Latest news with #SexualAssaultNurseExaminer
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Baton Rouge man accused of raping autistic woman
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A man is behind bars after the Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) was asked to investigate a sexual battery at a home in the city. Micah Lang, 25, was arrested Monday, May 12 and charged with third-degree-rape/vaginal. Two officers arrived at the home a little after 2:30 a.m. and were told by the person who called police that her live-in boyfriend 'inappropriately touched her 23-year-old autistic and special needs daughter.' As the investigation unfolded, BRPD learned that Lang made the woman bend over inside the home and also touched her butt, stomach and breast. Lang was detained and questioned at the scene. He confirmed that the allegations were true but said it was consensual, according to the affidavit. The Baton Rouge man said he knew the woman was disabled and could not carry on a regular conversation. According to BRPD, the woman appeared to have the mentality of a young child. She was taken to a nearby hospital for a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) test, BRPD said. The affidavit states that BRPD found out during the investigation that Lang had taken the woman behind a shed in the backyard and had intercourse with her. Lang was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. 8 charged after child hurt during fight at Baton Rouge courthouse Walmart says it may raise prices Denver air traffic controllers scrambled to use backups after losing communications Monday Baton Rouge man accused of raping autistic woman Trump to house 7,500 soldiers for military parade in government office buildings: Report Porn would become crime under Republican proposal Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Opelika man's Uber dashcam shows alleged sex assault of unconscious woman
AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) — In a Lee County courtroom, the trial of 48-year-old Theodore Leroy Halls of Opelika continues to unfold with graphic evidence, digital forensics, and emotional testimony. Halls, a former Uber driver, is accused of raping two women in separate incidents in 2020 and 2022—both of whom, prosecutors say, were too intoxicated to consent. Central to the case is dashcam footage recovered from Halls' white GMC Yukon, which prosecutors say shows the assaults in disturbing detail. Halls faces five felony charges, including Rape 1st Degree, Sodomy 1st Degree, and Sexual Abuse 1st Degree. The trial opened with testimony from the woman at the center of the April 2022 case. She told jurors she had been drinking with friends and went to SkyBar in downtown Auburn. A friend ordered her an Uber for the ride home—but the next thing she remembers is waking up in a jail cell, feeling sore, noticing bruises and hickeys, and feeling 'gross.' She testified she does not remember getting into the Uber, kissing the driver, being taken to Aspen Heights, or the alleged sexual encounter that followed at Tuskegee National Forest. She also has no memory of being driven back to Aspen Heights, where she was reportedly dropped off after the assault. She does not recall knocking on a stranger's door or being arrested by Auburn Police for public intoxication. According to testimony, her blood alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit at the time of her arrest. The woman later learned she had been missing for about an hour, and her roommate had become alarmed. After discussing her concerns with her mother, she went to the hospital. There, she was examined by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). A sexual assault kit was performed, and evidence of a sexual encounter was confirmed. Before Dashcam Video Is Before jurors saw any of the dashcam footage, they heard from the second alleged victim, who had previously been unaware she was assaulted. She testified in 2022, Auburn Police contacted her after discovering a video on Halls' cell phone, recovered during the investigation into the 2022 case. She said she had no memory of any encounter with Halls or of being assaulted. When shown a still image from the video, she identified herself. She also told jurors after reviewing photos taken that night, she remembered being at Southeastern Bar in downtown Auburn in December 2020, celebrating a friend's law school graduation. The last thing she remembers, she testified, was getting a drink at the bar. She does not recall getting into an Uber, being taken home, or any sexual interaction. On Wednesday afternoon, jurors were shown approximately half of the dashcam footage from the 2022 incident. Prosecutors say the full video lasts about an hour. The footage shows the victim slumped in the back seat, unresponsive. Loud 1980s hairband music plays throughout, and the interior lights flash intermittently. When they arrive at Aspen Heights, Halls attempts to wake her. She becomes semi-conscious, leans forward, and begins kissing him. Halls is then seen telling the woman they are going somewhere, and he begins driving again. Prosecutors say he drove her to Tuskegee National Forest, where the alleged sexual assault occurred. During the drive, the victim appears unconscious for most of the trip. Halls can be seen groping her and is heard giving her explicit instructions while describing what he intended to do to her. The language is too graphic to share in this article. The court paused the video before its conclusion. Jurors are expected to return Thursday morning to view the remainder. They are also expected to see dashcam footage connected to the 2020 incident later in the trial. An electronic forensics expert from the Auburn Police Department