Latest news with #Gregson
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Violent' man tried to ‘set up' registered sex offenders with kids in WA, feds say
A 'repeat violent sex offender' convicted of rape in 1988 ran a Telegram group to arrange 'pedophilic relationships' while also hosting teenage boys he befriended online at his Washington home, federal prosecutors said. After 17 years of civil detainment at a facility for accused sexual predators on McNeil Island in the South Puget Sound, southwest of Tacoma, prosecutors said Alan Lewis Meirhofer, now 72, 'returned to sexually exploiting children via online platforms.' Meirhofer, of Skagit County, was caught sharing child sexual abuse content online and trying to 'set up' his adult friends, other registered sex offenders, with minors, according to prosecutors. The mother of a teenage boy he's accused of grooming reported Meirhofer to the police, leading to his arrest in March 2021, prosecutors said. Now, Meirhofer has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on charges of receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington said in a June 2 news release. 'Following his release from civil commitment, Mr. Meirhofer adapted his predatory behavior to modern technology,' Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller said in a statement. His court-appointed federal public defender, Dennis Carroll, declined McClatchy News' request for comment June 3. Ahead of sentencing, Meirhofer asked for the 15-year prison sentence sought by prosecutors, a sentencing memo filed by Carroll on Meirhofer's behalf shows. In a letter to the court, Meirhofer wrote that he felt 'guilt' over his 'grievous actions' and that he takes 'full and sole responsibility' for child pornography shared over Telegram. 'I understand now what I didn't see before, is my complicity in this crime,' he wrote. Telegram, with its 'end-to-end encryption' feature, offers a level of privacy for text messages and video calls. In the government's sentencing memo, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cecelia Gregson labeled Meirhofer as 'a prolific child predator who terrorized numerous historical victims.' Gregson said Meirhofer raped three 13-year-olds in separate attacks in the late 1980s, when he's accused of also breaking into four homes in Washington. On July 18, 1987, Meirhofer stalked one 13-year-old boy in Bellingham and discovered where he lived, Gregson wrote in court documents. Later that night, he cut the home's phone line, then entered the house, held a knife to the boy's neck and kidnapped him, according to the filing. Meirhofer 'drove him to a location where he was drugged and repeatedly anally raped,' Gregson wrote. In 1988, Meirhofer was convicted on charges of burglary, kidnapping and rape, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Two years later, Meirhofer was convicted of first-degree burglary while armed with a deadly weapon and second-degree assault, prosecutors said. Meirhofer was 'civilly committed' in 2000 to McNeil Island's detention center before his release in 2017, according to prosecutors. Upon his release, he was registered as a level 3 sex offender in Washington, 'the level with the highest risk of reoffending,' prosecutors said. Afterward, Meirhofer continued to prey on children using platforms like Google and Instagram, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received 14 sexual exploitation-related tips linked to him, Miller said. While the administrator of the Telegram group, Meirhofer groomed teenage boys in Skagit County and invited them to his house, according to prosecutors. Skagit County is about a 100-mile drive northeast from Seattle. In trying to befriend them, he gave them 'gifts,' including alcohol, clothes, food, marijuana and money, prosecutors said. One boy who visited Meirhofer's house and 'borrowed' his phone discovered Meirhofer shared photos of the teen's friends in a group chat with other people, as well as child sexual abuse material, according to prosecutors. Meirhofer was taken into custody after the tip from the teen's mother, prosecutors said. His electronics were also 'seized.' Investigators learned that his Telegram group chat had two purposes: exchanging child pornography and coordinating relationships 'between adults and minors,' according to prosecutors. While arguing for a 15-year prison sentence, Gregson wrote in the government's sentencing memo that 'Alan Meirhofer represents every parents' worst nightmare and every child's boogeyman.' 'Decades of incarceration did not deter him from sexually exploiting children at the first opportunity provided,' Gregson said. Concerns or suspicions about child sexual exploitation can be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline online or by calling 1-800-843-5678. If you suspect a child has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect, your first step should be to contact the appropriate agency. The Child Welfare Information Gateway has a list of state agencies you can contact. Find help specific to your area here. For additional help, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline has professional crisis counselors available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 170 languages. All calls are confidential. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. You can call or text 1-800-422-4453. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please call 911 for help. Man planned Halloween 'sex party' to abuse child, feds say. He's convicted in FL Inmate makes thousands of calls to girl he's convicted of abusing in CA, feds say Kidnapped 10-year-old found 250 miles away with man met on Roblox, CA cops say Man exploits 16-year-old over Instagram, then flees his trial in CA, feds say
