http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/crime-law/two-sexting-cases-two-men-headed-for-prison/njJsH/
Two Palm Beach County sexting cases, two men headed for prison
Posted: 6:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 | Filed in: Crime & Law
A suburban West Palm Beach man and a Lake Park karate school owner, both accused of “sexting” with underage girls, were sentenced Monday to two and three-and-a-half years in prison, respectively.
In two separate hearings, Circuit Judge David Crow sentenced Edward Callahan to two years in prison and five years of probation and Circuit Judge Stephen Rapp sentenced Sean Kowlessar to 42 months in prison followed by 18 months of probation.
Police said they began investigating Callahan in August 2012 after allegations surfaced that a West Virginia 16-year-old had been sending nude pictures of herself to him. The girl told police that she and Callahan, now 52, met online. While at first he sent her money freely to to help her out, the girl said, he eventually agreed to send her money only if she sent him nude photos.
Police say Callahan gave the girl $1,500 for five nude photos. Though Callahan told police he and the girl had a “sexting” relationship and that he sent her money knowing she was a minor, he denied having naked pictures of her.
In Kowlessar’s case, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies say the Lake Park Martial Arts studio owner started his sexting relationship with a 14-year-old student by leaving inappropriate messages in bathroom drawer. The interaction eventually evolved into him sending her explicit photos of himself, including some with him partially nude and aroused, though an internet application called Kik.com.
The 14-year-old victim said the sexting manifested itself with one physical encounter with Kowlessar at the office of the karate dojo, where he “hugged” her for 15 minutes and kissed her on the cheek.
Assistant State Attorney Gregory Schiller, the prosecutor in both cases, said though the circumstances of the two cases were different they both involved adults taking advantage of minors.
“We’re pleased with any outcome that can ensure that other children are safe,” Schiller said.
Two Palm Beach County sexting cases, two men headed for prison
Posted: 6:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 | Filed in: Crime & Law
A suburban West Palm Beach man and a Lake Park karate school owner, both accused of “sexting” with underage girls, were sentenced Monday to two and three-and-a-half years in prison, respectively.
In two separate hearings, Circuit Judge David Crow sentenced Edward Callahan to two years in prison and five years of probation and Circuit Judge Stephen Rapp sentenced Sean Kowlessar to 42 months in prison followed by 18 months of probation.
Police said they began investigating Callahan in August 2012 after allegations surfaced that a West Virginia 16-year-old had been sending nude pictures of herself to him. The girl told police that she and Callahan, now 52, met online. While at first he sent her money freely to to help her out, the girl said, he eventually agreed to send her money only if she sent him nude photos.
Police say Callahan gave the girl $1,500 for five nude photos. Though Callahan told police he and the girl had a “sexting” relationship and that he sent her money knowing she was a minor, he denied having naked pictures of her.
In Kowlessar’s case, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies say the Lake Park Martial Arts studio owner started his sexting relationship with a 14-year-old student by leaving inappropriate messages in bathroom drawer. The interaction eventually evolved into him sending her explicit photos of himself, including some with him partially nude and aroused, though an internet application called Kik.com.
The 14-year-old victim said the sexting manifested itself with one physical encounter with Kowlessar at the office of the karate dojo, where he “hugged” her for 15 minutes and kissed her on the cheek.
Assistant State Attorney Gregory Schiller, the prosecutor in both cases, said though the circumstances of the two cases were different they both involved adults taking advantage of minors.
“We’re pleased with any outcome that can ensure that other children are safe,” Schiller said.
http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_12420.shtml
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
Martial arts instructor charged with soliciting 14-year old
Story by Chuck Weber/CBS 12
NORTH PALM BEACH, Fl. -- The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has charged the owner of a martial arts school with exchanging sexually explicit photos and messages with a 14-year old female student.
CBS 12 had the only camera in court on Thursday, as 27-year old Sean Kowlessar went before a judge, charged with soliciting a minor.
The arrest report says the girl took classes at Kowlessar's school, Lake Park Martial Arts, on Northlake Boulevard in North Palm Beach. The report says the 14-year old victim had classes three days a week, but "Kowlessar started having private classes with her."
Investigators say they found sexually-charged online messages between the two. The arrest report says Kowlessar once hugged the girl, and kissed her on the cheek, but there's no mention of actual sexual activity.
"Nothing physical happened," noted Kowlessar's attorney, Ken Lemoine, addressing the judge. "There's opportunities where they were allegedly alone in an office. Nothing happened."
A sign on the school's door indicates the business is closed, which Carmen Correa learned when she brought her 9-year old granddaughter for class. We broke the news to Correa about Kowlessar's arrest, and the reasons for the charges.
"What?" Correa exclaimed. "Oh my God, I can't believe this."
An adult who takes classes at the school, said Kowlessar had recently become a "master," and enjoyed a good reputation in the martial arts community.
"He's a young man, always very polite, very soft-spoken," said Barbara Brinich, who works at the medical supply store next door to the school. She said the business seemed very busy.
The Sheriff's Office says it wants anyone with information of other possible victims to come forward.
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
Martial arts instructor charged with soliciting 14-year old
Story by Chuck Weber/CBS 12
NORTH PALM BEACH, Fl. -- The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has charged the owner of a martial arts school with exchanging sexually explicit photos and messages with a 14-year old female student.
CBS 12 had the only camera in court on Thursday, as 27-year old Sean Kowlessar went before a judge, charged with soliciting a minor.
The arrest report says the girl took classes at Kowlessar's school, Lake Park Martial Arts, on Northlake Boulevard in North Palm Beach. The report says the 14-year old victim had classes three days a week, but "Kowlessar started having private classes with her."
Investigators say they found sexually-charged online messages between the two. The arrest report says Kowlessar once hugged the girl, and kissed her on the cheek, but there's no mention of actual sexual activity.
"Nothing physical happened," noted Kowlessar's attorney, Ken Lemoine, addressing the judge. "There's opportunities where they were allegedly alone in an office. Nothing happened."
A sign on the school's door indicates the business is closed, which Carmen Correa learned when she brought her 9-year old granddaughter for class. We broke the news to Correa about Kowlessar's arrest, and the reasons for the charges.
"What?" Correa exclaimed. "Oh my God, I can't believe this."
An adult who takes classes at the school, said Kowlessar had recently become a "master," and enjoyed a good reputation in the martial arts community.
"He's a young man, always very polite, very soft-spoken," said Barbara Brinich, who works at the medical supply store next door to the school. She said the business seemed very busy.
The Sheriff's Office says it wants anyone with information of other possible victims to come forward.