Trump's FBI rescues 115 children, nabbing 205 alleged sex predators in nationwide sting



President Donald Trump's Department of Justice announced Wednesday the results of a nationwide sting led by the FBI.

Operation Restore Justice was a five-day joint effort between 55 FBI field offices, the DOJ's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and United States Attorney's Offices across the country.

'In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department police officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.'

The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 alleged child sexual abuse offenders.

The suspects were charged with a number of crimes against children, including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, the DOJ stated.

"In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department police officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims," the department said.

The FBI's Charlotte field office reported that it nabbed six people across North Carolina. One arrested individual, previously convicted of sexual battery and a registered sex offender, was charged with sex trafficking of a minor. If convicted on all counts, the suspect could face up to life in prison.

FBI Cleveland arrested 11 individuals, Boston arrested seven, Newark arrested five, and Baltimore arrested three.

FBI Director Kash Patel explained that some of the alleged offenders included teachers and law enforcement personnel.

Patel said, "Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us."

"Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we're sending a clear message: There is no place to hide for those who prey on children," he added.

The DOJ credited "parental vigilance and community outreach" for the successful sting operation.

Attorney General Pam Bondi called the operation "historic" and "unprecedented."

"The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us," Bondi stated. "I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate."

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Ex-teacher nervously laughs off claims of sexually abusing student in parking lots during secretly recorded phone call: Cops



A former teacher in Wisconsin is facing serious accusations of having an illicit sexual relationship with an underage student that allegedly happened several years ago, according to court documents.

Rebecca Ryan, 43, was arrested on April 29 and charged with three counts of sexual assault by school staff, according to the Post-Crescent. Each charge reportedly carries a maximum prison sentence of three years and three years of extended supervision.

Sgt. Schnese of the Appleton Police Department questioned Ryan and noted that 'she was breathing with shallow breaths' during the interrogation.

Ryan is barred from having contact with the alleged victim or having any unsupervised contact with any children under the age of 18 that is not related to her.

Ryan is currently being detained at the Outagamie County Jail on $50,000 bond, according to jail records.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by WLUK-TV, the former student — who is now 25 years old — informed police in March that he was an alleged victim of child sex abuse by a former teacher when he was a 17-year-old student at Appleton West High School.

The alleged victim said the sexual encounters occurred during the first semester of his senior year, between September 2017 and January 2018.

The alleged victim claimed that it was Ryan who sexually abused him.

The former student told detectives that the first time he had a sexual encounter with the teacher was in a vehicle in the overflow parking lot of Appleton West High School, according to the criminal complaint. The alleged victim also claimed that he and the teacher had sex on two other occasions inside a vehicle at two different parking lots, and the last sexual encounter happened before he turned 18 years old.

Officers with the Appleton Police Department reportedly had the alleged victim call Ryan while police recorded the phone call.

When the former student asked Ryan if she was still teaching, she allegedly replied that she is no longer a teacher and is now a nanny.

The alleged victim reportedly asked Ryan if she would be willing to talk about their time together in high school.

She reportedly responded, "I mean, I guess. It depends on what. I don't know. Ugh. I can talk to you about general."

According to the affidavit, the alleged victim elaborated, "Like us having sex and stuff."

Ryan reportedly replied with a nervous laugh and said, "No."

She allegedly told the former student to "hold on a second," and he remained on the line for about three minutes without any response from Ryan, so he hung up on the call.

The alleged victim purportedly called Ryan back, but the call was sent to her voicemail.

Sgt. Schnese of the Appleton Police Department questioned Ryan and noted that "she was breathing with shallow breaths" during the interrogation.

He wrote in the affidavit, "Shortly thereafter, Rebecca placed her head in her hands and said, 'I did not sleep with [VICTIM 1].'"

The Appleton School District noted that Ryan had been employed by the district from August 29, 2016, through Feb. 9, 2018.

The school district added, "During her time with the district, there were no reports or allegations involving inappropriate contact with students. We are committed to partnering with the Appleton Police Department as needed to support any ongoing investigations."

Ryan is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on May 6.

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NYPD officer sent obscene material to undercover cop posing as 14-year-old girl: DA's office



A New York City Police Department officer allegedly sent obscene material to an undercover cop posing as a 14-year-old girl, according to authorities.

Travis DeSouza — a 35-year-old NYPD officer of Briarwood — was charged with attempted dissemination of indecent material to minors in the first degree, official misconduct, obscenity in the third degree, and attempted endangerment of the welfare of a child. If convicted, DeSouza faces up to four years in prison.

