Scout Leader Charged with Molestation

[eisely 13]

This is bad news, whatever the truth may be.

_______________________-

 

Halifax Boy Scout Leader Accused Of Sexual Assault

Charles 'Sandy' Boykin Faces Number Of Charges

 

POSTED: 6:09 pm EDT June 17, 2004

UPDATED: 6:31 pm EDT June 17, 2004

 

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. -- A Halifax County Health Department worker and longtime Boy Scout leader faces some serious charges.

 

A Halifax County man who spent 20 years dedicated to the Boy Scouts is accused of sexual assault..

 

Police first arrested Charles "Sandy" Boykin in May. They charged him with molesting a 13-year-old boy over a seven-month period, beginning last fall.

 

"We've charged Mr. Boykin with three counts of child molestation and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor," said Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Greg Lawson.

 

Since the May arrest, police searched Boykin's home computer and charged him with disseminating pornography. Lawson said the investigation is far from over.

 

"It's a sensitive and lengthy investigation to make sure nothing else surfaces as far as victims," Lawson said.

 

Boykin's wife has called the investigation a witch hunt. She said her husband is innocent. Former Scout leader Pete Luter spent many years in the Boy Scouts and he said he hates to see the organization tarnished.

 

"It's an emotional issue for me. I like the Scouts," he said.

 

Either way, Luter said it is a sad situation for the Scouts.

 

"Don't let one bad apple ruin it for everyone else. Is it one bad apple? Of course, that's yet to be proven," he said.

 

Boykin is out of jail on bond. He is still working at the health department and has another court date in July.

[dsteele 20]

No offense intended to eisely, but I've never seen the name of the accused in any kind of abuse case released until there is a conviction. I have to wonder about the news story.

 

Is there a link we can see for ourselves, Eisely?

 

Unc.

[NWScouter 9]

Usually around here the name is released when one is formally charged.

[eisely 13]

As requested.

 

 

http://www.wral.com/news/3431328/detail.html

[scoutldr 732]

Around here, one's name is dragged through the mud at the first inkling of anything wrong, for any crime. Then, of course, when acquitted, you never hear about it...that story is not "news" and is buried on Page 53.

[Rooster7 11]

Uncleguinea,

 

Where do you live? Let me know, I'd like to move to a community that has those kind of ethics. In the D.C. area, unless he/she is a minor, the accused (forget about formal charges or a conviction) is always noted by name.

 

[Rooster7 11]

Actually, one side of me is happy that they publish the name early. Why? Because not every organization (i.e., youth program, school, etc.) is smart enough to isolate that adult from having contact with children while charges are pending. At least this way, parents in the community, can take their own precautions.

[acco40 95]

Maybe they will transfer him to another council. Seems to have worked for another prominent organization - NOT!

 

Not that mug shots are very often complimentary - but what a scary shot.

 

 

Just to fan the flames, notice that the accused, as is so often the case, is married.

 

Yes, it is sad for the BSA. Obviously, unless another Scouter or Scout is to blame, youth protection guidelines were not followed. All, please stress YP guidelines to all adults & youth who are in your unit or who may come into contact with your unit!!(This message has been edited by acco40)

[LovetoCamp 9]

Another homosexual pedophile atheist got through screening and YP. We have to stay vigilant people!!!

[acco40 95]

Trailpounder, showing your ignorance again?

[eisely 13]

It seems to me that nationwide there are about two or three such incidents per year in BSA. This is not a bad record considering the size of the organization and the multiple opportunities a truly devious and determined pedophile might find or create.

 

In the case at hand, judgment of the accused leader should be reserved until the process is completed, particularly by those of us who only see bits and pieces of the story over the internet.

 

The real lesson, and the reason to continue to post these kinds of stories, is to remind forum participants that YP cannot be neglected or taken for granted. YP is a continuous process that has to be refreshed every year at the unit level as new people come into scouting.

[scoutingagain 20]

Having sat on a jury that aquitted an accused child molester I caution against a rush to judgement. In the case I sat on through testimony and cross examination it became pretty obvious a disturbed young man wanted to cause trouble for quiet older gentlemen that lived in his neighborhood.

 

I don't know the facts in this case but based on the article so far there is only one alleged victim. In most cases there are usually multiple victims. I'll wait and see.

 

Any one of us could end up in this man's shoes if a 12, 13 or 14 year old wants to make a beef with local authorities. Some local prosecutors know this type of case will make headlines. Sure YP guidelines could help defend us, but that might not come out until after an article such as this is published and we have our day in court.

 

How would your employer, friends and family react? I see the man's wife supports him.

 

Like I said, I'll wait and see.

 

Should he excuse himself from scouting activities until this is resolved? Absolutely.

 

If found guilty, I would have no problem finding a special place of incarcernation for the man.

 

SA

[NJCubScouter 1389]

TP, sometimes when I read what you write, I wonder if you are some kind of agent provocateur left-wing white-wine-sipping Barbra-Streisand-admiring hybrid-car-driving Hanoi-Jane-adoring friend of Ed Asner and Fidel Castro Commie pinko hippie freak, whose aim is to make conservatives look ridiculous. Whether that is your aim or not, you do a good job at it.

 

I re-read the story a couple times to find out where we learn that the accused man is an atheist, but I haven't found it yet. As for homosexual, it appears from the story that in fact he is "avowedly heterosexual," with a wife and everything. In fact, whenever eisely posts one of these stories (and I personally appreciate that he does, I know that his ideology and mine are not the same but I think he does provide a service to the forum), I can't help but notice that there is either an explicit or implicit (as in this case) statement by someone that "we had no idea that he would do anything like this," or more accurately in this case "he would never do this and he didn't do it." Never in any of these articles have I ever seen a statement like "Oh yeah, well this guy was an avowed homosexual and it was only a matter of time before he did something like this." It's always "he was such a good family man."

 

Uncleguineau, I agree with the others, it is routine for police to release, and newspapers to print, the names of adults charged with crimes, at the time of the arrest and charge. (And juveniles whose cases are transferred to criminal court, commonly referred to as being "tried as an adult.") Sometimes there is a "sealed indictment" but usually in that case the newspapers don't even know anyone has been charged with anything so there's no story, until after the person(s) are arrested and the indictment is then unsealed. Victims' names are generally released as well, the big exception being sexual-assault-type cases, of which this would be one, as well as some other types of crimes, usually involving juvenile victims.

[eisely 13]

Youth protection is also adult leader protection.

[evmori 11]

Minimal facts have been given. Regardless of the outcome, it is bad press for the BSA.

 

Ed Mori

Troop 1

1 Peter 4:10