Feds Uncover Child-Molesting Den After Border Arrest
The arrest of a man returning from Mexico with a boy on his lap led to a video-equipped warehouse outfitted for children, federal authorities said Tuesday. The man is suspected of molesting nearly a dozen children.
* * *
Authorities have identified between eight and 11 children who are believed to have been molested by Buchanan, both boys and girls ranging in age from 2 to 15, Unzueta said.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Detective Steve Burgrass said Buchanan rented property to low-income families, won the parents' trust and showered the children with gifts. One received clothing, a dirt bike and video games, he said.
"He would pick [the children] up at the house, take them shopping, take them to the amusement park and then take them home to spend the night," said Burgrass, who has identified at least five victims and said there may be more.
Authorities said some parents — it was unclear how many — had complained to child protection officials about Buchanan. Burgrass said one parent who complained was a tenant.
* * *
The home's driveway begins at a black gate with the letter 'B' on it. On one side of a long cement driveway, there is a neat row of palm trees and a cement stage that holds an old fire truck and rusty machinery.
The property, which appears to be about five acres, is filled with old metal bars and building materials, a tow truck, a metal trailer, a truck that reads Buchanan Enterprises and lots of trees and scrub. There is a middle school down the street.
ICE officials initially said parents of some alleged victims may have lived on the property, but later said it was unclear if any of the children living on the property were victims.
According to the affidavit, a 15-year-old boy told investigators that Buchanan molested him two to three times a month for the last three years at homes in Mexico, Arkansas and California.
Buchanan had property in Bloomington and Hot Springs, Ark., Unzueta said.
* * *
Inspectors arrested Buchanan as he drove a 1992 Ford Econoline van across the border with the 5-year-old Hispanic boy from Riverside County sitting on his lap, authorities said. They seized a videotape that appeared to show Buchanan fondling a boy who seemed to be "sleeping or heavily sedated," according to the complaint.
* * *
Buchanan was being held at Imperial County Jail in El Centro, Mack said. A hearing was scheduled July 18.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203130,00.html