'I should be telling you to stop ... but your maturity and the way you act is different.'

DeSouza — who was released without bail Thursday, according to court records — reportedly worked in the Law Enforcement Explorers program at the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn.

The program "provides young men and women from the city's diverse communities with an introduction to a career in law enforcement or a related field in the criminal justice system."

"Explorers are taught the importance of higher education, self-discipline, and respect for diversity and human dignity through training, involvement in community service projects, and other Exploring events," the program description states.

The program is said to employ "positive adult role models," including "law enforcement officers who help young adults see officers as fellow human beings."

The program is "geared" toward young people ages 14 to 20.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a Friday statement: "On October 3, 2024, at approximately 5:49 p.m., an undercover officer, posing as a 14-year-old girl, met with DeSouza, who oversaw the program. DeSouza asked for the undercover officer’s age, and she told DeSouza that she was 14. The undercover officer asked DeSouza for his phone number, and he provided it."

The undercover officer reportedly had conversations with DeSouza on the Snapchat app from Oct. 8 to Oct. 10.

The DA's office stated, "On October 10, at approximately 10:11 p.m., DeSouza allegedly told the undercover, 'You something else.' About a minute later, DeSouza sent the undercover a photo of a man wearing boxer shorts with his hand on his genitals."

Citing the criminal complaint, the New York Post reported that the undercover agent asked DeSouza on Snapchat: "What’s under those shorts?"

DeSouza reportedly replied, "Something big, maybe more than you can handle."

DeSouza allegedly set the social media messages to disappear immediately.

The Post noted that DeSouza acknowledged the age difference and allegedly told the undercover cop, "And I don’t know even why you got me thinking things I shouldn’t because of how far we are of age LOL I should be telling you to stop ... but your maturity and the way you act is different."

DeSouza allegedly sent some of the illicit messages from a New York Police Department building in Queens.

DeSouza has been suspended without pay from the NYPD, according to the department.

Katz stated, “As alleged, this defendant took advantage of his position with the NYPD to prey on someone he thought was a 14-year-old who happened to be a police officer on assignment."

Katz continued, "The Explorers is an amazing program and our kids need to trust and have faith in its leaders. Although he was told that the ‘girl’ was just 14, the defendant allegedly sent explicit content to her. Thank you to our partners in the NYPD for their assistance with this investigation."

DeSouza is scheduled to return to court on June 11.

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Doctor, now dead, was 3 days away from being sentenced after pleading guilty to sex crimes against child patients



A former doctor was found dead just three days before he was to be sentenced for child sex crimes to which he had already pleaded guilty, according to authorities.

Matt Elza Hipke — a 62-year-old from Longview, Texas — was arrested in August 2020.

'It's with us every day, from extensive counseling to anxiety. It’s a continual process.'

Hipke was accused of committing several child sex abuse crimes against child patients. According to WLTX-TV, Hipke was indicted in 2022 on three counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14, aggravated sexual assault of a child, and indecency with a child.

On March 31, Hipke pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child before 188th District Court Judge Scott Novy, according to court records.

On Tuesday, deputies with the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office found Hipke dead in his home just three days before he was to be sentenced for his shocking sex crimes against children.

Gregg County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Craig Harrington said in a statement, "Upon arrival, the sheriff's office identified the deceased as Hipke."

Police did not indicate a cause of death, but the sheriff’s office noted that there was no danger to the public. Police said the investigation is ongoing, and no further information would be released.

Officials plan to conduct an autopsy on Hipke to determine his cause of death.

Jail records show that Hipke had been out of the Gregg County Jail since June 9, 2022.

Police said Hipke's former child patients were his victims.

KETK-TV reported that two of Hipke's former patients — both boys under 17 years old — accused him of sexual assault.

According to the Longview News-Journal, "Charges against him alleged a pattern of sexual abuse in which police said he fondled the genitals of child patients on multiple occasions between 2018 and 2020."

Hipke's practice — Adolescent Care Team — reportedly has closed since the damning allegations of child sex abuse surfaced. The Texas Medical Board also suspended Hipke's medical license.

Heather Jolicoeur — the mother of one of the children Hipke abused — told KXTV, "It's with us every day, from extensive counseling to anxiety. It’s a continual process."

