GUILTY FL - Fred Laster, 16, found dismembered, Lake City, 5 June 1994 *youth pastor arrest*

[JasonFutchLakeCityFL]

Hey everyone!

Quick update: the new Lake City John Doe/Ron Hyde case website is about to be completed and should be live either tonight or by the start of the weekend! This site is going to have COMPLETE details of the case that are MUST READ!

I want to thank DaisyChains for being helpful as this site is revealed. Also, a big thanks to JaxFlaGal for her contribution to the site with her detailed timeline!

This site will also feature photographs of the key players in this case; as well as accounts of the investigation you will only find here.

A memorial to Fred Laster is also being worked out; just waiting to hear back from the Laster family on writing an official tribute to their brother.

All this and more coming up!

 

[JasonFutchLakeCityFL]

THE WEBSITE IS NOW LIVE!!!

The link is: WWW.LAKECITYJOHNDOE.WEEBLY.COM
We have also included a Guestbook for visitors to share their condolences and thoughts to Fred Laster's family. I can assure everyone the Laster family will be able to see these entries. The link for the guestbook is: http://users3.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i=g36-26565-89

I hope everyone finds very useful information on this website. There are more detailed explanations in this site that you will not find on Websleuths or anywhere else. Please let me know what you all think about the site! There is alot to read!

Jason

 

[JasonFutchLakeCityFL]

DISCUSSION: WHAT HAPPENED TO FRED LASTER?

Hey fellow sleuthers, hope you all have been well!

I want to take a moment to open some dialogue for those following this case closely. It has been a wild couple of months since the 1994 Lake City John Doe was identified as 16-year-old Fred Laster, and Ronnie Hyde was arrested for the murder. Since this time, it has prompted tons of questions not just from followers, but also the family of Fred Laster.

Lately, I have had the privilege of getting to know Fred's older brother who lives in Fernandina Beach. I will not say his name for privacy sake. The Laster family has been going through an emotional roller coaster since Fred was identified behind closed doors and with tons of red tape. NAMUS, NCMEC, FDLE and CCSO still had the Lake City John Doe posters up even after all this to conceal the fact that they were narrowing in on Ronnie Hyde; which also helped the family privately grieve.

I had a conversation with the brother and he asked me, "What do you think Ronnie did to my brother's remains?" And I gave him a few possibilities; but according to a source familiar with the case, no body parts were found on the grounds of both of Hyde's properties. So my first question to this group: What do you think happened to his brother's remains?

Secondly, we also spoke about the fact that there was no official cause of death for Fred Laster. According to the Medical Examiner's findings as well as Dr. William Maples', the dismemberment occurred after death (post-mortem dismemberment). There was no known hostility at the time between Fred and Ronnie; although for the longest time the family found Ronnie to be an odd number. So my second question to everyone is: What was Hyde's reasoning for murdering Fred Laster and dismembering him?

Please share your thoughts here! I will share my theories pretty soon because boy, I have a number of them!

Jason

 

[cvaldez1975]

i think that Ronnie was attempting to seduce or rape Fred and Fred fought back, so he strangled him. I think he disposed of the rest of his remains in another dumpster not too far off, but they were bagged and then taken by trash hauler to a landfill and that is why never found.

it is also possible that fred had been sleeping w Ronnie and threatened to expose this for some reason and Ronnie silenced him as above.

i wish peace for his poor family

DISCUSSION: WHAT HAPPENED TO FRED LASTER?

Hey fellow sleuthers, hope you all have been well!

I want to take a moment to open some dialogue for those following this case closely. It has been a wild couple of months since the 1994 Lake City John Doe was identified as 16-year-old Fred Laster, and Ronnie Hyde was arrested for the murder. Since this time, it has prompted tons of questions not just from followers, but also the family of Fred Laster.

Lately, I have had the privilege of getting to know Fred's older brother who lives in Fernandina Beach. I will not say his name for privacy sake. The Laster family has been going through an emotional roller coaster since Fred was identified behind closed doors and with tons of red tape. NAMUS, NCMEC, FDLE and CCSO still had the Lake City John Doe posters up even after all this to conceal the fact that they were narrowing in on Ronnie Hyde; which also helped the family privately grieve.

I had a conversation with the brother and he asked me, "What do you think Ronnie did to my brother's remains?" And I gave him a few possibilities; but according to a source familiar with the case, no body parts were found on the grounds of both of Hyde's properties. So my first question to this group: What do you think happened to his brother's remains?

