15 year-old gang raped in FL…5 men go free
June 8, 2009
by Amy Siskind
|We’ve just been informed of a horrific case. A 15 year-old woman who was gang raped by five men. While these scumbags were attacking her, they also thought it would be fun to capture the attack on film, so they took digital photos. This poor girl, like most victims of rape, did not want to press charges, so the police are dropping the case!
Read from the local CBS affiliate:
The Broward State Attorney’s Office has decided not to file criminal charges against two of the men accused of participating in the rape of a 15-year-old girl.
The state attorney’s office said the victim in the case has been uncooperative.
James Hunte and Ryan Johnson will not face charges, even though Plantation Police reports indicated that both men admitted receiving a sex act from the girl.
And there’s more:
All the while, the teen said the men snapped photos of the activities. Police recovered a digital camera at the crime scene and discovered photos of the girl engaged in sex acts.
Well, here’s the facts: 73% of violence against women goes unreported. 61% of unreported incidents of violence were because victims “think the police won’t believe them.” according to the National Institute of Justice.
So who can blame this poor child. She is probably terrified. Imagine the physical and emotional anguish.
This somewhat reminds me of the case of NY State Senator Hiram Monserrate – who allegedly attacked his girlfriend – she also did not want to cooperate with the police (this is very typical). But as parts of the attack were captured by video cameras, the Queens DA went on with the case nonetheless.
How can the Broward Country State Attorney General drop this case? Shame!
Please, please, please write a letter for us to sign, addressed to the appropriate person in the Broward State Attorney’s Office. I don’t have time to write it but I’ll sure as HELL sign it.
I agree with Ruth. I’d love to see New Agenda focus on this as they are doing with Monserrate.
This is heart wrenching and infuriating. I don’t know what to say.
This is what I found on the internet–pretty much what Amy wrote. I’m not clear on why she has to cooperate with the police in order for arrests to be made. They have photos.
I will explore it further and put together a letter.
Marjorie
Broward State Attorney’s Office declines to file charges in Plantation rape case
By Juan Ortega | Sun Sentinel
4:55 PM EDT, June 3, 2009
PLANTATION – The Broward State Attorney’s Office says a 15-year-old girl who said she was gang-raped in an apartment is not cooperating with authorities, so prosecutors have declined to file charges against two men in the case.
Plantation police in May arrested James Hunte Jr., 24, and Ryan Ashley Johnson, 23, both of Plantation, on charges of lewd or lascivious battery, Broward court records show.
Hunte was released May 23 after posting $10,000 bond, jail officials said. In such cases in which prosecutors decline to pursue charges, a suspect could be reimbursed bond money.
Johnson has been at Broward County’s Main Jail. His arrest report shows he also was held in connection with an unrelated drug case.
The teen had told police up to six men raped her.
The State Attorney’s Office said Wednesday it is continuing to review the circumstances regarding the other suspects. They have not been arrested.
I can write a letter. Does anyone have any suggestions, etc. Michael Satz is the State Attorney for the 17th Judicial Court in Broward County; his office has a Sexual Battery/Child Abuse Unit and he is one of the founders of Broward’s Sexual Assault Treatment Center. Sounds like the person to address.
Again, any ideas, suggestions?
Marjorie
Marjorie,
Maybe you can set up one of those e-petition type things in the format of a letter that we can post as a blog story and have folks sign.
Some other thoughts here:
http://www.whataboutourdaughte.....e-broward/
Wow! “What about our daughters. . . ” is great!
Here is what I wrote. Anyone who wishes can make suggestions for changes. Or I can let it go and add my name to “what about our daughters”.
Michael J. Satz, 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Broward County Courthouse
210 Southeast 6th St.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
We are concerned about the release by the Plantation Police Department of two men, James Hunt and Ryan Johnson, who, along with four more men, committed gang rape against a fifteen year old girl. Both Hunt and Johnson admitted to committing sex acts on the 15 year old girl, but no charges were filed against them, and the two men have been released.
The reason given by the police for Hunt and Johnson’s release was the 15 year old victim’s failure to cooperate with the police. A 15 year old girl who has been gang raped is in no psychological or emotional condition to present a case as to why the two men should be arrested. Further, as they admitted to sex acts with the 15 year old girl, it is not clear why any more cooperation should be required of her.
Can we assume the four other men are in police custody and will be charged with the gang rape of a 15 year old girl?
The gang rape of a 15 year old girl is sickening. The fact that the men took photos of the rapes indicates their lack of concern they can be charged with their crimes.
I’m not hungary for lunch anymore…that is just sickening. When will the letter be available to sign?
I just reread “What about our daughters.” The sense of futility disturbs me. I used to work in an inner-city evaluating funded projects. Reading “what about our daughers” reminded me how all of the political/social currents pull groups in different directions. What appeared to be an idea or act that will change directions turns to ashes.