The distraught mother added, "You know you took something else from me — not being able to face him and tell him exactly how he has hurt us, because those are wounds that don’t go away. Won’t ever go away."

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Ex-teacher accused of sex with student — months after her dad was accused of sexually abusing teens on same Christian campus



A former Texas teacher has been accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student — just months after her own father was arrested on the same campus for allegedly sexually abusing minors.

Brooke Martinez, 30, was arrested in Ellis County on April 10 and charged with an improper relationship between educator and student. Martinez posted bail and was released from custody.

The student alleged to have had a one-time sexual encounter with Martinez and that she also sent him nude images of herself, according to court documents.

Martinez had been a teacher at Still Creek Christian Academy in Brazos County.

The school is self-described as "dedicated to advancing a Christ-centered worldview that puts trust in God as the firm foundation for a meaningful and fulfilling life."

The school works with students from "crisis situations" between grades four through 12.

KBTX-TV reported that Martinez had an improper sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student in 2024.

Texas law prohibits school employees from engaging in "sexual contact, sexual intercourse, or deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is enrolled in a public or private primary or secondary school at which the employee works ... regardless of the age of that person."

A student at the school allegedly informed a school staff member about the illicit relationship with a teacher.

The student alleged to have had a one-time sexual encounter with Martinez and that she also sent him nude images of herself, according to court documents.

The school staff member informed the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office of the allegations.

Investigators interviewed Martinez in April, and she reportedly admitted to the relationship, according to court documents.

Officials with Still Creek Christian Academy said in a statement, "We are heartbroken and disappointed over the allegations of an encounter involving a former teacher. The alleged behavior does not align with the high standards we expect of our teachers, who are tasked with creating a protective, nurturing environment for the students in our charge."

Immediately after the accusations were revealed, Still Creek Christian Academy filed reports with the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The school is continuing to assist in the investigation.

Martinez allegedly "separated" from the school earlier this year, according to Still Creek Christian Academy.

KBTX reported that Martinez’s father was arrested in February on child sex crime charges at the same campus where his daughter taught.

KBTX reported that 57-year-old John Edward Martinez was arrested Feb. 7 and charged with three counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact.

While Brooke Martinez was a teacher at Still Creek Christian Academy, her father reportedly worked as a "house parent" on Still Creek Ranch, which is part of the 200-acre campus.

Still Creek Ranch also houses children from "crisis situations" and works to foster "a specific way to restore children, raising adults who have healthy relationships, are self-sufficient, and seek God in all they do."

Deputies with the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office interviewed Martinez, who allegedly admitted to investigators that he violated several rules at Still Creek Ranch beginning in March 2024. Martinez allegedly acknowledged his behavior was "grooming" and against the rules of his employer but maintained that he did nothing illegal.

However, a teenager under the age of 18 who was in Martinez’s care told police he groped her under her clothes, according to court documents.

A second teen allegedly told investigators that the house parent would pay her to give him massages.

KBTX reported, "Deputies say the teen told them she was scared to say no to Martinez because when she did, he would get mad at her, and she’d start getting in trouble for things Martinez normally allowed."

Still Creek Ranch said of the accusations, "We were deeply saddened to learn about the alleged behavior involving one of our former house parents. It is our primary responsibility to provide a safe haven for the children in our care. We have zero tolerance for any behavior that violates our child safety policy."

Still Creek Ranch officials notified law enforcement and child protective services once the child sex abuse allegations surfaced.

Still Creek Ranch terminated John Edward Martinez.

You can watch a local newscast from KBTX regarding the disturbing allegations against the father and daughter here.

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Previously deported Brazilian woman arrested and charged with child rape, assault, and incest



A Brazilian national – who was previously deported – was arrested by federal law enforcement officers for allegedly raping and assaulting a child, according to authorities.

Ilma Leandro De Oliveira, a 53-year-old woman from Brazil, was arrested on March 20 in Falmouth, Massachusetts, by officers and agents with the Boston divisions of ICE, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

"Ilma Leandro De Oliveira is charged with seven different crimes regarding the sexual victimization of a child in our Massachusetts community."

De Oliveira was charged with the rape of a child, reckless endangerment of a child, indecent exposure, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, unnatural acts with a child, aggravated statutory rape of a child, and incest.

De Oliveira was previously deported before returning to the United States.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced in a statement released this week that the U.S. Border Patrol arrested De Oliveira on Sept. 20, 2007. ICE noted that De Oliveira illegally entered the United States near Laredo, Texas. The Border Patrol reportedly served her a notice and order of expedited removal.

