Does a convicted sex offender belong in a library as an employee? There's debate on the issue stemming from a woman being employed at the East Bonner County Library in Sandpoint Idaho.
The first question here would have to be... just how did this woman get out of a 10 to 15 year sentence in exchange for a 1 year sentence? At least that would be one of my biggest concerns here. There's no doubt that if she had been made to serve that time in full.... she wouldn't be working in a library this side of the jailhouse door.
The other question is, as stated before- does she have the right to work in a library? Should she be there with children, many of who I would assume are going to be near her victims age, which also happens to be around the say age that parents encourage a little more freedom and perhaps would think leaving a child to study there alone is quite safe.
Clearly, by the reply to a letter of concern sent a patron of the library- the library's human resource manager, Craig Hofmeister finds no issue with Kristine Lutes working there:
That's one letter I would like to see in full. I would say that a woman who evidently feels that engaging in indecent activities with a child, and encouraging her spouse to do the same is acceptable behavior- poses a risk. That's not the type of learning environment I'd want my kids in.
Categories: women, molesters, predators,
In January 2004, Kristine Lutes -- and her husband, Richard Brandon Lutes -- pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a Bonner County girl when she was 14 years old. The couple -- who were engaged to be married -- initially faced as many as 41 felony sex counts, including rape and lewd conduct, when they were charged in the summer of 2002.Charging papers alleged they had sexual contact with the teen between November 1999 and April 2000 when the girl was 14 and 15 years old. A second lewd conduct charge against Lutes -- who was then Kristine Patricia Lund -- was filed because she allegedly assisted and encouraged her fiance to commit lewd acts on the girl.The teenager told authorities she engaged in group sex with the couple on at least two occasions. Methamphetamine and pornographic movies were apparently involved in some of the sexual encounters. The couple later reached a plea agreement with the state and were sentenced to 10- and 15-year prison sentences in July 2003, but District Judge Steve Verby agreed during sentencing to retain jurisdiction.Convicted of one count of sexual abuse, Lutes served six months at the South Boise Women's Correctional Center. Verby later sentenced her to a year of local jail time with no work release, 15 years of supervised probation, fined $5,000 and ordered her to complete 500 hours of community service. Her husband was convicted of three counts of sexually abusing a minor and is currently serving a 10 -15 year prison term. Full Story
The first question here would have to be... just how did this woman get out of a 10 to 15 year sentence in exchange for a 1 year sentence? At least that would be one of my biggest concerns here. There's no doubt that if she had been made to serve that time in full.... she wouldn't be working in a library this side of the jailhouse door.
The other question is, as stated before- does she have the right to work in a library? Should she be there with children, many of who I would assume are going to be near her victims age, which also happens to be around the say age that parents encourage a little more freedom and perhaps would think leaving a child to study there alone is quite safe.
Clearly, by the reply to a letter of concern sent a patron of the library- the library's human resource manager, Craig Hofmeister finds no issue with Kristine Lutes working there:
"library has a policy of thoroughly investigating all potential employees (and volunteers who might be working with children) before they're allowed to begin work."Anything that is revealed through the criminal background check is thoroughly investigated to assure patrons and staff are not exposed to risk."
That's one letter I would like to see in full. I would say that a woman who evidently feels that engaging in indecent activities with a child, and encouraging her spouse to do the same is acceptable behavior- poses a risk. That's not the type of learning environment I'd want my kids in.
Categories: women, molesters, predators,
Comments
Children and young adults spend an inordinate amount of time in libraries unattended and it places a big responsibility on those of us who, even though we know we technically aren't, feel responsible for their wellbeing.
As if the "men" surfing questionable websites while looking at small kids in the computer area isn't enough, now we would have to be watching the staff too?