Martinez: Inquest set for Discovery Bay child molester's in-custody death

11-15-15 California:

MARTINEZ -- Coroner's officials said they will hold a public inquest next month into a prisoner's in-custody death last June, the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

Discovery Bay resident John Raymond Hansen, 54, died at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center on June 11, two days after Martinez Detention Facility staff found him unconscious in a housing module from an apparent hanging, authorities said.

Hansen was convicted of 10 felony counts of child molestation for sexually abusing three girls between the ages of 10 and 14 in Discovery Bay in 2006 though 2014.

There were other convictions for intimidating victim witnesses, and for assaulting a Contra Costa Sheriff's detective. According to court records, Hansen was drunk when he bit a detective on her hand when she was trying to interview him on the day of his 2014 arrest.

Officer cleared of wrongdoing in alleged rape

4-1-2010 Georgia:

A Dalton police officer who committed suicide last year just hours after being accused of raping a woman has been cleared of all wrongdoing, authorities said Wednesday.

Robert Paul Sparks, 54, was in the Dalton Police Services Center on Jones Street when he shot himself near daybreak on the Saturday morning of Jan. 10, 2009. While on duty earlier that morning, he had responded to a Whitfield 911 call at 1:30 a.m. of two women fighting at the Oyster Bar at 2206 Chattanooga Road, and went with one of the women, Frankie Diane Cross, to her room at the Guest Inn behind the restaurant to retrieve her identification. Sparks was accused by Cross of rape in a call to 911 at 3:22 a.m.

District Attorney Kermit McManus said the police department asked him to evaluate the completed Georgia Bureau of Investigation report, and he found “insufficient evidence” to prove Sparks “engaged in criminal sexual activity.” He also said there was not enough evidence to charge Cross with making false statements, although it was “clear,” he said, that she made statements that are “false as they are inconsistent with other statements made.”

Vivian Sparks, the mother of Paul Sparks, said the death of her son and ensuing investigation have been “awful” for her family to bear.

“Before, it just seemed he was guilty before anybody knew any of the circumstances,” she said of the lengthy investigation. “Even though he’s been found (to have done) no wrongdoing, nothing’s going to be done to her. I think that is wrong that no one is held responsible.”

Sparks said the wait for the findings has been “terrible” for her and especially her 27-year-old grandson, Sparks’ son.

Lawsuit filed over deceased Belen officer’s alleged sex crimes

10-12-15 New Mexico:

BELEN, N.M. (KRQE) – A former Belen police officer is the subject of a federal lawsuit filed Monday. The allegations are alarming: having a sexual relationship with a student, but what makes this case even more unusual is that the officer is now deceased.

Mike Esquibel, 45, killed himself in September as a criminal investigation into him intensified. He may be gone, but attorneys say that’s not stopping them from fighting for justice on behalf of a young woman.

For eight years, Esquibel served the community of Belen. He was on the police department and served as a school resource officer. But according to the federal lawsuit, Esquibel had a dark secret, an inappropriate relationship with a student that started when she was in seventh grade.

“He had very serious problems where he abused and exploited his position of authority,” said attorney Michael Hart, who represents the alleged victim.

Sex offender kills self, as authorities knock on the door

10-8-15 Ohio:

JACKSON— A sex offender, wanted by law enforcement, took his life as authorities were knocking on his door.

Jackson County Sheriff Tedd Frazier reported Wednesday afternoon that his deputies, along with an US Marshal, went to 9243 Beaver Pike, Jackson, just before 1 p.m. Wednesday, to serve arrest warrants to a man believed to be living in the trailer. As authorities were knocking on the door of the home, Frazier said that the resident shot himself in the head with a .380 pistol. Frazier said the single shot, ended the man’s life.

Authorities identified 51-year-old Michael Shannon Shrewsbury of the Beaver Pike address, as both the man who ended his own life, as well as the man they were looking to serve arrest warrants to.

Frazier said that Shrewsbury was wanted on felony warrants for failing to register as a sex offender, as well as a warrant from West Virginia. The US Marshal’s office became involved due to the multi-state warrants for Shrewsbury’s arrest. Authorities were at the residence to take Shrewsbury into custody.

Accused child molester commits suicide

5-16-2015 Illinois:

A rural Chebanse man, accused of molesting one family member and raping another, shot and killed himself on Thursday, the day of his arraignment in Kankakee County court.

Lloyd L. Silsbee, 75, died at a Kankakee hospital according to a Kankakee County sheriff's police report.

His wife told officers he went out to a shed and she heard a gunshot.

According to court records, Silsbee, who was arrested in March, was indicted by a grand jury on April 3. He was supposed to be arraigned on April 13 but received a continuance so he could hire a lawyer.

Silsbee is accused of molesting a 5-year-old relative, who reported it to another family member. Another girl, now 14, came forward and said Silsbee raped her when she was 7 or 8 years old. ..Source.. by Daily Jurnal