Posted 7:27 pm Thursday, March 27, 2008
'Swingers Club' Defendant Sentenced to Life
EDITOR’S NOTE: It is the policy of the Tyler Morning Telegraph not to identify the victims of sexual assault to protect their identities and encourage the reporting of such crimes.
By CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writer
It took the jury just 4 minutes to find guilt and 2 minutes to sentence Jamie Pittman to life in prison charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Pittman was accused of forcing young children to dance and perform sexual skits at a “Mineola Swinger’s Club” for food.
By CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writer
It took the jury just 4 minutes to find guilt and 2 minutes to sentence Jamie Pittman to life in prison charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Pittman was accused of forcing young children to dance and perform sexual skits at a “Mineola Swinger’s Club” for food.
A jury this afternoon began considering his punishment.
Pittman was accused of forcing young children to dance and perform sexual skits at a “Mineola Swinger’s Club” for food.
Prosecutors said people were charged money to watch children engage in sexual acts.
The 36-year-old Tyler man faces up to life in prison if convicted in 241st District Judge Jack Skeen Jr.’s court.
In March 2005, Child Protective Services began investigating allegations of neglect and drug abuse. What they would find were children suffering ongoing sexual abuse and exploitation.
A two-year investigation resulted in Pittman being charged with seven felonies, along with Shauntel Loraine Mayo, 29, Patrick Stephen Kelly, 41, and Dennis Boyd Pittman, 45, all of Tyler; Shelia Darlene Sones, 48, Mineola; and Jimmy Dale Sones, 33, Brownsboro.
The alleged victims in the case include three siblings — who at the time of the outcries in 2005 were a 7-year-old girl, a 6-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. The sibling’s aunt, who was 6, was also allegedly forced to dance and have sex with the other children.
Jamie Pittman is the first defendant to go to trial.