testified Halls had intentionally deleted the dashcam video by formatting the SD card. However, forensic tools allowed investigators to recover the raw video files, even though they were no longer organized into folders. Before the video was shown, another digital forensics examiner with APD testified about Halls' internet search history, which included visits to pornographic websites featuring rideshare drivers taking advantage of intoxicated women. One particularly graphic search phrase read aloud in court was: 'Drunk girl molested by rednecks.' Investigators revealed other searches for jurors but they are too explicit to share in this article. Prosecutors argued the search history demonstrated motive and intent. Auburn Police Investigator Leslie Filgo, the lead case agent, also testified about her early phone conversations with Halls. She said Halls admitted he had a naked, drunk girl in his vehicle and told her he had video evidence from the dashcam he had installed. Though he initially offered to share the footage, Filgo said Halls later changed his story. 'He no longer had the video. It had been recorded over after a certain number of hours—it resets,' Filgo testified Halls told her. Despite that claim, Halls later consented to turn over the SD card. Investigators were able to recover the full footage. 'His story changed,' Filgo said. The defense maintains both encounters were consensual. Defense attorneys also questioned both women about civil cases filed against Uber. It was revealed in court the 2022 victim has already settled her case with Uber for an undisclosed amount. The 2020 victim's case is ongoing. During questioning, the defense appeared to suggest a financial settlement might depend on finding a sexual assault occurred. Prosecutors objected to that line of questioning. Meanwhile, Lee County Circuit Judge Jeffrey Tickal is taking deliberate steps to protect the integrity of the trial as graphic testimony and evidence continue to unfold. Cameras have been barred from the courtroom, and access to the media room has been restricted to maintain a controlled, respectful environment. Judge Tickal has also repeatedly reminded jurors not to discuss the case, conduct outside research, or view media coverage—underscoring the importance of an impartial and untainted verdict. These measures reflect the court's effort to handle sensitive content with discretion and uphold the fairness of the judicial process. The trial resumes Thursday morning, with jurors set to finish viewing the 2022 dashcam video and hear further witness testimony. Halls remains in custody at the Lee County Detention Facility without bond. It is not yet known whether he will take the stand in his own defense. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hearts of Hope offers aid and resources for sexual violence survivors
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Sexual violence is a sad reality for many that can be an uncomfortable conversation to have which makes it difficult for survivors to come forward. The local non-profit, Hearts of Hope helps survivors overcome these traumatic experiences and provide awareness for the Acadiana community. Jencie Olivier, Hearts of Hope Sexual Abuse Response Center Coordinator, said raising awareness and preventing sexual violence from impacting others is important. 'I know Acadiana is a small community and we all care about each other but we want people to know that sexual assault does happen in our community and there is a safe place for people to come,' Olivier said. One of the available resources Hearts of Hope provides is their 24-hour crisis line where a victim can receive answers to their questions, counseling and emotional support. The crisis line is operated by those who are ready and able to help and the service is confidential and free. La Jonction Earth Day Fair creates awareness with inaugural event Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'That crisis line is so important because you can call with a friend or you can call and ask us questions and nobody has to know exactly who you are,' Olivier said. 'So you are able to access sometimes those questions that may seem really scary and you don't want to say it out loud but you can say it behind the phone.' Another resource Hearts of Hope offers is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), a skilled nurse trained to educate survivors on their rights and provide the benefits of examination and treatment. After a survivor arrives at the emergency room, the hospital can call Hearts of Hope's 24-hour crisis line, where they can choose whether or not to receive the SANE's services and have an advocate who will standby ready to present options if the survivor needs them. 'A survivor advocate will be dispatched to emergency departments for all cases 24 hours a day in Lafayette, Iberia, and Vermilion parishes.' Oliver said. Louisiana senator authors bill modifying child abuse, neglect laws A survivor can also come to the Hearts of Hope location where they have resources to provide an exam if they call the 24-hour crisis line ahead of time so that an advocate can assist and provide all options available. If a survivor is not comfortable reporting to police in person, Hearts of Hope also offers other ways to help. The non-profit works closely with law enforcement to provide a response with safety and comfort for survivors. 'You file a police report here at our office so you won't have to go to the police station and you'll have an advocate with you while you make that report.' Olivier said. 