So it would appear as if the tracker utilized by the Democrats to stalk Virginia Republicans a pervert:
Officials said that 21-year-old Tyler Martin of Richmond, 44-year-old John Howell of Fredericksburg, 46-year-old Toby Parker from Manassas and 55-year-old Robert Catanzaro from Fredericksburg were arrested over the past three months. Each was charged with felony counts of indecent liberties and using a communication system to facilitate certain offenses involving children.
Sheriff Roger L. Harris said that the suspects tried to set up relationships with young children online.
“The goal of these suspects is to ‘Groom’ the children, convincing them to meet and then perpetrate their criminal acts,” Harris said.
Steve Albertson over at The Bull Elephant ran with the story citing a source connected to the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus, stating that Mr. Tyler had worked for DPVA:
We wonder if, given the recent history of another Virginia Democrat, young Mr. Martin may be being groomed for a Democrat seat in the General Assembly.
The Democratic Party of Virginia could not be reached for comment.
Zing!
…of course, DPVA was quick to clarify that Mr. Martin was not their hot potato, but the Senate Democrats’ — and brought on as a mere volunteer, not a hired gun (insert your very own Craigslist joke here).
WTVR in Richmond confirmed the news, following it with a very hastily cobbled together denial from the State Senate Democratic Caucus :
“He served as an unpaid legislative session volunteer for the Senate Democratic Caucus for several weeks monitoring public General Assembly committee meetings and assisting with administrative duties. We have had no contact with him since his arrest, but remain shocked and disappointed at the circumstances.”
More here, here, here and here.
Nice ‘stach.
Of course, in recent months folks have been treated to a barrage of “pedophilia is a disorder, not a crime” nonsense. One should consider that it is both, and that preying upon children for sexual gratification — or the variant of pederasty with physically mature yet mentally immature teenagers — leaves decades of lasting harm to victims and enables perpetrators.
Hats off to Spotsylvania’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit. This is low work that cannot be comfortable for law enforcement… but proactively tackling it at this level where the perpetrators walk in with intent to harm? Might save the next girl.