Press and Journal
16-05-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Mobile phone ban in Highland schools moves step closer as former teacher warns of 'catastrophic' effects on pupils
Highland Council will soon be asking for views on mobile phone-use in schools after an ex-teacher spoke of the 'catastrophic' effects they have in classrooms. Joint proposals tabled by Michael Gregson, who is now an Inverness councillor, to hold a consultation with the 'whole school community' on the use of devices have been unanimously approved. Included in the plan is the council's commitment to supporting Highland schools that decide to ban pupils from using the devices in classrooms. The proposals have not called for an outright ban, but the authors have made their voices clear that schools would be better without the 'constant distraction' of phones. Inverness councillor Mr Gregson, who previously taught at Inverness Royal Academy, highlighted the current effects of phone-use in classrooms to councillors. The former English teacher said 'we are in an age of fragmented attention span' and the 'highly addictive nature of smartphones is having a lasting effect on children's brains.' Mr Gregson described the current situation as 'catastrophic' and called for Highland Council to 'address the power of mobile phones.' He proposed the local authority consult the 'whole school community' and develop a policy for phones in schools which teachers could adopt or adapt. He referenced a recent workshop by Bernadette Cairns, the principal educational psychologist at the council, who found there to be 'dysregulation and disengagement' in Highland classrooms. Mr Gregson also referenced the current 'abusive use of mobile phones' in Scottish schools. It comes after a Moray teacher spoke out about being filmed in school and shared online by pupils without her consent. Aird and Loch Ness councillor Helen Crawford co-signed the proposals and said this was also an issue in Highland schools. She called unwarranted photos or videos of teachers in the classroom 'entirely inappropriate and disrespectful'. Councillor Crawford added the footage is used to 'bully or embarrass' teachers and hopes a ban on phones 'will ensure that comes to an end.' The newly agreed proposal will see the council seek 'meaningful conversations' with school managers, parents, teachers and pupils for their views on phone-use in schools. Both councillors stressed this does not necessarily mean an outright ban, but hopes a consultation will be a step towards getting 'these phones out of our schools.' Nairn Academy and Grantown Grammar School have both already implemented their own individual bans on phones. In the Highlands every child is given a Chromebook laptop, and both Mr Gregson and Mrs Crawford say this removes the 'need for phones as educational tools.' The cross-party proposal faced no opposition in the chamber and officers will begin work on preparing the consultation. Both Labour councillor Michael Gregson and Conservative councillor Helen Crawford said they were 'delighted.' Speaking after the result, Mrs Crawford said: 'I'm delighted that schools across Highland now have the full backing of Highland Council when they implement a ban on the use of mobile phones during the school day. 'At the end of the day, we want all our kids to thrive and having the constant distraction of a mobile phone clearly does not help.' She added: 'Let's get these phones out of our schools and let's free up our kids to concentrate and learn.'
Global News
27-04-2025
- Global News
Early morning Calgary stabbing leaves 1 person dead, another in hospital
A 21-year-old male is dead after a fight broke out in front of Commonwealth Bar & Stage early Saturday morning. In a release, the Calgary Police Service says they got the call at around 1:55 a.m., and Calgary police homicide unit Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson says the initial investigation is ongoing. 'It was at the end of the night,' explained Gregson. 'We know that there was a lot of people out, and from our initial review we've seen there was a lot of people that began to videotape this incident as it occurred.' Police say two victims with stab wounds were taken to hospital, but despite life-saving efforts performed by EMS, one victim was declared deceased upon arrival at Foothills Hospital. A potential third victim came to Foothills seeking medical attention related to a stabbing later. Story continues below advertisement Staff Sgt. Gregson was able to provide an update on their conditions. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'One remains in hospital in stable condition, and one's been released.' The canine unit was brought in to track down a number of people who fled the scene. Calgary police say they have four suspects currently in custody, and note they do not believe the fight was gang-related. 'There's nothing to say that this was a targeted event or that it was gang-involved,' Gregson said. 'I think this is gonna be an unfortunate tragic incident fueled by alcohol and ego.' Gregson couldn't provide many specific details as the investigation is ongoing but did mention it will take time. 'Our investigators have to speak with all the officers that attended, so it's a very time-consuming task,' said Gregson. 'In terms of speaking with everyone involved and reviewing all the information, and CCTV footage.' Calgary police are asking anyone with information, or video footage to contact Calgary police or Crime Stoppers.