Secondly, we also spoke about the fact that there was no official cause of death for Fred Laster. According to the Medical Examiner's findings as well as Dr. William Maples', the dismemberment occurred after death (post-mortem dismemberment). There was no known hostility at the time between Fred and Ronnie; although for the longest time the family found Ronnie to be an odd number. So my second question to everyone is: What was Hyde's reasoning for murdering Fred Laster and dismembering him?

Please share your thoughts here! I will share my theories pretty soon because boy, I have a number of them!

Jason

 

[MaryG12]

i think that Ronnie was attempting to seduce or rape Fred and Fred fought back, so he strangled him. I think he disposed of the rest of his remains in another dumpster not too far off, but they were bagged and then taken by trash hauler to a landfill and that is why never found.

it is also possible that fred had been sleeping w Ronnie and threatened to expose this for some reason and Ronnie silenced him as above.

i wish peace for his poor family

That is my theory too, Ronnie was a pedophile and murderer.

I feel so bad for Fred's family.

 

[Jaxbeach]

A few thoughts.

Regarding the question of the victim's missing remains, if the suspect is indeed guilty, he would likely be, as professionals suggest, a psychopath or sociopath. Therefore toying with others would be likely. When questioned the suspect may have indeed been telling others the truth about where he dropped the victim off. Off of this bridge, off at that bridge, at this place and the other.

Regarding the lack of water in the Jax Beach house, it maybe the case that the home had and older style heat pump AC, and well water was being used. A sprinkler was known to run in the center of the front yard, either way my research indicates water was not missing the entire past 12 years.

A question that seems disregarded in much discussion regarding this case, is why did the victims brother live in the home with the suspect on and off for a decade. Why does this brother and his wife's voter registration show the RH house in JB, as their address as recently as the 2000's. (Google names and /or address)

It seems like some revisionist history could be in play, by family members of both the victim and the suspect. For example, why did the victim's brother live with the suspect for years if the entire family was so sure of the suspect from the time the victim disappeared.

A curious question that comes to mind is why did the suspects father suddenly move from the home to live with his late wife's relatives at about the same time the victim disappeared. What do the members know about the father? What did he do for a living? Was he retired? Did he attend the Church also?

Muddy research indicates a middle aged man (at that time) who lived in the JB house behind the RH house, may have disappeared in the 80's. Someone was told by his daughter in the late 90's that he had just gone back then, and was not heard of. It is unclear as to whether he had another known residence in the interim between living in the jax beach home and going missing.

It seems obvious to me that a murder trial could not go to completion with a guilty verdict on the basis of the shirt dna alone. By this I am suggesting proving the shirt belonged to suspect, with whom the victim was hanging around and staying in the home of, does not by itself that the suspect murdered the victim. The shirt may have been worn by the victim when he was killed by another. I would imagine this is the thinking of the suspects lawyer when she said on the news, that there was no evidence her client killed the victim.

Having been arrested for this crime is no small affair, the suspect is losing career, reputation, possibly his homes etc., Everything. This being the case, I would imagine law enforcement, would feel they were pretty sure before making such an arrest. This combined with the quite lengthy time lapses between, the body being ID'd, the collection of DNA from suspects trash, and then another lengthy time gap before arrest, seems to indicate other evidence is in play. Any guesses as to what they have, and would have had prior to searching home post arrest?

If he is indeed guilty, it may be fortunate if the charges hold up and put him away, because a murder conviction seems unlikely based on the shirt, and a mismatched vin number.

 

[JasonFutchLakeCityFL]

A few thoughts.

Regarding the question of the victim's missing remains, if the suspect is indeed guilty, he would likely be, as professionals suggest, a psychopath or sociopath. Therefore toying with others would be likely. When questioned the suspect may have indeed been telling others the truth about where he dropped the victim off. Off of this bridge, off at that bridge, at this place and the other.

Regarding the lack of water in the Jax Beach house, it maybe the case that the home had and older style heat pump AC, and well water was being used. A sprinkler was known to run in the center of the front yard, either way my research indicates water was not missing the entire past 12 years.

A question that seems disregarded in much discussion regarding this case, is why did the victims brother live in the home with the suspect on and off for a decade. Why does this brother and his wife's voter registration show the RH house in JB, as their address as recently as the 2000's. (Google names and /or address)

It seems like some revisionist history could be in play, by family members of both the victim and the suspect. For example, why did the victim's brother live with the suspect for years if the entire family was so sure of the suspect from the time the victim disappeared.

