Admits

Hawaii Man Admits to Sexual Abuse of Inmates

Hawaii Man Admits to Sexual Abuse of Inmates

**Honolulu, HI** – A Hawaii man, Mikael Rivera, has admitted to sexually abusing inmates under his supervision. Rivera, 47, was a correctional officer at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu from around 2014 to 2018. Court documents reveal he engaged in non-consensual sexual acts with one inmate and committed sexually abusive conduct with two other inmates during his tenure.

Rivera has pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual abuse of a ward. He is due for sentencing on July 3 and could face up to 15 years in prison per count. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence, considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.

The announcement was made by Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii, and Zachary Shroyer, Special Agent in Charge of the DOJ Office of the Inspector General’s Western Region.

The DOJ Office of the Inspector General leads the investigation, with assistance from the FBI. Nicole Lockhart, Trial Attorney in the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, and Assistant U

Read more

New Jersey Youth Soccer Coach Admits to Sexual Offenses

Youth Soccer Coach Admits to Sexual Offenses

**Freehold, NJ** – A local youth soccer coach confessed to numerous sexual offenses against former student-athletes, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, who made the announcement on Monday.

Ryan Gunsauls, 33, from Union Beach, pleaded guilty last week before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Christie Bevacqua. His charges included first-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Manufacturing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), second-degree Attempted Endangering by creating CSAM, and second- and third-degree Endangering through Sexual Conduct.

The investigation began earlier this year, led by MCPO Detective Joseph Mason, involving the MCPO Special Victims Bureau and Union Beach Police Department. A juvenile reported Gunsauls solicited and shared explicit materials via a social media app. Eight more victims, aged 11 to 17, were identified, resulting in Gunsauls’ arrest in May and subsequent detention as the case proceeds, as ordered by a Superior Court Judge.

Assistant Prosecutor Keri-Leigh Schaefer is handling the case. Gunsauls’ lawyer is Michael J. Pappa, Esq., based in Hazlet. His

Read more

Lacey Township Woman Admits to Drug Operation That Involving Minors

Lacey Township Woman Admits to Drug Charges Involving Minors

**Lacey Township, NJ** – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on November 18, Margaret Whalen, 60, of Lacey Township, pled guilty to several charges, including possession of psilocin mushrooms with intent to distribute, employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, and endangering the welfare of a child. Whalen entered her plea before the Honorable Dina M. Vicari, J.S.C. The state is seeking prison terms ranging from four to five years for each charge at Whalen’s sentencing on January 10, 2025, with all sentences to run concurrently.

In March, Lacey Township Police were informed by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency about Whalen’s alleged activities involving the manufacture and distribution of psilocin mushrooms from her residence on Elwood Street. Following a court-authorized search on March 13, law enforcement seized several jars containing the suspected substance. Laboratory tests conducted by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation lab confirmed the presence of psilocin mushrooms on May 23.

Further investigations by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Lacey Township

Read more