http://www.richmond.com/news/local/crime/former-charlottesville-teacher-pleads-guilty-to-child-pornography-charge/article_2022b1cb-bca8-5a66-8285-b880dc26de82.html
Former Charlottesville teacher pleads guilty to child pornography charge
BY BRYAN MCKENZIE The Daily Progress Apr 27, 2018
Richard A. Wellbeloved-Stone, once a popular and respected environmental sciences teacher and accomplished karate instructor, admitted Thursday that he coerced minors to engage in sexually explicit acts to create pornography.
Wellbeloved-Stone, 57, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charlottesville to one count of creating child pornography.
Under the plea bargain, two other counts of coercing a minor to engage in “sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing one or more visual depictions of such conduct” were dropped, as was a child-porn possession charge.
Got a news tip? Email tips and photos here.
In exchange for his plea, prosecutors recommended a 15-year sentence, the minimum in federal sentencing guidelines.
Dressed in a wide-striped, black-and-white prison jumpsuit, Wellbeloved-Stone sat at the defendant’s table, hunched forward and hung his head as Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy S. Healey read the narrative of the charge to which he pleaded guilty.
Healy said a search warrant was sought for Wellbeloved-Stone’s home and computers in July after online conversations between him and a Britain-based undercover agent described Wellbeloved-Stone’s interest in performing oral sex on a child. The agent contacted federal Homeland Security agents who in turn contacted local police.
Healy said the search turned up 20 cellphone pictures, and each showed a prepubescent girl taken from the waist down. The focus was on the girl’s genitalia, and some of the photos showed “the hand of an adult male manipulating this pre-pubescent female’s vagina.”
According to Healy, Wellbeloved-Stone used two different minors whom he knew and sometimes served as custodian to engage in sexual acts to create pornography. The girls were identified in the photographs by their parents. The photographs were taken in 2011, 2014 and 2017.
The agreement calls for Wellbeloved-Stone to pay an undecided amount of restitution to all of the victims, including those who were involved in dropped charges.
Wellbeloved-Stone, who taught in local schools for two decades, was arrested in July 2017 and resigned his position in August, according to Charlottesville City Schools.
“The horrific nature of Richard Wellbeloved-Stone’s production of images depicting the sexual abuse of children is only compounded by the fact that he held a position of great societal trust and admiration as a teacher,” said John P. Cronan, acting assistant U.S. attorney, in statement released after the court hearing.
“The defendant, who was entrusted by the community to protect our children, violated that sacred trust by committing these awful acts,” U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen said. “I am thankful to those who stopped him from committing further crimes. As this case demonstrates, we will aggressively target those who prey on children.”
Wellbeloved-Stone is scheduled to return to court for a sentencing hearing July 30. The final sentence could be longer or shorter than the 15 years in the agreement, based on the judge’s decision.
Send news tips to [email protected], call (434) 978-7264, tweet us @DailyProgress or send us a Facebook message here.
Former Charlottesville teacher pleads guilty to child pornography charge
BY BRYAN MCKENZIE The Daily Progress Apr 27, 2018
Richard A. Wellbeloved-Stone, once a popular and respected environmental sciences teacher and accomplished karate instructor, admitted Thursday that he coerced minors to engage in sexually explicit acts to create pornography.
Wellbeloved-Stone, 57, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charlottesville to one count of creating child pornography.
Under the plea bargain, two other counts of coercing a minor to engage in “sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing one or more visual depictions of such conduct” were dropped, as was a child-porn possession charge.
Got a news tip? Email tips and photos here.
In exchange for his plea, prosecutors recommended a 15-year sentence, the minimum in federal sentencing guidelines.
Dressed in a wide-striped, black-and-white prison jumpsuit, Wellbeloved-Stone sat at the defendant’s table, hunched forward and hung his head as Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy S. Healey read the narrative of the charge to which he pleaded guilty.
Healy said a search warrant was sought for Wellbeloved-Stone’s home and computers in July after online conversations between him and a Britain-based undercover agent described Wellbeloved-Stone’s interest in performing oral sex on a child. The agent contacted federal Homeland Security agents who in turn contacted local police.
Healy said the search turned up 20 cellphone pictures, and each showed a prepubescent girl taken from the waist down. The focus was on the girl’s genitalia, and some of the photos showed “the hand of an adult male manipulating this pre-pubescent female’s vagina.”
According to Healy, Wellbeloved-Stone used two different minors whom he knew and sometimes served as custodian to engage in sexual acts to create pornography. The girls were identified in the photographs by their parents. The photographs were taken in 2011, 2014 and 2017.
The agreement calls for Wellbeloved-Stone to pay an undecided amount of restitution to all of the victims, including those who were involved in dropped charges.
