Latest news with #BikersAgainstChildAbuse
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County Hosts Luminaria
FLORENCE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County is hosting a series of events this month to mark Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Locals say they continue to fight for children's rights. At the event on Thursday, more than 3,000 luminarias were lit to represent the number of child abuse survivors that the center has served. 'We need to work together to make sure, as adults, we're taking care of kids and making sure we keep them safe,' says Kara Mcelhone, executive director of the Children's Advocacy Center of Hampshire County. According to the center, 25% of those they serve are under 7 years old. 80% of those they work with are sexual abuse survivors. 'We stand together to protect children so they feel safe in this world. Unfortunately, there are children who need help feeling that way. People abuse them and treat them horribly. They need to be empowered,' says Willow with Bikers Against Child Abuse. If you would like to learn more information about the center, click here. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
10-04-2025
- Miami Herald
Leader of anti-child abuse group caught sharing child pornography, NY cops say
A leading member of Bikers Against Child Abuse — a non-profit organization that aims to prevent further harm against children who've been sexually, physically and emotionally abused — was arrested on child pornography charges in New York, state police say. John C. Todaro, the vice president of the non-profit advocacy group's chapter in Buffalo, New York, was found with child pornography, according to an April 9 news release issued by state police. He's also been sharing child pornography, authorities say. Felony charges Todaro, 49, of Amherst, is charged with two felonies: promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child, according to state police. Attorney information for Todaro, who was arrested April 9, wasn't immediately available. Through his position, as a person who's supposed to advocate against child abuse, state police say Todaro 'would have had opportunities to be around children and child victims.' Bikers Against Child Abuse has dozens of chapters in nearly all 50 states, except Delaware, North Dakota and Rhode Island. The non-profit group made up of bikers also has chapters in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Europe, Iceland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The group's members work with local and state officials to protect children. The goal of Bikers Against Child Abuse 'The goal of BACA is eventually to break the chains of child abuse,' a chapter member said in an informational video shared by Bikers Against Child Abuse International on YouTube. The organization's online mission statement says: 'We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence.' To join the organization, the group requires prospective members to be at least 18 years old, agree to a full background check, attend monthly meetings, bike rides, court hearings and other events, according to Bikers Against Child Abuse's website. When a member is with a child, at least one other member is present, the organization explains on its website. According to Bikers Against Child Abuse's Buffalo chapter, Todaro uses the nickname 'Doc.' Other leading chapter members also use nicknames. Bikers Against Child Abuse didn't immediately return McClatchy News' request for comment April 10. What's next for Todaro? The charges against Todaro stem from an investigation by New York State Police's Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a national agency that collaborates with federal, state and local law enforcement. The ICAC Task Force is involved in investigating, prosecuting and responding to online crimes that harm children. According to New York State Police, Todaro appeared in court in Amherst, a Buffalo suburb, for an arraignment and 'was released on own recognizance.' He's due to return to court in May, state police say. Authorities ask anyone with information on Todaro to call state police at 585-344-6200. Suspected child exploitation can be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline online or by calling 1-800-843-5678.
The Independent
10-04-2025
- The Independent
VP of Bikers Against Child Abuse arrested on child porn possession charges
The vice president of the Buffalo branch of Bikers Against Child Abuse has been arrested on charges of child porn possession. John C. Todaro, 49, was arrested Wednesday for promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child, according to the New York State Police. Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (B.A.C.A.) pledges 'to create a safer environment for abused children', according to the mission statement on their website. The tax exempt non-profit also seeks to 'empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live." Police have said thanks to his role within the group, Todaro had opportunities to be around children. Investigators from Clarence, just northeast of Buffalo, conducted a sweep of the 49-year-old's electronic devices as part of an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation supported by the Troop A Computer Crimes Unit, according to a statement from the New York State Police. It's not clear what tipped investigators off. Todaro was released on his own recognizance and will appear in court in Amherst again in May. John C. Todaro, 49, of Amherst, New York State has been arrested for promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child (New York State Police) New York State Police have asked anyone with information to contact them at 585-344-6200. The Buffalo chapter was established in 2014. In 2023, the group's efforts saw them awarded 'Bikers Against Child Abuse' month in Erie County. According to the charity's website, an abused child can contact the B.A.C.A, where a child liaison first speaks to them. 'The Liaison [then] contacts the family, and an initial ride is organized to meet the child at their home or in some other location where the child will feel comfortable,' according to the website. The group of bikers designated to that area then rides to meet the child, who is given a vest with a B.A.C.A. patch sewn on the back to wear. Children who have suffered abuse will then undergo a step-by-step process of being integrated into the group as a 'family member' and B.A.C.A members will even attend the court hearings where, if the children are required to testify against their alleged abusers, providing a judge permits it. However, this is not the first time B.A.C.A members have been tied to child sex abuse crimes. David Wayne Garvey was convicted on four counts of child pornography possession in 2011 (344th Judicial District Court - Chambers County) In 2009, David Wayne Garvey, a member in Houston, was arrested for possession of child pornography. His membership was subsequently revoked. He was sentenced in 2011 to 20 years on four counts of 'possession with intent to promote child pornography,' according to court records seen by The Independent . In 2018, members of the B.A.C.A Sam Bass chapter in Round Rock, Texas, were arrested in July 2018 for 23 counts of abusing foster children in their care, including indecency with a child and injury to a child, according to an affidavit seen by CBS News . The accused were a married couple, Daniel and Shirley Rodriguez. David Richard West, a former B.A.C.A member was charged with child pornography offences in 2019 (Oklahoma Department Of Corrections) A year later, Oklahoma B.A.C.A. member Richard David West, 41, was arrested and charged with lewd or indecent acts or proposals to a child under the age of 16, according to public records seen by The Independent . The Independent contacted Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A) for comment.