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde said De Oliveira illegally re-entered the U.S. on an unknown date, at an unknown location, and without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.

Hyde declared, "Ilma Leandro De Oliveira is charged with seven different crimes regarding the sexual victimization of a child in our Massachusetts community. These are crimes we simply will not tolerate."

Hyde proclaimed, "ICE Boston will continue to prioritize the safety of our children by arresting and removing any criminal alien who poses a threat to our New England residents."

ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations in San Antonio removed De Oliveira from the United States to Brazil on Dec. 27, 2007.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said De Oliveira was served with a notice of intent/decision to reinstate a prior removal order.

ICE said De Oliveira is expected to also be prosecuted for illegal re-entry after deportation.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced this week that 206 illegal aliens had been arrested between April 6 and April 12 in a New York City sting.

ICE noted that more than half of the migrants arrested had significant criminal convictions or are currently facing charges for crimes like murder, assault, arson, rape, drugs, and illegal firearms. One of the illegal immigrants who was arrested is a 22-year-old member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang.

"The majority of the aliens arrested have egregious criminal histories to include manslaughter, rape, assault, drug trafficking, and sex assault against minors," stated Judith Almodovar, the acting field office director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said last week's operation "targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods."

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School employee makes shocking confession to police about sexually abusing student: Court docs



A school employee in Alabama was arrested after making a shocking confession to police officers about sexually abusing a student, according to court documents.

Amy Nicole Wigginton — a 41-year-old school worker from Rogersville — was arrested Friday and has been charged with two counts of a school employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student.

Wigginton allegedly admitted to having sex with a student under the age of 19 on March 7 as well as on March 31. The Daily Mail said the encounters occurred at her home.

According to the Lauderdale County High School faculty and staff website page, Wigginton was listed as working in the "Child Nutrition Program."

The Daily Mail reported that Wigginton is a married "lunch lady" who "often shared images to social media with her husband and children."

Wigginton reportedly has been placed on administrative leave following her arrest, according to the Lauderdale County School District.

Citing court documents, WAAY-TV reported that Wigginton waived her Miranda rights during police questioning and confessed to engaging in sexual acts with a school district student on two separate occasions.

Wigginton allegedly admitted to having sex with a student under the age of 19 on March 7 as well as on March 31, according to court docs. The Daily Mail said the encounters occurred at her home.

The age of consent in Alabama is 16 years old, according to Alabama state law. However, victims up to the age of 18 cannot consent to sex with a school employee.

The Lauderdale County School District said in a statement: “The Lauderdale County Board of Education is aware of the allegations, and the employee has been placed on administrative leave."

"We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials, and have no further comment on this matter," the school district stated.

The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office told WAFF-TV that the case is still under investigation, and the LCSO has no further comment.

Wigginton was booked into the Lauderdale County Jail, where she is being held on a $100,000 bond.

You can watch a local newscast from WAAY-TV here on the allegations against the school employee accused of child sexual assault.

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Shocking texts, secret 'memoir' reportedly reveal special-ed teacher's affair with student



New eyebrow-raising allegations have surfaced in the case against an Illinois special education teacher who is accused of having an "inappropriate sexual relationship" with a student. The teacher reportedly sent shocking text messages to the student and kept a secret "memoir" detailing her anger after the relationship ended.

As Blaze News reported last month, 30-year-old Christina Formella was arrested on March 16. She was charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault against a minor. Formella was released after her first court appearance on the conditions that she not enter school grounds and not have contact with anybody under 18.

'I love you sooooo much baby.'

Since 2020, Formella has been a special education teacher at Downers Grove South High School, where she was also a boys' and girls' soccer coach.

Formella reportedly was the alleged victim's soccer coach and tutor.

In December 2023, the then-28-year-old teacher allegedly sexually assaulted the boy when he was 15 years old.

The DuPage County state's attorney said in a statement that "the victim and Formella were in a classroom for a tutoring session before school began, when Formella sexually assaulted the boy."

“I love having sex with you," Formella allegedly wrote in a text message sent to the boy in 2023, according to court documents.

WGN-TV reported that the student said in a text message to his teacher, “I love you so so much mama.”

Formella allegedly replied, “I love you sooooo much baby… Even though this morning was short, it was perfect."

The student reportedly responded, “I know baby, it was perfect baby, so perfect.”