Wellbeloved-Stone, who taught in local schools for two decades, was arrested in July 2017 and resigned his position in August, according to Charlottesville City Schools.
“The horrific nature of Richard Wellbeloved-Stone’s production of images depicting the sexual abuse of children is only compounded by the fact that he held a position of great societal trust and admiration as a teacher,” said John P. Cronan, acting assistant U.S. attorney, in statement released after the court hearing.
“The defendant, who was entrusted by the community to protect our children, violated that sacred trust by committing these awful acts,” U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen said. “I am thankful to those who stopped him from committing further crimes. As this case demonstrates, we will aggressively target those who prey on children.”
Wellbeloved-Stone is scheduled to return to court for a sentencing hearing July 30. The final sentence could be longer or shorter than the 15 years in the agreement, based on the judge’s decision.
Send news tips to [email protected], call (434) 978-7264, tweet us @DailyProgress or send us a Facebook message here.
http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/crime/child-pornography-case-against-chs-teacher-likely-to-become-much/article_0ad0a06a-73ae-11e7-b8c1-13195c608db0.html
Child pornography case against CHS teacher likely to become 'much larger'
BY DEAN SEAL 8 hrs ago (…)
A longtime Charlottesville teacher charged with possessing child pornography may face more charges in federal court, according to the prosecutor in his case.
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone was arrested Thursday and charged with one felony count of possession of child pornography. The 56-year-old is an environmental science teacher at Charlottesville High School, and he was promptly suspended by the school system after news of his arrest was released.
At his first court appearance in Charlottesville General District Court on Friday morning, Wellbeloved-Stone said he plans to hire his own attorney. Asked if he still would be employed in light of his arrest, he responded: “I don’t know; it depends on the outcome of this.”
CHS teacher charged with child pornography possession
CHS teacher charged with child pornography possession
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone, 56, is being held without bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.
Prosecutor Nina-Alice Antony had no questions for Wellbeloved-Stone but told Judge Robert Downer that information leading to Wellbeloved-Stone’s arrest had come from the Department of Homeland Security and that it was likely the matter would develop into a “much larger case.”
Antony continued that there was “every expectation” that the case would be taken on by federal prosecutors, and hinted that Wellbeloved-Stone likely would be facing more charges as the case moves forward.
Wellbeloved-Stone has until Sept. 14 to request a court-appointed attorney if he is unable to secure his own, and he is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on Sept. 28.
The arrest comes two days after authorities executed a search warrant at Wellbeloved-Stone’s Cottonwood Road residence, where he’s lived with his family for 17 years.
He was suspended from Charlottesville City Schools immediately following his arrest, where he’s been employed since 2002. Schools Superintendent Rosa Atkins called the arrest a “troubling announcement.”
“We are saddened for all involved, but will focus our attention on caring for our school community,” Atkins said in a statement. “We appreciate the Charlottesville community’s trust in our school division, and we work very hard to live up to that trust as we serve our students and families.”
[The Daily Progress news app keeps you up-to-date. Click here to get the free iOS or Android app.]
A staffer with ACAC Fitness & Wellness (Centers) has confirmed that Wellbeloved-Stone has been employed at one of ACAC’s Charlottesville-area facilities as a karate instructor. A spokesperson for ACAC did not respond to requests for comment about his employment status.
Prior to working for Charlottesville City Schools, Wellbeloved-Stone taught Earth science and environmental studies at Nelson County High School from 1989 until 1994. He then began teaching in an alternative education program at the Living Education Center for Ecology and the Arts, a private school formerly located on Old Preston Avenue.
Wellbeloved-Stone also has worked as a physical education teacher, naturalist, nature guide and teacher of survival skills, according to a 1995 Daily Progress profile for the paper’s Distinguished Dozen series.
Wellbeloved-Stone was featured in a 2011 article from The Washington Post about a trek through Botswana’s Okavango Delta, in which he was described as an adventure-seeking wilderness expert who “wanted feats of daring and bush bravado to awe his students back home.”
Police have opened a 24/7 manned tip line and are asking for anyone with information related to the matter to call (866) 347-2423.
Dean Seal is a reporter for The Daily Progress. Contact him at (434) 978-7268, [email protected] or @JDeanSeal on Twitter.
Child pornography case against CHS teacher likely to become 'much larger'
BY DEAN SEAL 8 hrs ago (…)
A longtime Charlottesville teacher charged with possessing child pornography may face more charges in federal court, according to the prosecutor in his case.
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone was arrested Thursday and charged with one felony count of possession of child pornography. The 56-year-old is an environmental science teacher at Charlottesville High School, and he was promptly suspended by the school system after news of his arrest was released.