The Guardian
18-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Liberal supporters launch election ad campaign against Peter Dutton's plan to build nuclear power plants
A group of Liberal supporters has launched an advertising campaign against the party's plan to build taxpayer-funded nuclear power plants, arguing it 'betrays Liberal values', divides the party and 'hands government back to Labor'. The new advocacy group Liberals Against Nuclear says it rejects the Coalition's policy as it would require the government to borrow tens of billions of dollars, swell the bureaucracy and impose 'massive taxpayer-backed risk'. Peter Dutton's proposal would involve eventually building nuclear reactors at seven sites across the country, mostly after 2040. In the short term, the Coalition says it would slow the rollout of renewable energy, attempt to extend the life of ageing coal-fired power plants and rely more on gas-fired power. The Liberals Against Nuclear spokesman is Andrew Gregson, a former Tasmanian Liberal director and candidate who said he was not currently a party member but remained a supporter. He declined to say how many supporters the group had or name other members, but said those involved were concerned the nuclear policy was driving 'free market and middle ground voters' to support 'teal' and other independent MPs in seats the Coalition must win to return to government. 'We're trying to save the party from a policy that will gift seats to their opponents,' he said. 'Nuclear technology itself isn't the issue. It's the socialist implementation being proposed that trashes Liberal values. 'If nuclear energy is so good then the market will back it without massive government intervention.' The group is running television, digital and billboard ads that argue 'many Liberals are against nuclear'. One of the ads shows a woman reading a newspaper article that quotes the Nationals senator Matt Canavan as saying 'nuclear fixes a political issue for us but ain't the cheapest form of power' and cites a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis that found the Coalition proposal would lead to a $665 increase in average power bills. The ads ask the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, to 'please dump nuclear'. Gregson said they would run across the country and be particularly targeted in marginal seats, including those held by teal MPs. He said the ads were aimed at the party, not voters. Liberals Against Nuclear said polling had suggested only 35% of Australians backed nuclear energy, and that support collapsed once voters understood the policy details. Its website raises concerns about the policy driving up national debt and creating safety and security risks. Gregson said dropping the policy would cause the Coalition a 'couple of days' worth of negative publicity' but would not cost it the election. 'Nuclear power is the big roadblock preventing the Liberals getting to The Lodge,' he said. Asked about the campaign on the Seven Network, Dutton said his policy was 'based on the international experience' and claimed it would bring electricity costs down by 44% and provide 'stability in the market'. The Climate Change Authority, a government agency, found the Coalition's proposal would add an extra 2bn tonnes of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and make it 'virtually impossible' for Australia to reach net zero by 2050, a position the opposition claims to support. Labor has a target of 82% of generation coming from renewable energy by 2030, up from the current level of nearly 45%. The authority said that under the Coalition's plan there would probably not be 82% of electricity from zero emissions technology – renewables and nuclear – until 2042. Independent experts have suggested the Coalition policy would likely lead to household power bills being higher than under Labor's policy as there would be less generating capacity competing in the grid. They have also said it would increase the risk of the electricity supply becoming unreliable at peak times as it was more reliant on old coal power plants that are nearing the end of their expected operating lives.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Investigators go over phone messages as Gillespie trial wraps up second day
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story contains graphic details and quotations contained in evidence of an ongoing first-degree murder trial involving the death a two-year-old child. Readers may find those details and quotations disturbing or offensive. CENTERVILLE — Investigators on Wednesday outlined an extensive exchange of messages from Roger Gillespie to the mother of a child that was fatally injured while in his care. After two-year-old Journey Marberry was transported from Gillespie's home at 1417 Drake Ave. to the MercyOne Centerville Medical Center, messages began flying from Gillespie's phone to Kaytee Gregson, Journey's mother who had went to the hospital to be with her daughter in the emergency room. "I want to put a f------ bullet in my own head only because she f------ fell...," Gillespie wrote in an early message to Gregson. "Mother f--- man all this is going to look so f------ negative," another message from Gillespie to Gregson said. Followed by a message which