GUILTY OR - Steven Derlacki for child pornography, Roseburg, 2010

[Belinda]

I was initially horrified by all of these kinds of cases coming out with teachers and doctors and priests, etc. But, now I'm really glad. Because no doubt this has always been going on, but it was hidden or not investigated or whatever. I don't think there are any more cases than there ever was. But, now these slime balls are getting caught. So, it's all good.

 

[Astrella613]

Astrella--I know, Roseburg is really getting the spotlight shined on them right now. It's normally a pretty quiet place. I'm sure they're not enjoying this kind of publicity. We talked about this upthread and I've seen no link between the two cases but you never know. The day Kyron disappeared Derlacki should have been teaching. Derlacki did reach out to other teachers but they seemed to be younger teachers. Derlacki primarily seemed to spend his time, prior to teaching, in the Eugene/Corvallis area--working with children, of course. That's where his family lives.

Kyron was a frequent camper, though, and Derlacki talks a lot about camping on his old blog. I'm not sure who he went with as I haven't seen any evidence that he lived with a partner. He's also had SCUBA training so maybe he has some buddies from that. His roommate moved out a while back to get married.

Just so everyone knows, Roseburg is in the very center of Oregon in the Umpqua Valley and is smack dab in the middle of camping/rafting/hiking country. It's really very beautiful and a hub of recreational activities. Healthy ones, that is. My adult kids are up there camping this weekend with my grandchildren.

Are TH's parents' names known? Is there a particular post which you could direct me to with a link to that info, possibly. Thanks.

Oh, not thinking that this slimeball was directly involved but you realize that these creeps hang out with like-minded. I believe their name is the M name in TMH but I could be wrong about that. Missizzy I will look for link but I am not good with finding them.

 

[Astrella613]

Carol is her mother.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/06/kyron_hormans_blended_family_f.html

 

[LaLaw2000]

Ok I have to say this. TH's parents live in Roseberg and she just moved back there. They are both teachers and so is she. Wonder if she knows this guy. He really gives me the creeps.

Well, two things they would certainly have in common is the town of Roseberg and the fascination of teaching children.

I have a gut feeling that TH and this SOB did know each other. When this [link removed] was arrested, he looked really sunburned in his booking pic.

JMO

 

[Missizzy]

I'm not sure I understand the sunburned comment. Derlacki did go camping frequently though. I'm still not sure if the M parents are still teaching or have retired. Does anyone know?

If my addresses are correct, they don't live too far apart from one another.

I still think that's a mighty big leap.

 

[Missizzy]

I was fine until I got to the line about Derlacki being released to his parents' home in Corvallis. NOT OK!!!! Does Corvallis and that particular neighborhood really want Derlacki there? Does this scenario set up his parents (who I assume are not involved in any way) for reprisal or violence? They live a pretty high profile life. I found them easily. Derlacki is known for being a magnet for kids. He's helpful, he's kind. Will the neighborhood know about his upcoming trial and be cautious? If he's forced to stay in the house, what will he do with his time? Surely his parents have internet access given their careers and hobby. How can we be certain Derlacki will not secretly access them. I'm not happy.

http://www.kval.com/news/local/99460949.html

Teacher enters not guilty plea in child porn case

"A Roseburg teacher facing child pornography charges appeared in Douglas County Circuit Court Tuesday.

Steven Derlacki, 28, entered a not guilty plea in Judge George Ambrosini's courtroom Tuesday afternoon, after the judge read the charges.

There were 20 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree and 20 more counts in the 2nd degree...."

and

"....Attorney Daniel Koenig said he would ask that the defendant be released to a monitored setting at his parent's home in Corvallis...."


more at link

 

[Masenko]

I was in the same boy scout troop as Steve. The only Eagle Scout ceremony I bothered to attend was Steve's. I went camping with Steve. I have a hard time believing Steve did this, especially because possession of child porn on a laptop is the single easiest crime to frame someone for. All it takes is one minute alone with his laptop, or a novice hacker. It's possible his computer security was poor and some child porn ring was using his laptop as a remote storage point to avoid their own culpability. I'm not saying Steve is innocent or guilty, I wasn't there. What I am saying is jumping to the conclusion that he is guilty, given the nature of the crime is so easily faked and the weirdness that someone just happened to turn in his name despite the fact he lives alone seems extremely suspicious to me, and it should to anyone with any critical thinking skills.