A curious question that comes to mind is why did the suspects father suddenly move from the home to live with his late wife's relatives at about the same time the victim disappeared. What do the members know about the father? What did he do for a living? Was he retired? Did he attend the Church also?

Muddy research indicates a middle aged man (at that time) who lived in the JB house behind the RH house, may have disappeared in the 80's. Someone was told by his daughter in the late 90's that he had just gone back then, and was not heard of. It is unclear as to whether he had another known residence in the interim between living in the jax beach home and going missing.

It seems obvious to me that a murder trial could not go to completion with a guilty verdict on the basis of the shirt dna alone. By this I am suggesting proving the shirt belonged to suspect, with whom the victim was hanging around and staying in the home of, does not by itself that the suspect murdered the victim. The shirt may have been worn by the victim when he was killed by another. I would imagine this is the thinking of the suspects lawyer when she said on the news, that there was no evidence her client killed the victim.

Having been arrested for this crime is no small affair, the suspect is losing career, reputation, possibly his homes etc., Everything. This being the case, I would imagine law enforcement, would feel they were pretty sure before making such an arrest. This combined with the quite lengthy time lapses between, the body being ID'd, the collection of DNA from suspects trash, and then another lengthy time gap before arrest, seems to indicate other evidence is in play. Any guesses as to what they have, and would have had prior to searching home post arrest?

If he is indeed guilty, it may be fortunate if the charges hold up and put him away, because a murder conviction seems unlikely based on the shirt, and a mismatched vin number.

Jaxbeach, awesome analysis!

Some of these questions are probably going to be answered as time goes on; but for now we must patiently wait.

I am still trying to get some kind of clarification on the brother living with Ron Hyde thing. I will state for the record that the brother I have been speaking with is not the one that lived with Hyde; however in the past, he did house work on the Thelma Street residence in the early 90's prior to Fred's disappearance. It was merely painting but the house they were working on was pretty much a dump except for the AC system that was installed. The brother assumed that the system was more than the house itself!

In regards to evidence, a bathmat, egg-crate style mattress, knives and gloves were found at the scene along with the shirt. I think the knives would play a vital role in this. According to the testimony from the brother that lived with Hyde, Hyde owned Ginsu knives; the same knives found at the scene. Also you must keep in mind that the Camaro WAS SEEN by a witness driving by that morning. He even described the colors, which practically matched the color scheme of Hyde's Camaro--22 years before Hyde was even considered a suspect by the Columbia County Sheriffs Office.

The Digby Hyde event did intrigue me. I must ask you how did you know Digby went to his deceased wife's family in Georgia? I had a discussion with the brother about this too and we were wondering where he went the last years of his life. One of my theories were that Ron Hyde could not take care of him alone, or so Digby thought and considered it was best to stay with others who could. Along with that, we felt that his health was probably not the best and so he moved there and left the homes and vehicle to Ron because he could no longer handle it. But for now that's the best reason we can come up with. I am aware that Digby did leave prior to Fred Laster's disappearance; so I highly doubt Digby Hyde was involved in Fred's death.

According to all the evidence gathered and with the incoming information that will soon follow shortly, I can bet that the evidence is stacked and damning against Ronnie Hyde.Regardless of the outcome, Hyde will go to prison. If in the unlikely event he isn't charged for the murder, he still goes to prison for child .

I can bet that if he gets a plea deal, it will be a deal involving a reduced sentence and the recovery of the rest of Fred's remains (if they are still around). Also, it is possible he can get the charges reduced on the child to one count (either way the minimum for child in Florida is 30 years). I am doubting that they can reduce the murder charge to 3rd degree because the dismemberment kinda proves that this was a premeditated murder even though the dismemberment occurred after death. There was probably some planning involved.

 

[Jaxbeach]

Jaxbeach, awesome analysis!

Some of these questions are probably going to be answered as time goes on; but for now we must patiently wait.

I am still trying to get some kind of clarification on the brother living with Ron Hyde thing. I will state for the record that the brother I have been speaking with is not the one that lived with Hyde; however in the past, he did house work on the Thelma Street residence in the early 90's prior to Fred's disappearance. It was merely painting but the house they were working on was pretty much a dump except for the AC system that was installed. The brother assumed that the system was more than the house itself!

