before the trial. The sheriff's office obtained search warrants and sought physical evidence, including samples of the carpet and sections of the rectory wall. . In 2021, Maria Gutierrez alleged an Arlington police officer tore her rotator cuff. "Fact is, people find this kind of thing very difficult to believe. Perez said it was too late, that he was under arrest for suspicion of child rape. Wenatchee is generally regarded as a pleasant town with a solid, upright middle class. As I have long argued, Evil does not require a motiveit simply is. Forty hours sitting in a classroomspread over three days? Whether those children were routinely gang-raped, as police and prosecutors say, is another matter. Perez knew time was short. Many people were horrified, almost grief-stricken by the sex scandal; others were beginning to think police, and Perez in particular, were manufacturing charges. The Holt children were in foster homes, removed by Child Protective Services following their father's arrest. As a police officer he did his very best to serve his community, Magnotti said. There were neighborly exchanges between families. But by the time Detective Robert Perez completed his investigation, 24 people in Wenatchee had been accused in a child sex-abuse scandal. [38][39], Concerned Citizens for Legal Accountability, formed to ask for an outside investigation,[40] filed a complaint with the state Commission on Judicial Conduct criticizing judges T.W. "[59] Lyon described the prosecutions as "a great example of a social phenomenon that we haven't seen since Salem or the McCarthy era". It took years of mental health treatment for the case to proceed against Alan Dean in the killing of Melissa Lee. Some things she said made Perez suspect there was a conspiracy, that kids were being passed among neighbors. Unable to afford the $1,000,000 bail for each, they were held in jail where Robert was beaten. In Cherie Town's book, it was wrong for her husband to be messing around with other women. IT BEGAN AS a case involving one man raping his two young boys. Mae Hochstetler can pay the bills because the state pays her to care for her adult son, with a pandemic pay bump. Now in their late teens, the former witnesses have publicly declared that none of the crimes they . . It was the touching thing, the `wild thing.' . The suspect, who was reportedly living on the USS Kidd, is accused of fatally hitting a pedestrian and fleeing the scene. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 336 Roberson v. Perez Aug. 2004 123 Wn. Gomez, 267 F.3d 895, 907 (9th Cir.2001) (internal quotations omitted). Then a tip came from the Holts' former landlady. Information from: The Wenatchee World, http://www.wenatcheeworld.com. ", Defense attorneys for Cherie Town asked the court to quash the confession, arguing that she is of "substantially low IQ" and "believed that if she told Perez what he wanted to hear, she would not get in serious trouble." Perez, who was called to the stand by the defense, has testified that barely a month after he was promoted from uniformed patrolman to Wenatchee's only child sex crimes investigator in January. "It is extremely easy for a child, especially when traumatized, to create false memories . Police records say the youngster was forthcoming, confirming that his father raped him and forced him to perform oral sex. Robert Stack 10/13/1982 1548 Ogden St: Robert Tolliver 11/12/1982 600 blk Poplar St. Savino Joseph Nuane 11/12/1982 2644 Larimer St. - Joe's Liquor Store Steven Emory Improper training. S Federal & W Florida . Morales-Perez . CPS records indicate allegations of sexual abuse were leveled at Devereaux at least seven times over four years. The allegations strained credulity but not then, nor later, did Perez or his superiors consider the children might be embroidering the truth. Detective Armando Perez has worked for the police force in many different units. The next day Devereaux was notified that his foster care license had been suspended. Experts say children who have been sexually abused for years accept it as "normal," and often will repeat the behavior in situations other than the home. she said during an interview at the Washington Correctional Facility for Women near Purdy, where she is to spend the next 40 years. On March 13, 1995, Perez put Donna in his police car with two social services caseworkers and they drove through Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Roberson had been looking into whether Perez was railroading poor, uneducated people into jail and had publicly spoken against the arrest of people like Harold and Idella Everett, who sometimes attended the church. Detective Second Grade Kevin G. Hawkins 5/7/2007. On March 13, 1994, in what has become known as the "parade of homes," D.E. but, in my 20 years of experience I've found it extremely unusual for a child to fabricate such accusations from whole cloth," said psychiatrist Roland Summit, who has been a consultant on several high-profile sex abuse trials, including the McMartin day-care case in Los Angeles. The verdict came after 3 1/2 hours of deliberations. Those who know but do not like him say he is a "manipulative monster.". [22] Parents and Sunday school teachers were charged, and many were convicted of abusing children, often including their own, or their foster children.