 

[Missizzy]

Welcome Masenko--This must be really difficult to deal with, I'm very sorry. Because WS is a forum to discuss crimes and the impact of crime, we do not have to assume innocence until someone is tried. We do often make assumptions concerning information we learn through public sources.

That said, most of us understand that there are ways to hack into a person's computer and download pornography. However, LE has to have quite a bit of evidence before they get a search warrant. Being that Derlacki lived alone, I would agree with you that it seems unlikely that a friend or family member turned him him.

It would be far more probable that his name came up in a plea bargain with another person trading in these vile images. This happens all the time. It's almost like a house of cards. If one gets caught, they will often roll on others to get their sentences reduced. We've seen many instances where LE actually assumes the identity of another person and continues the "conversation". This would be my guess as to how they ended up with Mr. Derlacki in their sites.

If you've done any reading on WS, you'll know that we are extremely reactive to those who collect, trade, sell, or produce child pornography. The men and women who do this fit a well defined profile. Many seek out professions where they are brought into daily contact with children. Many are well known and respected within their communities for all the wonderful work they do with kids. Pedophiles and child porn traders do NOT wear shirts which identify them as such. This is why people close to the person arrested are nearly always feel shock and betrayal. The person is NOT whom they thought they were. The person has spent years and untold amounts of energy to conceal their habit. You should also know that FBI studies are showing that a huge percentage of those who collect child pornography have touched a child inappropriately. Also please realize that with every image collected, there is a victim......a child whose life will be forever changed.

As for the Eagle Scouts. That is impressive. There are thousands of fine young men who have achieved that esteemed rank. However, I'd like to point out that the young man who raped my eight young children and was convicted on 12 counts, was moving up the ranks towards Eagle Scout rank when he was arrested. That didn't count for much when it came to brutally raping and photographing young special needs children.

Once again, welcome. We look forward to your views.

 

[Missizzy]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, Judge Ambrosini!!! As Guy Clark says in his wonderful Texas song, "No deal, you can't sell that stuff to me."


http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20100812/NEWS/100819942/1063/NEWS&ParentProfile=1055

Roseburg teacher pleads not guilty on child porn charges


"Roseburg elementary teacher pleaded not guilty to child pornography charges Wednesday in Douglas County Circuit Court.

During the hearing, Steven Kenneth Derlacki, 28, stood straight, with his hands folded in front of him as Judge George Ambrosini read aloud the 20 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first-degree and 20 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the second-degree that Derlacki faces.

Ambrosini also set a trial for Nov. 2-4 and denied a motion to release Derlacki from jail pending his trial......"

and

"....A retired firefighter and friend of the Derlacki family, GT, testified that Derlacki was an Eagle Scout and had been active in the community near Corvallis, helping to build a high school stadium.

Derlacki's father, DD, also spoke at the hearing. He said he works from home and would monitor his son's behavior if the court released him. Koenig said he submitted to the court four letters from people vouching for Steven Derlacki.

and

"...Deputy District Attorney Shannon Sullivan said releasing Derlacki potentially posed “huge community protection” issues.

Although Derlacki has no prior criminal record, prosecutors consider him a flight risk because he faces serious charges and a long sentence if convicted, she said...."



More at link

 

[Missizzy]

Forgive my double post but I'm so tickled, I can hardly stand myself. What an incredibly wise move on Judge Ambrosini's part. No doubt the judge knows far more than we do concerning the seriousness of these charges.

Being an Eagle Scout, volunteering to help build a stadium nor being an "engaged and caring" 2nd grade teacher does NOT have a single thing to do with being a pedophile.

I can still hear the friends of the Mohler men rambling on and on about how helpful those guys were and about how they kept their lawns nice. Oh, and they "had no vices you could think of."

Finally, a judge who put the safety of children FIRST. I wish I knew where Judge Ambrosini dined. I'd send over a bottle of wine, courtesy of WS and the good people of Oregon.

I'm just an Oregon citizen, aren't I? I can be nice.

 

[Masenko]

That said, most of us understand that there are ways to hack into a person's computer and download pornography. However, LE has to have quite a bit of evidence before they get a search warrant. Being that Derlacki lived alone, I would agree with you that it seems unlikely that a friend or family member turned him him.

http://www.kpic.com/news/local/100450019.html

"Police said that officers contacted Derlacki at his residence and got consent to search the file son the computer."