In regards to evidence, a bathmat, egg-crate style mattress, knives and gloves were found at the scene along with the shirt. I think the knives would play a vital role in this. According to the testimony from the brother that lived with Hyde, Hyde owned Ginsu knives; the same knives found at the scene. Also you must keep in mind that the Camaro WAS SEEN by a witness driving by that morning. He even described the colors, which practically matched the color scheme of Hyde's Camaro--22 years before Hyde was even considered a suspect by the Columbia County Sheriffs Office.

The Digby Hyde event did intrigue me. I must ask you how did you know Digby went to his deceased wife's family in Georgia? I had a discussion with the brother about this too and we were wondering where he went the last years of his life. One of my theories were that Ron Hyde could not take care of him alone, or so Digby thought and considered it was best to stay with others who could. Along with that, we felt that his health was probably not the best and so he moved there and left the homes and vehicle to Ron because he could no longer handle it. But for now that's the best reason we can come up with. I am aware that Digby did leave prior to Fred Laster's disappearance; so I highly doubt Digby Hyde was involved in Fred's death.

According to all the evidence gathered and with the incoming information that will soon follow shortly, I can bet that the evidence is stacked and damning against Ronnie Hyde.Regardless of the outcome, Hyde will go to prison. If in the unlikely event he isn't charged for the murder, he still goes to prison for child .

I can bet that if he gets a plea deal, it will be a deal involving a reduced sentence and the recovery of the rest of Fred's remains (if they are still around). Also, it is possible he can get the charges reduced on the child to one count (either way the minimum for child in Florida is 30 years). I am doubting that they can reduce the murder charge to 3rd degree because the dismemberment kinda proves that this was a premeditated murder even though the dismemberment occurred after death. There was probably some planning involved.

It is my understanding that DH never owned the Thelma Street house. The clerk of court records indicate RH, took a mortage at the time DH leftthe JB house.

Even if the items, like bathmat, actually it looks like an anti slip tread on the flyer photo, and matress pad came from the RH house, it seems like both the victim, and his brother, and perhaps other family members had access to the house, and two or more were likely staying there on and off at the time, according to the news coverage.

Re DH move to Ga, it seems RH is not quite the loaner the media reports. He was known to be essentric, but not the unfriendly troll local media interviews with current neighbors indicate. It is quite possible the neighbors were angry about the condition of his house, and opinions slanted accordingly. Ironically their place was similar when purchased, and then a hundred grand or more was spent enlarging and remodeling. A few questions around, and you know.


there were some interesting comments made by a city employee in one news video about not tearing down a persons house just so simply, and people having rights. I am guessing they were directed at neighbors.

question for consideration:

Do you all think they will have to move trial away from jax due to the nature of the coverage.

 

[JasonFutchLakeCityFL]

It is my understanding that DH never owned the Thelma Street house. The clerk of court records indicate RH, took a mortage at the time DH leftthe JB house.

Even if the items, like bathmat, actually it looks like an anti slip tread on the flyer photo, and matress pad came from the RH house, it seems like both the victim, and his brother, and perhaps other family members had access to the house, and two or more were likely staying there on and off at the time, according to the news coverage.

Re DH move to Ga, it seems RH is not quite the loaner the media reports. He was known to be essentric, but not the unfriendly troll local media interviews with current neighbors indicate. It is quite possible the neighbors were angry about the condition of his house, and opinions slanted accordingly. Ironically their place was similar when purchased, and then a hundred grand or more was spent enlarging and remodeling. A few questions around, and you know.


there were some interesting comments made by a city employee in one news video about not tearing down a persons house just so simply, and people having rights. I am guessing they were directed at neighbors.

question for consideration:

Do you all think they will have to move trial away from jax due to the nature of the coverage.

Yes I am aware Digby never owned the Thelma Street house. I could be wrong about the time frame Hyde got the home, but I definitely understand that a brother of Fred Laster helped in attempting to restore the home because it was a trash home at the time; a fixer upper if you will.

Yeah Ron Hyde was involved with the public to extents. He definitely was not a loner because as we have seen he had connections to businesses and companies; and he was in a band in his off time. But one thing that is interesting is that he posted on his Facebook he was abused as a kid. He didn't specify who abused him; but if his parents did why was he so close with them?

And as for moving the trial, I spoke to the Laster brother about that! He said that there are only three places to move the trial: Nassau County where Fred resided; or in Lake City where the torso was dumped. There is also a chance it gets moved to Orlando but I highly doubt it. I think it will stay in Jacksonville unless Ronnie Hyde feels like he isn't going to get a fair trial in Jacksonville.