read, "And all you can do is think of yourself as usual." Gregson began to confront Gillespie over his story, that he was bathing Journey when he stepped out of the bathroom. He later heard a loud thud and returned to find Journey had fallen. "What happened because falling in the bathtub she shouldn't be like this Roger what the f--- happened?" Gregson sent to Gillespie. "I'm telling you right now if anything happened to my daughter I will kill you myself. She slipped in the bathtub before at my house. How deep is the water? What the f--- happened?" Gillespie continued to send messages laced with obscenities that shifted from accusations to supportive in the few hours following the incident. Gregson eventually blocked Gillespie on the Facebook Messenger app he was communicating with her on. The messages were included in an exhibit admitted by prosecutors Wednesday in the second day of the trial in which Gillespie faces charges of first-degree murder and child endangerment causing death. Prosecutors have charged Gillespie with the murder of Journey, who died on Jan. 27, 2024, after medical staff had removed her from life support so she could be declared an organ donor. A 30-year-old woman received her kidneys, Gregson said on the stand Wednesday. Gillespie has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Gregson had left Journey in Gillespie's care, which she had done before. The two had what Gregson considered a friendship, and Gillespie would babysit Journey and also had helped Gregson from time to time in other ways. She knew him originally because her son was friends with his son. On Jan. 19, 2024, Gillespie called 911 to report that Journey had fallen and was not responsive. He told the dispatcher that she may have been attempting to retrieve bath toys while bathing, and slipped. "She slipped and fell, and she seemed OK at first, but now she's not waking up," Gillespie told the dispatcher on a recording of the 911 call played in court Wednesday. "And then I put her back in the tub to try to wake her up, but she's breathing — but I don't f------ know what to do." An ambulance arrived a short time later and found Gillespie at the back door of the residence, and he pointed them to the direction of the bathroom. Centerville Fire Rescue EMT Jeremy Barber testified Wednesday that he was the first to find Journey, naked in the bathtub with water up to her ears. He said she was cold, displaying signs of posturing, her eyes closed and unresponsive. He found a towel to wrap her and immediately took her to the ambulance to begin administering care. Journey was transported to the hospital in Centerville, where she began undergoing further treatment and plans were made to transport her to a hospital better equipped to care for her injuries. Dr. David Rogan was in charge of the emergency department that day. He said it was clear early on that Journey was suffering from significant brain injury. He said this was evidenced by the fact she was posturing, which is a body's response to a brain injury that can cause arms to flex, hands to clinch into fists, and the body's limbs to extend and rotate. A CT scan on Journey's brain showed significant bleeding that was collecting in multiple areas outside of the blood vessels, Rogan testified. It also showed a fracture to the bone in the back of Journey's head. Rogan said he could not say for 100% certainty the injuries couldn't have been accidental, but said there were factors consistent with some form of abuse. "The fact that she had the occipital bone skull fracture and hematoma would be not very likely to have occurred by just a simple fall in a child that age," he said. Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Chris Spencer introduced jurors to the scene through photos, in addition to walking them through messages Gillespie sent to Gregson and others. Spencer outlined the many security cameras within the home. Some were connected to a cloud storage service, while others were not connected or were decoy cameras that weren't operable. Additional phone activity introduced showed that after Journey left for the hospital, beyond sending messages Gillespie's phone he also accessed an app which was connected to the cameras. Police said they located videos recorded prior to Jan. 19, 2024, but no videos on the day of Journey's injury. Other messages reviewed from Gillespie's messenger account to Gregson before the Jan. 19, 2024, incident included venting, information about Journey, or suggestions that Gregson have sexual activity with Gillespie. Gregson said she would ignore those sexual advances, stating she only desired to have a friendship with Gillespie. In the days before Jan. 19, 2024, Gillespie had notified Gregson of his plans to stop babysitting Journey. On the night of Jan. 18, 2024, Gillespie sent a message to Gregson that said, "If you really cared how much I've meant to you in life you should come up here right now and provide it..." He had no further communication with Gregson after that message until 1 p.m. the next day when he notified her that Journey was injured. The trial will continue at 9 a.m. Thursday. If convicted of murder, Gillespie faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The child endangerment charge is punishable by up to 50 years in prison.