The illicit sexual encounter reportedly was the only time the pair was intimate. Both allegedly admitted that the sexual encounter was wrong, according to the New York Post.

The student allegedly ended the relationship, and the pair didn’t speak after February 2024, prosecutors said.

Formella reportedly became infuriated with the alleged victim for cheating on her.

The married teacher allegedly had a secret "memoir" in her phone's notes app.

Following her arrest, investigators searched her cell phone and allegedly discovered notes saying the student “cheated on me” and calling him “disgusting,” according to a petition to deny her pretrial release that People magazine obtained.

“We will never ever be together again,” Formella purportedly wrote. “I'm not a second choice. I'm the best thing you'll ever have even with all of my mistakes.”

In a section titled “Manifestations,” the teacher allegedly wrote that she expected the teen to "reach out" soon to "try to fix things between us."

“In the meantime, I’m going to live my best life knowing he’s not the person I thought he was and that he is beneath me,” she reportedly wrote.

When detectives pressed her about her notes, Formella allegedly claimed that writing was a way she dealt with anxiety. According to police, Formella said she didn't have sex with the student, and any reference to sexual content was a reference to her husband.

According to the petition, Formella claimed that “everybody comes after her because she is good-looking, and she is just a good person who cared too much about [the alleged victim].”

Formella allegedly described the boy as a "stalker."

As Blaze News previously reported, Formella allegedly told investigators that the student broke into her phone and sent text messages to himself to set her up for blackmail.

"She claimed that one day, [the boy] had grabbed her phone unattended, had entered her passcode ... had sent the message to his phone, had then deleted the message from her phone, and had saved it to his phone as blackmail," according to court documents.

Formella was arrested after the teen's mother found sexually explicit text messages on the boy's cell phone.

'I have a feeling I'm going to throw up.'

Recently released police bodycam video showing the moment Formella was arrested during a traffic stop.

The officer is seen on video requesting Formella step out of her vehicle.

Formella's confused husband says, "I don't understand what's going on here."

The officer does not explain the reason for the arrest.

"Once you get to the police station, you'll talk to the detective, and he'll explain everything to you," the officer is heard saying on the video.

Formella breaks down in tears and says, "I have a feeling I'm going to throw up."

The teacher is on paid leave from Downers Grove South High School.

Downers Grove South High School Principal Arwen Lyp wrote in an email to parents, "We are devastated, and our community is reeling. An adult has been charged with the most serious of violations, and trust has been broken. Our team is here to support students who are impacted by this terrible news."

Don Renner, president of the Board of Education of Community High School District 99, previously stated: "We are heartbroken for the victim and also for the hundreds of students, staff, and [families] who trusted this teacher and feel betrayed by this terrible situation. Our top focus now is to support for [sic] victim and their family."

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "The allegations against Ms. Formella are extremely disturbing."

"It is alleged that she used her position of trust and authority as a tutor and a coach to sexually assault a minor student," Berlin continued. "The type of abuse and behavior alleged in this case will not be tolerated."

Formella is scheduled to appear in court on April 14.

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5 more students accuse jailed ex-teacher of child sex crimes; allegations of group sex involving popular movie mask surface



A former Indiana teacher faces dozens of child sex crime charges after five more alleged victims have come forward with shocking accusations against the 31-year-old woman, according to authorities.

As Blaze News previously reported last month, 31-year-old Brittany Fortinberry was arrested and charged with three felony counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, a count of dissemination of matter harmful to a minor, and a count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Fortinberry allegedly would offer the minors drugs and then attempt to have sex with them.

However, the former teacher now faces several more criminal charges after five more alleged victims accused her of committing child sex crimes.

WISH-TV reported that Fortinberry now faces a total of 29 charges relating to child molestation, dissemination of harmful material to minors, and contributing to juvenile delinquency.

If convicted on all charges, Fortinberry faces a maximum sentence of 262 years in prison. Prosecutors have filed to increase Fortinberry's bond from $20,000 to $150,000.

Fortinberry had worked as a substitute teacher with the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville, which is about 40 miles southwest of Indianapolis.

Fortinberry had worked at Eminence High School in Morgan County where she reportedly taught several of her alleged victims.

The school district allegedly no longer employed Fortinberry as of Jan. 9, 2024.

After Fortinberry's February arrest, alleged victims contacted local authorities to reveal more accusations of child sex abuse.

Citing court documents, WTHR-TV reported that a middle school boy accused Fortinberry of "drugging him repeatedly and having sex with him when he was 13."