I read about “the cultural construction of reality” in grad school. I am often reminded what a powerful impact culture has and how it does create our reality. I mention it because perhaps it helps to understand “What about. . .” We are all women, and it is our common ground–the place we begin with change. Now here’s where it gets sticky in this situation: “What about…” points out if black men are arrested the NAACP will protest. NAACP is one of those social currents that has the capacity to pull in one given direction or another. Why isn’t the NAACP speaking out for the 15 year old? Because she isn’t being discriminated against. But if they do support the men who raped her against “white” laws, who will protect the 15 year old girl?
Marjorie,
Do you know how to turn this into an eletter that we all can sign? If not, can we track down an email or phone number so members can send this letter via email and call?
Anna–and everyone interested in the letter,
Do we want to go ahead with it in light of the warning from “What about our daughters?” Will we be meddling in a situation we don’t fully understand and bring trouble down on the head of the 15 year old girl?
Can we discuss this a bit?
I’m no lawyer, but in the case of Monserrate and Chris Brown/Rihanna, the DA pressed charges on their own without the victim wanting to do so (and with Monserrate she is not cooperating). So I’m not sure about this – but not sure why the victim needs to be involved at all.
If anyone wishes to sign this below the letter, I will send it off by Wednesday.
Or if you wish you can copy the letter into an email for Larry Massey, Chief of Police
OR copy the letter on an email and send it to: Becky Slack, who appears to have some kind of helping position
Michael J. Satz, 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Broward County Courthouse
210 Southeast 6th St.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
We are concerned about the release by the Plantation Police Department of two men, James Hunt and Ryan Johnson, who, along with four more men, committed gang rape against a fifteen year old girl. Both Hunt and Johnson admitted to committing sex acts on the 15 year old girl, but no charges were filed against them, and the two men have been released.
The reason given by the police for Hunt and Johnson’s release was the 15 year old victim’s failure to cooperate with the police. A 15 year old girl who has been gang raped is in no psychological or emotional condition to present a case as to why the two men should be arrested. Further, as they admitted to sex acts with the 15 year old girl, it is not clear why any more cooperation should be required of her.
Can we assume the four other men are in police custody and will be charged with the gang rape of a 15 year old girl?
The gang rape of a 15 year old girl is sickening. The fact that the men took photos of the rapes indicates their lack of concern they can be charged with their crimes.
Marjorie Merithew
Here in Calif you do not need a victim to testify if you have other probative evidence ie the video tapes and prior statements of the victim. In Domestic Violence cases here in Calif ie Rhianna, a statement by a victim made to the police can be used in lieu of the victim’s testimony if she become recalcitrant, likewise crime scene photos testimony of third parties etc… so the case doesn’t go away if the victim does not testify although admittedly the case becomes tougher to prosecute- in Calif the rape of the 15 year old would proceed with the apparently abundant other evidence
Amy,
I cannot (yet) figure out the petition thing. However, anyone who wishes can copy the above petition and send to off to the circuit court or copy it into an email and send it to the Plantation police chief or Becky Slack, a Plantation police employee.
All of the addresses are in place.
So its okay to rape someone? They also used a gun to commit this sad crime…they should be prosecuted just for the fact that she is 15 and their over 18….the pictures isent that considered pornography…they get off they will do it again ryan johnson is a career criminal and they both admitted to having sex with this girl. One guy got out on bail do you think he might have scared her? How can they get away this is just disturbing.
I don’t know if we should be meddling in this situation. But other people might start thinking that they can get away with rape. I feel really terrible about all this, I will be praying for this girl and her family.
Insanity. Even if two of the men hadn’t confessed, what has the victim’s cooperation got to do with it? Had they killed her, she couldn’t accuse them. So that would be that? It’s not a personal injury lawsuit. Rape is a CRIME against not just this individual child, but against society as well.
This cooperation nonsense stems from the same old blame-the-victim mindset overriding everything about assaults on women. Just like the biblical injunction that she must cry out. If she didn’t, she must have liked it.
*****A
Again–if you wish to protest the release of the two men, you may copy the following letter and mail it to Michael J. Satz. Also, the Plantation Police Department employs a Juvenile Advocate, Becky Slack–telephone number 954 797 2172. I called yesterday and was asked to leave a message and didn’t.
Michael J. Satz, 17th Judicial Circuit Court
Broward County Courthouse
210 Southeast 6th St.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
We are concerned about the release by the Plantation Police Department of two men, James Hunt and Ryan Johnson, who, along with four more men, committed gang rape against a fifteen year old girl. Both Hunt and Johnson admitted to committing sex acts on the 15 year old girl, but no charges were filed against them, and the two men have been released.
The reason given by the police for Hunt and Johnson’s release was the 15 year old victim’s failure to cooperate with the police. A 15 year old girl who has been gang raped is in no psychological or emotional condition to present a case as to why the two men should be arrested. Further, as they admitted to sex acts with the 15 year old girl, it is not clear why any more cooperation should be required of her.
Can we assume the four other men are in police custody and will be charged with the gang rape of a 15 year old girl?