So they didn't have a search warrant, which means they had no evidence, which makes this much more likely he was set up.

 

[Missizzy]

Can someone speak to this who is more knowledgeable than me about SWs? If Mr. Derlacki gave permission for LE to search the computer, I would think that he gave up his rights. When I went missing once (due to a seizure) my husband signed a form giving the police the right to take my computer to the lab for inspection. They wanted to see who I had contacted prior to my disappearance. They found some terribly disjointed emails (obviously written by an unwell person...me) and several totally coherent posts on WS.

I never gave permission for that inspection but my husband did. I would imagine that anything found on my computer could have been used against me. My husband was willing to take that risk (even knowing the research I do for WS) just to find me that night.

Masenko, I fully understand that you are hoping against hope that Mr. Derlacki is innocent. I truly do. It's just that we've dealt with literally thousands of men like Mr. Derlacki who have hoodwinked their families and their employers about their hidden proclivities. You know what? I trusted our sweet grade school librarian until she allowed her son to follow her to school and rape special needs children. Who would have thought?

Surely Judge Ambrosini took into consideration all these issues when he chose to force Mr. Derlacki to sit in jail awaiting his November court date. I would hope that you would agree that it's best to err on the side of safety when it comes to children.

 

[Missizzy]

An addition to the post above. I checked on the form my husband signed for my computer to be searched last October and it very clearly states that we (my husband and I are both listed as owners of it) are liable for anything found on it. Obviously, LE was looking at my recent correspondence but there were several hours that went by when criminal activity was suspected. I'm sure they checked the whole thing over very carefully. My husband also gave them permission to take all my journals, my address book and my digital camera. The books were copied and the originals returned. Every single person in my address book was called by LE to determine if they had been in contact with me or if they had any information about me. Then, my husband signed a from allowing a full search of all our properties and vehicles. All our neighbors were awakened and questioned. I have no doubt if my husband had refused access to the computer or the property, a SW would have been produced in short order. LE was not screwing around and held my husband in one place (our dining room) for all 12 hours that I was missing. It was only barely tolerable for him being that he knew both detectives and they tried to be as kind as possible.

I have a feeling that Mr. Derlacki gave permission for his computer to be searched as he knew he'd been caught. It has never been reported if other items were seized but I would imagine that a search of the property was made also, as is the usual case in child porn arrest. LE are often looking for notebooks of contacts and hard copies of photographs. If your theory is correct, Masenko, and he had no idea that someone had hacked into his computer and places these images there, my guess is that will be a strong defense at trial. We'll just have to wait and see. I'm still pleased that Judge Ambrosini kept Derlacki in jail. I have to think of the children.

 

[Missizzy]

An update on Derlacki. A few questions, though. I'm assuming that Derlacki is planning to not attempt to get his job back at this point, being that he's resigning. I wonder what that means concerning a possible plea? I also wonder why the article states the LE found over 500 photos and videos of child porn and yet he faces only 40 charges? Lastly how in the heck does LE know that the children are not local? Do child victims of child porn somehow not "look" like local children?


http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/stor...ing-child/HFe-GOuCgEGtYyzexmsZYg.cspx?rss=191

Roseburg teacher Derlacki resigns facing child pornography charges

"A Roseburg Public Schools elementary school teacher facing child pornography charges has now resigned from the district amidst the charges.

Steven Derlacki, 28, is facing 40 counts of encouraging child sex abuse. Derlacki has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial is set to begin on November 11th, 2010...."

and

".....Roseburg Police say none of the children depicted in the content appear to be local...."

more at link

 

[Belinda]

Fabulous question, Missizzy. They also made that pronouncement about the local children awfully quickly IMO. Would the children from his community happen to have "local" tatooed on their foreheads or something? I can only think they are doing that to lessen the panic while they investigate?

 

[Missizzy]

I'll go ahead and jump into this as I am the mother of children of three different races, Asian, Caucasian, and Black. Per the 2000 census, the Caucasian population of Roseburg is over 93%. 1% of the citizens are black and about 4% are Hispanic. Asians make up less than .1%. So there are certainly some children of color. Obviously children of all ages and body types live within the town.

