JSO failed to follow up on multiple complaints of child sex abuse against man years before he was charged
The News4JAX I-TEAM has obtained records showing for years, police didnโt thoroughly investigate allegations against a Jacksonville man now charged with operating a child sex trafficking ring. Records uncovered by the News4JAX I-TEAM show multiple people told police Duane Sikes was abusing boys starting in 2010โฆbut JSOโs own records show some allegations were never followed up on.
Trust, money and drugs: Accusations against bank embezzler illustrate textbook examples of child grooming, expert says
Psychologist Dr. Amy Hartley said the allegations against Duane Sikes, a former VyStar employee convicted of embezzling millions, contain the classic signs of grooming, like gaining a potential victimโs trust and giving them, money, gifts, alcohol and drugs.
VyStar embezzler accused of molesting boys was on JSO's radar for years
A day after a federal judge sentenced Duane Sikes to 10 years in prison for embezzling millions of dollars from Vystar Credit Union, a clear picture has emerged as to why the judge chose to upgrade... Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.
VyStar embezzler accused of molesting boys was on JSO's radar for years
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reports obtained by News4Jax reveal officers were called multiple times to investigate Sikes on child pornography complaints starting nearly 10 years ago. The reports also accused Sikes of intimidating the minors to keep them quiet. He has not been charged with crimes related to child pornography or child molestation. In 2013, an anonymous person called JSO's call center saying Sikes was offering beer to young boys, or giving them money or drugs in exchange for sexual acts. Records show that JSO was contacted about Sikes and the abuse of young boys at least six times.
Man receives 10 years for stealing millions from VyStar
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - When Duane Sikes first went before U.S. District Court Judge Brian Davis after pleading guilty to stealing millions from VyStar Credit Union, he faced a recommended sentence of up to 63 months in prison. I believe these boys, Davis said in the Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville on Monday afternoon. When the advances were rejected, Sikes would offer more money to get him to do what he wanted, the man testified. I want to move on.Sikes is also required to repay more than $5.2 million that he embezzled from VyStar Credit Union. After Davis handed down his judgment, Kent said the sentence was not reasonable and implied Sikes would file an appeal.
DoJ: Credit union employee who stole millions paid off teens for favors
Sikes, through his lawyer, denied the accusations and pointed out that Sikes previously had never been convicted of a crime. One of the men accusing Sikes took the stand to testify on Thursday. The now 25-year-old man, who News4Jax is not identifying, said eventually the relationship changed. Sikes worked at the corporate headquarters of VyStar in Jacksonville from 1994 to 2017. His IMDb.com page credits him with producing dozens of independent films, many shot in Jacksonville, though News4Jax was unable to verify those details.