The gang rape of a 15 year old girl is sickening. The fact that the men took photos of the rapes indicates their lack of concern they can be charged with their crimes.
Update (sort of) on the gang rape case:
I spoke with Becky Slack, Plantation Police Juvenile Advocate (tel.954 797 2172) this morning. She said she is not very familiar with the case but believes the release of the two accused rapists does not mean they will not be charged. She also said the last information she had regarding the other four was that they have not yet been found.
She gave me the name of the Police Detective working the case: Mike Jasinski. I called (she rang me through so I do not have his tel.#) and got a “leave a message” message. I chose not to.
The Plantation Florida Police Department’s zip code is 33317, if anyone care to write to Mike Jasinski directly.
I will send off the letter I posted to Satz, 17th Judicial Circuit Court this afternoon, as well as one to Mike Jasinski.
Info on Michael J. Satz, 17th Judicial Circuit Court on the internet includes his involvement in a program through the State Attorney’s office to institute a Victim Advocate Unit and Resource Center to “provide a safe environment for victims and their families during all court proceedings.”
I plan to refer to the Resource Center in my letters and inquire whether the 15 year old female victim of the gang rape is being protected.
I also plan to get some tutoring in the construction and operations of petitions on the internet. Any volunteers?
Marjorie
majorie, thanks for leaving phone number and names to call.
Should we write a letter to NAACP and ask whether the perception that they would defend AA gang rapers is correct?
remember the case of a group of white male college boys and the accused rape. they got a trial. so why not the other way around?
also, are there any rape crisis centers locally? the victim needs support, a lot of support. I volunteered in the 70ies for the rape crisis center in Heidelberg. can we as TNA help expend current rape crisis centers?
I do not understand why they are not charged either, since there are pictures. In some parts of the country, if there is a domestic disturbance, the perp is charged regardless of the target’s imput. There was a young woman in my area that was raped by several members of the college baseball team/or friends of the team, she was unconscious. These boobs also filmed the event and the girl was rescued by two members of the woman’s soccer team who broke the door to the bedroom down and took the 17 year old to the hosptial. The DA, who is female, I might add, decided not to pursue the matter; this happened on the heels of the Duke Lacrosse incident. The soccer players were willing to testify, but the charges were dropped.
The problem is two fold–too many men are boy scouts and feel that if they would not do something of this nature, nobody else would so it is a fictional event and they do not police their brothers. The men who rape do not believe in the basic humanity of anyone that does not share their packaging. They are amoral and feel that if they are able to get away with it, it can not be wrong. Who cares if they screw up the life a woman or child? It is all about them and their instant gratification.
If rape were considred a civil rights violation or a hate crime instead of a sex crime, it would be taken more seriously. But since it is couched in a sexual act and women do not count, who cares? Remember the old, “if rape is ineveitable, relax and enjoy it” joke? One of the most personal decisions that a person can make is whether or not to have sex, and their choice of a partner. But our society considers us of such little value, that tries to silence and tell us that we should not have that choice, that basic human right. We owe society a raspberry.
Marille,
Are you asking about the NAACP because of the comment on the “What about our daughters” blog? I think that comment on the “what about our daughters” blog was a warning to not get involved in something beyond our cultural understanding.
the gang rape was sickening and we all fear for our daughters and all females, and that is my motivation for writing letters and involvement. I usually have a problem separating my motivation from an appropriate course of action. I’d like to limit a protest to inquiring why the rapists were released. As least until we learn more.
What do you think?
Majorie
I think your letter is not portraying the outrage about letting gang go without investigation or any consequence. but even showing that somebody cares and notices is better than not responding.
For Bruce, up above – I’m a rape/DV advocate, and it’s my understanding is different than yours about CA law. It’s true that police can now prosecute DV without the woman pressing charges, but not rape. If she doesn’t follow through, the police can’t charge. I believe the intent was to protect the woman – she has been violated by the rapist, and we work very hard to put the control back in her hands by emphasizing that all the next steps are up to her. If they made the law require them to press charges without her consent, it would be like a further violation.
canaan-
This is a case of a 15 year old being raped–not a woman (outrageous if a woman, too).
Would the charge be rape in this case? She is a minor. She has no “control”. This is major child abuse, isn’t it? Also, she was gang raped by six men. We talk about retaliation if charges are pressed against a rapist, but six rapists?
The situation appears to me to be a 15 year old child (15 year old people are children) who is expected to exercise control over six men after after she presses charges against them.
This little girl happens to be my niece. We need all the support from the community we can get. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE write letters, talk to anyone that has an upper hand. I know she is lost in her own world, and as a minor I think it should be a given that these creeps are charged REGARDLESS of her cooperation or not. What about all the others this can happen to?? What about all the others IT HAS happend to????
the reson why she did not press charges is becuase her parents never took her back to the court for the hearings!!
she wanted to but her parents did not let her becuase of fear of retaliation
Stefanie,
If you want to write a note about where folks could send letters, send it to our editor address below and we can put it up as a blog post.
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