 

[Jaxbeach]

It seems RH wrote a letter to someone and it made its way into the hands of a local jax news station. Wjxt has a video segment as well as a link to a color scan of the letter

 

[musictom321]

On the topic of the flannel shirt. It was found with my brothers remains and the tools used to dismember him.not to mention with the perpetrator dna on the shirt along with my brothers dna. The mattress pad found at the scene was soaked with my brothers blood.Mr Hyde had no ties to Lake city and for a shirt with his dna to be found with the above listed items just a coincidence. Highly unlikely. The chances are almost nil.

 

[musictom321]

Jaxbeach do you think Ron Hyde is being treated unfairly? He was allowed 23 years of freedom, you and I would not have been given due to JSO miss handling this case. I don't understand your vague statements about the evidence in this case. Have you looked at the arrest affidavit? If not , you should it doesn't paint a good picture of Ron Hyde or his explanations on the whereabouts of my brother. 5 different conclusions were given by him, all had distinct differences. Look we could go on and on. Just look at the arrest affidavit

 

[Jaxbeach]

Regarding my comments about the dumpster finding, I was meaning to say that based on what we read in news coverage, one would conclude who the suspect is. But the possibility that the victim may have been wearing the shirt, or a different perp may have been wearing the shirt is an outside possibility. I think it is good that the legal system is going for a 2nd degree charge instead of 1st. Intent and motive(s) would be even harder to establish after decades.

I already mentioned what I thought was a possible reason RH would give varying responces about where he last saw the victim.

I was avoiding being blunt, but I will be more direct by asking the following. Is it possible that the missing remains of your brother would be found at the locations that RH said he last saw the victim. All of the locations. I am not alone in this question, it has come up in conversation with others regarding this case.

I was not saying he is being treated unfairly. He is obviously the prime suspect. It does however seem like defence lawyers get cases moved to other venues when there has been sensational coverage. This case has had its share of that. Whether its enough to mess up the jury pool, is up to the professionals to decide

edited to add

The matress pad has not been discussed. I would imagine it would have been rich with dna samples. Linking it to the house as well as the victim.

 

[JasonFutchLakeCityFL]

RONNIE HYDE PENS LETTER FROM JAIL; LASTER FAMILY RESPONDS


A letter written by Ronnie Hyde somehow made its way into the hands of Serial Killers Ink; a known website where "murderabilia" is sold According to the letter written to a friend, Hyde praises his new home at the Duval County Jail, even going as far as stating that he felt like he was "on a sabbath year". The letter is selling for $66; which is turning some heads in the Laster household. According to a source, The Laster siblings are looking into what they can do to stop this sale from happening. There is also talk of legal action if this problem persists.

One of Fred's siblings stated that he believes that the letter is on sale because Ron Hyde is hurting for money and is having trouble paying court fees. It is still unclear how Serial Killers Ink received the letter; but it is obvious that someone close to Hyde had sold the letter to the website.

The letter Hyde wrote contained information of life in jail. Hyde mentions that he he has been getting plenty of rest and that he felt he was in a sabbath year (or a vacation of sorts). He also goes on to say that he had been reading the bible quite a bit in jail and had been fantasizing about going back on a boat when he visited the doctors office somewhere near the St. Johns River. He also discussed playing instruments again.

Some of the letter is also unreadable due to the handwriting of Ronnie Hyde; but it paints a clear picture of life in jail and what he has been doing. An email has been sent to Serial Killers Ink and we are currently awaiting an official response from the site to discuss how they gained possession of the letter. Stay tuned for more updates.​

 

[Jaxbeach]

regarding the letter, the news coverage mentioned in a previous post indicates a collector wrote to RH requesting a reply letter. The letter was then "traded" with a memorabilia collector website.

I dont think 66 dollars will help much in RH situation. It wont put a roof on the JB house, pay the back taxes to IRS, or pay his high dollar lawyer.

A pdf file of the letter is on the news website for free, this will likely mean sales will be nil, if they are selling copies and not the original for 66.00.

