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May 04, 2005
Midvale Police Arrests Man Accused of Child Sexual Abuse
Midvale Police have arrested a man accused of sexually abusing boys in his neighborhood.
The mothers of 2 alleged victims called police, after their kids wanted to spend the night at the suspect's house.
The complaints began an investigation that uncovered some disturbing allegations.
Debra Duran: "WE ALL GREW UP TOGETHER. IT'S A TIGHT FAMILY OUT HERE. YOU DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S HAPPENING."
But for a while, Debra Duran felt something bad was going on, at her neighbor's house.
Debra Duran: "HE'S A SINGLE MAN. HE HAS NO KIDS, AND THERE'S A MILLION LITTLE KIDS OVER THERE."
She saw kids, as young as 5 years old, there. All boys, from the neighborhood.
Debra Duran: "WE HAD TOLD SOME OF THE KIDS, 'DON'T GO THERE. HE'S BAD. HE'S GOING TO HURT YOU'."
Police say, her instincts were right. They arrested 37-year old Frank Lucero, for child sexual abuse and rape.
Police know of 8 potential victims so far, between 7 and 14 years old, and there could be more.
Sgt. John Salazar/Midvale Police Dept.: "HE WOULD LURE THEM WITH BIKES, GAMES AND COMPUTERS. HE WAS REALLY GOOD ON HIS COMPUTER. 'OH, COME AND SEE MY NEW GAME ON MY COMPUTER'."
During a search of Lucero's home, police recovered 5 computer hard drives, CDs, DVDs, and sexually explicit photos.
Sgt. John Salazar: "SOME OF THE PICTURES ARE OF THE VICTIM, AND SOME OF THE PICTURES ARE IN AREAS NOT IN UTAH. THERE ARE PICTURES OF THE BEACH WITH NUDE CHILDREN."
But even with the disturbing allegations, neighbors have mixed feelings, because they've known the suspect and his family, for years.
Debra Duran: "CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE YOU KNEW OR THOUGHT YOU KNEW SO WELL WAS LIKE THIS."
Alberto: "IT MAKES ME DISGUSTED, YEAH. ANGRY? NO, NOT REALLY. YOU KNOW, IT HAPPENS. SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST SICK AND WRONG."
Police say Frank Lucero has a criminal history, which includes drug and child abuse charges.
He is in jail, on a total of 23 felony counts related to child sexual abuse.
Posted by Nealus at May 4, 2005 11:24 AM