'The advocate will help survivors find the right law enforcement agency to report and will guide them through the entire process. As advocates we are confidential and will not do anything without your permission or signed consent.' AI-generated child sexual abuse images are spreading. Law enforcement is racing to stop them Olivier emphasized the importance of having these conversations among the community. Although domestic violence is a very uncomfortable subject, spreading awareness provides help to survivors who might not have known of the resources available. 'When we go to events, initially people would not want to talk to us because we're the 'sexual assault people,'' Olivier said. 'We're an uncomfortable conversation, that you don't wanna believe that these kinds of things happen in your community, that they may happen in your family.' As a non-profit, Hearts of Hope offers many volunteer opportunities through events or becoming a crisis line advocate or ER advocate through training. Olivier said volunteers are always welcome. If you are interested in these opportunities you can contact them at info@ call the main office at 337-269-1557, or follow them on Facebook for more information on events. If you or anyone you know is a victim of sexual assault you can call Hearts of Hope's 24-hour crisis line at 337-233-7273 or a law enforcement agency. 'So we're kind of like a hidden joy,' Olivier said. 'You didn't know about us until you needed us. And then we kind of come in and help you and guide you through that process and we just want anybody and everybody to know that we're here to help.' Courts weigh White House workarounds to keep AP iced out SCOTUS to hear birthright citizenship case Trump administration issues ultimatum over Russia-Ukraine peace deal Sen. Van Hollen returns to the U.S. 'So annoying': Red Robin apologizes after website crashes during $20 'Bottomless Burger' promotion Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Canton man convicted of rape after five-day trial in Cherokee County
The Brief Ryan Daniel Borden was found guilty of rape by a Cherokee County jury after a five-day trial and three hours of deliberation. The trial included testimony from seven witnesses and 26 exhibits, such as forensic evidence and crime scene photographs. Borden's sentencing will be determined later by Superior Court Judge Jennifer L. Davis. CANTON, Ga. - A Cherokee County jury has found a Canton man guilty of rape following a five-day trial. Ryan Daniel Borden, 29, was convicted on March 21 after jurors deliberated for three hours. The backstory The case began on Nov. 6, 2021, when a woman told Canton police that Borden, an acquaintance, raped her in a Canton apartment early that morning. As part of the investigation, the victim underwent a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner exam to collect physical evidence. What we know Borden faced a single count of rape stemming from a 2021 assault. The trial, held from March 17–21, included testimony from seven witnesses, including the 911 caller, law enforcement officers, a sexual assault nurse, and a forensic biologist from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Prosecutors also introduced 26 exhibits, including forensic evidence, jail phone calls, and photographs of the crime scene. What's next Borden's sentencing will be scheduled at a later date by Superior Court Judge Jennifer L. Davis. The Source The Cherokee County District Attorney provided the details for this article. The mug shot of Ryan Daniel Borden was obtained from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former VB businessman sentenced in sexual assault case
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – A former Virginia Beach businessman, who was convicted of sexual assault, was sentenced to 15 years in prison today. According to a release from the Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, Benjamin Young, 45, was sentenced on charges of Forcible Sodomy and Object Sexual Penetration. Young was convicted of these charges after a jury trial which concluded on June 13, 2024. Previous Coverage: VB jury convicts former businessowner of sexual assault against former employee According to the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, evidence proved that in August 2022, Young hired the 19-year-old victim to work for his HVAC company, Hybrid Air. Young knew the victim from her previous job at a golf and yacht club, where Young frequently played golf. Young's company began having financial trouble and Young fired the victim within days of her time at Hybrid Air. He told her to come pick up her check a few days later, and she did so on Aug. 16, 2022. Prior to her arrival, Young retrieved her paycheck from the receptionist window in the lobby and took it to his office. When the victim arrived, Young brought her into his office to talk. After some small talk about the gym and body building, Young asked her if he could massage her leg. After massaging her leg and thigh, he sexually assaulted her. When the victim attempted to leave, she found the door was locked with a key code. Young told her, 'We should keep this between us,' before opening the door to the lobby and following her out to her car. Immediately after leaving the lobby, the victim called a friend and reported the assault before reporting it to her stepfather, who is a police officer, and her mother. She went to the Virginia Beach Detective Bureau to make a report and then underwent a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam. Samples were taken from her body and submitted to the Department of Forensic Science for analysis, and Young's DNA was a match to the samples taken from the victim's body. Young was sentenced to 60 years in prison with 45 years suspended, leaving 15 years to serve. He must also register as a sex offender, undergo sex offender treatment, and remain on good behavior for 45 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