 

[JasonFutchLakeCityFL]

Ronnie Hyde Writes Letter; Thanks to Serial Killers Ink, the Laster Family is Upset

BY JASON FUTCH; 5/7/17 (from the Lake City John Doe website)

​Ronnie Hyde recently wrote a letter to someone from jail and got into the hands of Serial Killers Ink; a known murderabilia merchandise store exclusive to the online community. Knowing the impacts that selling such a letter it could make, Serial Killers Ink went forward with a $66 sale that is leaving a bad taste in the mouth of the family of Fred Laster.

Sometime in April, Hyde penned a letter from the Duval County Jail to a crime memorabilia collector from Georgia. In the letter, he talks about getting plenty of rest and that he felt as though he was on a 'Sabbath Year'. He continues to talk about the bible, daydreaming about riding on a boat, and how he wanted to play guitar. Another topic he had also discussed was prison ministry. You also must keep in mind that because of Hyde' handwriting, the letter is hard to read.

Late last week, I corresponded with Eric from Serial Killers Ink about the letter. I asked him three easy questions: Without identifying the seller of the letter, why was the letter sold to Serial Killers Ink? Why did he think that the letter was worth $66? And what did he have to say to the Laster family, who are still grieving after Ron Hyde dismembered their relative?

With those questions, he was very quiet. He did not have the courage or gumption to answer the questions. He later responded after I sent a followup question by informing me that he would not answer the questions and that I knew better. My response to that was that the public deserved to know; but I respectfully ended the communication.

Following this, I spoke to Fred's brother about the letter and Eric's response. Before the communication with Eric, Fred's brother said that he and the family had considered legal action because of the fact that selling the letter had made the grieving process more difficult and that Serial Killers Ink had no right in profiting from others pain. After forwarding the emails between Eric and I, the brother had a name for Eric and his company: A**hole.

Right now, the Laster family is exploring options in this situation and that will be forthcoming in the near future. To prevent purchasing the letter from someone who enjoys profiting from murderabilia and acts like serial killing is a form of entertainment, you can read the letter here via the News4Jax article.

 

[JasonFutchLakeCityFL]

regarding the letter, the news coverage mentioned in a previous post indicates a collector wrote to RH requesting a reply letter. The letter was then "traded" with a memorabilia collector website.

I dont think 66 dollars will help much in RH situation. It wont put a roof on the JB house, pay the back taxes to IRS, or pay his high dollar lawyer.

A pdf file of the letter is on the news website for free, this will likely mean sales will be nil, if they are selling copies and not the original for 66.00.

True Jaxbeach! I hope that the letter being posted on News4Jax stops any sales. In my personal opinion, I think it is sick for a Murderabilia collector to sell items like this, ESPECIALLY after the fact that they JUST arrested Hyde. The family is still grieving over this horrific crime and I think it is insensitive for this Eric Holler fella to sell this letter in the wake of everything going on.

You are right on the $66. $66 can barely get you groceries now! But regardless of the fact, even if Hyde doesn't profit from the sale, someone is. Profiting on the blood of the innocent and the crimes of the murderers is just sick in my opinion. None of the profits goes to victims families or Crime Advocacy Groups.

 

[Jaxbeach]

There is a case in the news out of Naples Fl., about a 58 year old named Stephen W. Chase, in relation to a very large website that exchanged child among pedophiles.

It seems they have been working this case since 2014. Almost 900 arrests have been made and almost 300 kids have been identified and or rescued. 368 of the suspected perps arrested were outside the US. Various articles indicate TOR browsers and dark web addresses and the like were involved. Apparently Interpol was the first to discover the ip address and shared it with US authorities.

Seeing the timing of this Chase case makes me wonder if this might not be connected with in some way with the International Exploitation suspicion that the FBI has mentioned regarding RH.

I had seen off the wall type of news videos a while back on youtube quoting unnamed sources, as is typical, mentioning that a massive amount of pedophile arrests would be seen in the near future, I hope that this latest is only the tip of a massive iceberg toward cleaning up this scourge, and rescuing kids and preventing more from being hurt or killed.

 

[tlorik]

I thought it was federal law that a criminal could not profit from a crime. No book royalties, interviews, etc. Is that not the case?

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Jaxbeach]

I am not sure about it being a crime for a perp to profit from such things or not.

This being said, the news coverage indicates the letter was requested by a collector who then traded it to another who put it up for sale.

the news reports I have read did not indicate that RH has recieved any funds for the letter.

If indeed there are laws against criminals profitting from sales of ephemera, do they apply to suspects. RH has yet to be convicted, and the letter makes no mention of the victim or the case so may be just another letter written by a citizen in the eyes of the law at this point.