The alleged victim reportedly told investigators that the ex-teacher would encourage him to bring his friends to his house. Once there, Fortinberry allegedly would offer the minors drugs and then attempt to have sex with them.

An alleged victim reportedly told police that Fortinberry would put her children to bed and then attempt to have sex with the boys.

Court documents accuse Fortinberry of having group sex with the minors while forcing them to wear a popular movie mask.

"In another incident, a victim said that Fortinberry reached out to him after she had been arrested in a separate misconduct investigation," according to WTHR-TV. "She allegedly spent $600 on a group of teens for various purchases and then had sex with all of them, while making them wear the mask from the movie 'Scream.'"

An alleged victim purportedly told investigators that if any of the boys said they didn't want to have sex with her that she would try to coerce them by telling them, "Just let it happen."

All the teenagers claimed Fortinberry sent them nude and explicit photos and videos on Snapchat and an app called Session.

One student allegedly said Fortinberry paid the boys between $100 and $800 for photos of their genitals.

Fortinberry’s husband on Feb. 21 filed for divorce from his wife of four years, according to TMZ.

A 14-year-old student allegedly said Fortinberry would buy the boys dinner, gifts, vapes, weed, and THC cartridges.

According to court docs, Fortinberry allegedly had sex with a teenager, whom she had asked to babysit her children.

Fortinberry reportedly threatened to kill herself if any of the teens divulged their illicit escapades.

A parent of one of the alleged victims said Fortinberry's husband knew about the child sex abuse and "threatened to slaughter [the teen] in front of her if he came forward."

Nicholas Fortinberry, the suspect's husband, has been charged with intimidation and failure to report.

Fortinberry’s husband on Feb. 21 filed for divorce from his wife of four years, according to TMZ.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville previously stated, "The Metropolitan School District of Martinsville was notified of serious allegations against a former employee. The district is fully cooperating with law enforcement and remains committed to ensuring a safe learning environment for all of the MSD of Martinsville students."

The district said Fortinberry was hired as a substitute teacher on Oct. 24, 2023, and resigned from the school district on Jan. 9, 2024.

"The resignation was not related to sexual misconduct allegations," the spokesperson said.

Fortinberry's trial is scheduled to begin June 25.

You can watch a local newscast of the latest allegations in the teacher sex scandal here.

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Male leaves creepy note on 17-year-old's car. Now he's behind bars after making single mistake.



A Michigan male is behind bars after reportedly leaving a creepy note on a minor's car last week — and the suspect made one egregious mistake that easily tipped off police.

Officers from the Auburn Hills Police Department responded to an incident outside a Target store around 6 p.m. Tuesday.

'According to Auburn Hills Police, multiple parents have since reported their children found similar notes on their cars with the same phone number.'

Police said a "suspicious" note was left on a 17-year-old's vehicle located in the parking lot and said in a statement that the note was "sexually explicit in nature."

Citing Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, MLive.com reported that the note "contained an offer to pay the teen for sexual favors."

It didn't take long for officers to track down the suspect because he allegedly left his phone number on the incriminating note.

Officers called the number and were able to determine that the suspect was still in the Target parking lot — and was sitting in his vehicle.

Police found 38-year-old Thomas Mellick Hensler of Clarkston in the vehicle.

Police allegedly also discovered a controlled substance believed to be methamphetamine in the vehicle.

In addition, officers also found sex toys inside Hensler's vehicle, WWJ-TV reported.

Hensler was arrested and booked into Oakland County Jail.

The following day, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office hit Hensler with three felony charges:

  • Child sexually abusive activity, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
  • Using a computer to commit a crime, punishable byt up to 20 years in prison.
  • Possession of a controlled substance, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Hensler was detained on a $25,000 bond, according to jail records.

The Auburn Hills Police Department noted that if Hensler is released from jail, he has been ordered to wear a GPS tether and is prohibited from returning to the Target store in Auburn Hills or having any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Hensler is scheduled to return to court Thursday.

Other incidents?

Parents reportedly said this wasn't the first time that children were targeted with sexually charged notes featuring the same phone number.

"According to Auburn Hills Police, multiple parents have since reported their children found similar notes on their cars with the same phone number," stated Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. "If you believe your children were targeted in this way, please contact your local police. We take every incident seriously because we need to know if this was serial behavior."

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact the Auburn Hills Police Department at 248-370-9460.

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