Thursday, June 18, 2009

Jason Newsom - MySpace Predator - From behind Prison Walls


A convicted child molester is reaching out to his victims from behind prison bars.

Jason Newsom, 38, was convicted of sexually abusing four boys at his New Caney wildlife farm several years ago. He was sentenced to twenty years in prison.
Kim's son was just 15 when he was molested by Newsom. She wants her name kept private to protect her now 20-year-old son.

"I'm not an angry person, but for the first time in my life I wanted someone dead," she said. "My son went from being a very happy child to having anger issues."

Newsom isn't allowed to contact any of his victims, but he has.

But earlier this year, Kim's family received a letter of apology from Newsom despite signing up for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's non-correspondence list. That means she should not be contacted by her son's attacker ever.

"That's violating us all over again," she said. A loophole in the rule allowed Newsom to pull it off by sending the letter to the child's attorney who forwarded it to the four victims.
As if that weren't shocking enough, months later Kim discovered Newsom had a profile on www.myspace.com operated by a third party.

"This is a fascinating issue and could be a catalyst for change," said crime victims' advocate Andy Kahan. "MySpace security can only look through filtration of sex offenders who are registered. Because Newsom is serving time, he doesn't have to register."

It's another loophole, perhaps, one mother hopes will bring change.
"If I can just help one child, that would do a lot of healing for me too," said Newsom.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is investigating the matter. Inmates mail can be opened by prison officials, unless it's sent to a law enforcement officer, judge, or in this case, an attorney.
MySpace has since removed Newsom's profile.


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