At his first court appearance in Charlottesville General District Court on Friday morning, Wellbeloved-Stone said he plans to hire his own attorney. Asked if he still would be employed in light of his arrest, he responded: “I don’t know; it depends on the outcome of this.”
CHS teacher charged with child pornography possession
CHS teacher charged with child pornography possession
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone, 56, is being held without bond at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.
Prosecutor Nina-Alice Antony had no questions for Wellbeloved-Stone but told Judge Robert Downer that information leading to Wellbeloved-Stone’s arrest had come from the Department of Homeland Security and that it was likely the matter would develop into a “much larger case.”
Antony continued that there was “every expectation” that the case would be taken on by federal prosecutors, and hinted that Wellbeloved-Stone likely would be facing more charges as the case moves forward.
Wellbeloved-Stone has until Sept. 14 to request a court-appointed attorney if he is unable to secure his own, and he is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on Sept. 28.
The arrest comes two days after authorities executed a search warrant at Wellbeloved-Stone’s Cottonwood Road residence, where he’s lived with his family for 17 years.
He was suspended from Charlottesville City Schools immediately following his arrest, where he’s been employed since 2002. Schools Superintendent Rosa Atkins called the arrest a “troubling announcement.”
“We are saddened for all involved, but will focus our attention on caring for our school community,” Atkins said in a statement. “We appreciate the Charlottesville community’s trust in our school division, and we work very hard to live up to that trust as we serve our students and families.”
[The Daily Progress news app keeps you up-to-date. Click here to get the free iOS or Android app.]
A staffer with ACAC Fitness & Wellness (Centers) has confirmed that Wellbeloved-Stone has been employed at one of ACAC’s Charlottesville-area facilities as a karate instructor. A spokesperson for ACAC did not respond to requests for comment about his employment status.
Prior to working for Charlottesville City Schools, Wellbeloved-Stone taught Earth science and environmental studies at Nelson County High School from 1989 until 1994. He then began teaching in an alternative education program at the Living Education Center for Ecology and the Arts, a private school formerly located on Old Preston Avenue.
Wellbeloved-Stone also has worked as a physical education teacher, naturalist, nature guide and teacher of survival skills, according to a 1995 Daily Progress profile for the paper’s Distinguished Dozen series.
Wellbeloved-Stone was featured in a 2011 article from The Washington Post about a trek through Botswana’s Okavango Delta, in which he was described as an adventure-seeking wilderness expert who “wanted feats of daring and bush bravado to awe his students back home.”
Police have opened a 24/7 manned tip line and are asking for anyone with information related to the matter to call (866) 347-2423.
Dean Seal is a reporter for The Daily Progress. Contact him at (434) 978-7268, [email protected] or @JDeanSeal on Twitter.
http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/crime/wellbeloved-stone-now-facing-counts-of-child-pornography-production/article_e8b2b7ee-7933-11e7-8a1e-4b11bf130b95.html
Wellbeloved-Stone now facing 19 counts of child pornography production
The Daily Progress staff reports Aug 4, 2017 (…)
A well-known Charlottesville High School teacher is facing 20 new counts following his arrest last week on a charge of possessing child pornography.
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone, 56, has been charged with 19 counts of producing child pornography and one count of aggravated sexual battery, according to a Friday news release from city police.
Wellbeloved-Stone was arrested on July 27 and charged with one count of possession of child pornography. The CHS environmental science teacher was immediately suspended, according to the school system.
Questions abound at meeting about CHS teacher’s arrest
Questions abound at meeting about CHS teacher’s arrest
Community shocked by child porn charge
At Wellbeloved-Stone’s first court appearance last week, a city prosecutor said federal authorities could become involved in the case and that the investigation may become “much larger,” hinting that more charges could be forthcoming.
In Friday’s announcement, a spokesman for the city police said special agents from the Homeland Security Investigations division of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency were involved in serving the new slate of warrants on Wellbeloved-Stone. A spokeswoman for ICE said that as more evidence is reviewed, “more victims could be identified.”
Wellbeloved-Stone was returned to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail on Friday after being temporarily transferred to a different facility earlier this week. Details on the previous transfer could not be determined by press time.
A preliminary hearing for his possession of child pornography charge is scheduled for Sept. 28. It is not yet clear when Wellbeloved-Stone will have his first hearing on the new charges.
On Monday, city police Major Gary Pleasants told a crowd of about 50 people at a community meeting at CHS that the victim in the case was younger than high-school age, and that photos recovered from the July 25 search of Wellbeloved-Stone’s home depicted the victim in a “school setting.” Pleasants said it was unclear what school the photos were taken in.
Wellbeloved-Stone has been a teacher in the region for more than two decades.