The only viable explanation I can readily accept is if every single one of the over 500 photos and videos showed a large group of children of color--possibly shown in a setting which proved to be foreign--an orphanage, a sex tourism destination, etc.

Other than that single possibility, I just don't think it's logical or helpful to say that the children do "not appear to be local". Parents should not be hoodwinked into perceived complacency IMO.

Come to think of it, we've seen this same comment after child porn busts in cities which are far more ethnically diverse than Roseburg. Without extensive forensics examination, how does LE know that the children are not local?

FWIW, I don't care if the children are local or live in Thailand or Haiti. I want every possible attempt to be made to identify and locate them. Behind every single image which feeds a child porn collector and/or pedophile's lust, a child is hurting.

 

[Missizzy]

WTH?? Didn't the judge rule that Derlacki could NOT be released to his parents' home? And isn't it interesting that he was released on Aug. 17th and yet this local article is dated Aug. 26th? I'm not happy.

http://www.nrtoday.com/ARTICLE/20100826/NEWS/100829870/-1/RSS

Roseburg teacher facing child pornography charges posts bail


"A former Roseburg elementary teacher who is accused of possessing more than 500 computer files of child pornography has posted bail and been released from jail.

Steven Kenneth Derlacki, 28, of Roseburg posted 10 percent of his $400,000 bail, or $40,000, and was released Aug. 17, according to court documents.

SKD [EBM], 60, posted the bail. In a release agreement, Derlacki will receive mail at a Corvallis address....."

more at link

 

[Missizzy]

I said I wasn't happy. I'm REALLY not happy. So, a female relative of Derlacki's bailed him out and presumably took him home. That was the plan proposed a few weeks ago before the judge nixed it and then unbelievably switched gears. This person's home address is not hard to find.

I just checked and Derlacki will be spending his time between last week and early November 1000 feet from Hoover Elementary School, a K-12 school--the span of five houselots. He's known to be popular with kids and there will be hundreds of possible victims flooding that area in 10 days. He's also known to be a tech guy. Who's watching the computers in the home?

Why was this allowed? Are his parents really vouching for him every single second of the day? He's an adult man, who's obviously been very crafty had what he does. Who is liable if he harms a child?

http://www.csd509j.net/hoover/

I like Corvallis--it's a lovely town. But I really don't want to have to camp out front of Derlacki's house for over two months. Oh, I hope the local parents are aware of the danger in their midst.

 

[suzyq211]

I was just looking back at Derlacki's blog and checking the other blog which invited him over, the Juicy Fruit one. Does it strike anyone as odd that the JF blog has had over 39,000 hits on just the profile...all when the guy only posted about 10 posts from 2005-2008. It also has a link for file-sharing.

"Not much about me, just I am a park ranger for a local park, I love my job, but I love juicy fruit even more!"

And a link to this guy's "other blog" with some clips of comments:

http://superfanblogger.blogspot.com/2009/03/test-post-5.html#comments

"I happened upon your Juicy Fruiter blog, and wish it were up to date. I've never read a blog before, and am anxious to read through all of your posts. Test phase is over, man. Time to share!!"

"I have something about sharing, I have to find it later. Share your burdens and your joy. Its hard to go through life alone."

Some unusual comments for a park ranger who rarely posts.

Odd.

Sounds like code to me...this blog makes the term "Juicy Fruit" seem disturbing and smarmy.

 

[Missizzy]

On August 12th, the Roseburg News Review reported that Judge Ambrosini denied a motion to release Derlacki and a motion to reduce his bail:

http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20100812/NEWS/100819942/1063/NEWS&ParentProfile=1055

The judge agreed with Deputy District Attorney Shannon Sullivan that Derlacki presented "huge community protection issues".


On August 26th, the Roseburg News Review reported that Derlacki had been bailed out by an older female relative with a bond of $40,000 and will be "receiving mail at a Corvallis address" as of August 17th.

Have no citizens of Roseburg or Corvallis nor any investigative reporters wondered what happened between August 12 and August 17th? None? I plan to write to the reporter, Kathy Korengel, for clarification. Her email address is at the bottom of the article.

I truly hope this family member closely read the fine print on the bond agreement. many Oregonians have been shocked to lose the funds they put up for bail, even when the person who is charged shows up for court. There's some tricky language in there.

And, Suzyq--ITA, when I found those strange blog posts and the vague references to albums and number of views, along with some of the comments, that did it for me.