How Could You? Hall of Shame-William John Easterling Jr

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Kalamazoo, Michigan, “a man who acted as a Big Brother and foster parent was sentenced in federal court Monday to 90 years in prison for convincing teenage boys to produce child pornography.

William John Easterling Jr., 53, was sentenced to three consecutive, 30-year prison terms by U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney Monday, Jan. 14, in Kalamazoo.

Easterling, who lived near Grand Haven, was previously convicted by a federal jury of three counts of sexual exploitation of a child or attempted sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography.

Federal prosecutors said at trial that Easterling mentored and befriended a boy and had him, at the age of 16, take a sexual explicit video of himself. Another teen, who was mentored by Easterling through Big Brothers, made a similar video, assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Sanford said in court documents.

Easterling, once a candidate for the state House of Representatives

and a former member of the Robinson Township Zoning Board of Appeals, has denied any inappropriate conduct with children, court records said.

Family members of Easterling’s victims read statements to the judge during Monday’s sentencing hearing. Those speaking identified themselves by initials to protect the identity of the victims.

The father of a victim said he saw a change in his son after the incident; that he was angry, embarrassed, confused and anxious.

“I know this will be something he will have to deal with for a very long long time,” the father said.

The mother of a victim said Easterling used weakness in his victims for his own gain.

Before ending her statement, she told Easterling to look at her.

“I have to forgive,” she said. “But I will never — look at me — I will never forget what you did to my children.”

Easterling gave a statement that went on for several minutes. He spoke about his experience as a foster parent, and said he thought some of the children were doing satanic rituals and using Ouija boards.

“They came to me and said, ‘Bill please save my boys,’” he said. “I had no frickin’ training.”

Dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, Easterling faced the judge while giving his statement. The family members of his victims looked on.

“I guess I am sorry, but you gave me no support,” Easterling said.

The judge said Easterling’s statement could only be described as “bizarre,” and said it was part of the reason he ordered mental health services for Easterling.

“It’s quite apparent by Easterling’s statement that he just doesn’t get it,” the judge said.”

Ex-foster parent, Big Brother gets 90 years for sexual exploitation of teens

[Mlive 1/14/19 by Brad Devereaux]

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