[The Daily Progress news app keeps you up-to-date. Click here to get the free iOS or Android app.]
He was employed by Nelson County Public Schools from 1989 to 1994, before going to teach at the Living Education Center for Ecology and the Arts, an area private school.
Sometime in 1995, he began teaching science at Walton Middle School in Albemarle, according to a county schools spokesman. He then moved to Charlottesville City Schools in 2002, and remained there until his suspension.
Also during Monday’s community meeting, several of Wellbeloved-Stone’s former students and parents of his former students described the longtime educator as a “wonderful teacher” and as well-regarded by his pupils and peers.
Charlottesville High School’s principal, Eric Irizarry, said during the community meeting that Wellbeloved-Stone’s high school environmental science class likely will still be offered when the school year starts back up later this month.
Wellbeloved-Stone was also a karate instructor at ACAC Fitness & Wellness Centers. It is unclear how the arrest has affected his employment there.
Police have opened a 24/7 manned tip line and are asking for anyone with information related to the matter to call (866) 347-2423.
Send news tips to [email protected], call (434) 978-7264, tweet us @DailyProgress or send us a Facebook message here.
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Tags
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-stone Criminal Law Law Child Pornography Battery County Production Count Albemarle-charlottesville Regional Jail Charlottesville Charge Crime Prosecutor Preliminary Hearing Possession Police Education School Gary Pleasants Charlottesville High School Victim
The Daily Progress staff
Wellbeloved-Stone now facing 19 counts of child pornography production
The Daily Progress staff reports Aug 4, 2017 (…)
A well-known Charlottesville High School teacher is facing 20 new counts following his arrest last week on a charge of possessing child pornography.
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone, 56, has been charged with 19 counts of producing child pornography and one count of aggravated sexual battery, according to a Friday news release from city police.
Wellbeloved-Stone was arrested on July 27 and charged with one count of possession of child pornography. The CHS environmental science teacher was immediately suspended, according to the school system.
Questions abound at meeting about CHS teacher’s arrest
Questions abound at meeting about CHS teacher’s arrest
Community shocked by child porn charge
At Wellbeloved-Stone’s first court appearance last week, a city prosecutor said federal authorities could become involved in the case and that the investigation may become “much larger,” hinting that more charges could be forthcoming.
In Friday’s announcement, a spokesman for the city police said special agents from the Homeland Security Investigations division of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency were involved in serving the new slate of warrants on Wellbeloved-Stone. A spokeswoman for ICE said that as more evidence is reviewed, “more victims could be identified.”
Wellbeloved-Stone was returned to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail on Friday after being temporarily transferred to a different facility earlier this week. Details on the previous transfer could not be determined by press time.
A preliminary hearing for his possession of child pornography charge is scheduled for Sept. 28. It is not yet clear when Wellbeloved-Stone will have his first hearing on the new charges.
On Monday, city police Major Gary Pleasants told a crowd of about 50 people at a community meeting at CHS that the victim in the case was younger than high-school age, and that photos recovered from the July 25 search of Wellbeloved-Stone’s home depicted the victim in a “school setting.” Pleasants said it was unclear what school the photos were taken in.
Wellbeloved-Stone has been a teacher in the region for more than two decades.
[The Daily Progress news app keeps you up-to-date. Click here to get the free iOS or Android app.]
He was employed by Nelson County Public Schools from 1989 to 1994, before going to teach at the Living Education Center for Ecology and the Arts, an area private school.
Sometime in 1995, he began teaching science at Walton Middle School in Albemarle, according to a county schools spokesman. He then moved to Charlottesville City Schools in 2002, and remained there until his suspension.
Also during Monday’s community meeting, several of Wellbeloved-Stone’s former students and parents of his former students described the longtime educator as a “wonderful teacher” and as well-regarded by his pupils and peers.
Charlottesville High School’s principal, Eric Irizarry, said during the community meeting that Wellbeloved-Stone’s high school environmental science class likely will still be offered when the school year starts back up later this month.
Wellbeloved-Stone was also a karate instructor at ACAC Fitness & Wellness Centers. It is unclear how the arrest has affected his employment there.
Police have opened a 24/7 manned tip line and are asking for anyone with information related to the matter to call (866) 347-2423.
Send news tips to [email protected], call (434) 978-7264, tweet us @DailyProgress or send us a Facebook message here.
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-Stone
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Tags
Richard Alan Wellbeloved-stone Criminal Law Law Child Pornography Battery County Production Count Albemarle-charlottesville Regional Jail Charlottesville Charge Crime Prosecutor Preliminary Hearing Possession Police Education School Gary Pleasants Charlottesville High School Victim
The Daily Progress staff