More proof of pedophiles being mandated to Alcoholics Anonymous. This sick man, who was the president of a bank, did a plea deal that included going to AA meetings. This way he would not be registered as a sex offender! I cannot believe these judges are mandating these men to AA meetings where children and minors are present! AA and NA are in on it too! Disgusting behavior on the part of the judges and AA World Services & Narcotics Anonymous World Services.
Ex-banker from Granger convicted of molestation violates plea agreement
By ERIN BLASKO South Bend Tribune2:39 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2012
William C. Peterson, 45, convicted of child molesting, a Class C felony, and sexual battery, a Class D felony, will be sentenced May 16.
The conviction requires that he now register as a sex offender.
“The victim in this case, and the community, have the right to have this resolved,” St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Jane Woodward Miller said during a hearing on the matter today.
Peterson, of Granger, reportedly tested positive for alcohol on April 12, in violation of the plea agreement.
He also refused urine drug screenings, did not report to probation, and did not attend alcohol and mental health counseling, deputy prosecutor Cara Brook said.
“If I tested you today — and be honest, because I will test you today — will you test positive for alcohol?” Miller asked Peterson during the hearing.
Peterson paused and then said, “I drank two days ago.”
In convicting Peterson, Miller called him a liar and an alcoholic, stating at one point, “I swear to God, Mr. Peterson, you have the florid face of an active alcoholic.”
According to court documents, Peterson, former president of St. Joseph, Mich.-based Edgewater Bank, fondled a sleeping 6-year-old girl at a home in Granger in May 2008.
The girl’s mother, a family friend, told police she found an intoxicated Peterson with his hand down the front of the girl’s pajama bottoms.
Edgewater fired Peterson in late 2008, shortly after prosecutors filed charges in the case.
In May 2011, Peterson pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery as part of plea agreement under which he did not have to register as a sex offender.
Among other things, the agreement required that Peterson have no contact with the victim, attend Alcoholics Anonymous, continue psychiatric counseling, abstain from alcohol and report to probation.
If Peterson abided by those terms, he would be sentenced in 2014 on one count of misdemeanor battery, the agreement stated.
If not, the judge could decide to call him to court and convict him of child molesting and sexual battery, as happened today.
Speaking after the hearing today, the victim’s father admitted to mixed emotions.
“I’m disheartened that he (Peterson) could not pull himself together and obey his probation,” he said, “but I’m resolved that this seems to have come to a conclusion and he’s convicted.”
Staff writer Erin Blasko:
eblasko@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6187
Any pre-med student can tell you that abrupt withdrawal of alcohol (or any benzodiazepineanxiolytic, sedative or hypnotic). Substance Abuse and Pedophilia are mutually exclusive psychiatric illnesses that do overlap in a few minor ways — but they are so different that so Board-certified psychiatrist would consider this decision a good one. AAs/NAs (with a few exceptions) are NOT mental health professionals and I’ve heard more than enough horror stories of new members’ being told by their seniors (only in sobriety) to stop taking antidepressants and anxiolytics. Most of the anxiolytics we prescribe are benzodiazepines and the once-called “major tranquilizers” are Antipsychotics. We don’t walk into AA/NA meetings and point out the illogical and factually incorrect drivel that goes on’ AA/NA and the judicial system have absolutely no business equating alcoholism with pedophilia. Most of the “medical advice” I’ve heard of about AA/NA meetings — even from physicians (though no psychiatrists have been brought to my attention; mostly, they’re docs who practiced loaded and, now sober, they consider themselves Board-certified in Addiction Medicine. THERE IS NO RECOGNIZED PSYCHIATRIC SUB-SPECIALTY known as Addiction Medicine.
Dr. Joseph Pizzo, thank you so much for your insight. AA and NA members and sponsors love to “play” doctor and tell people to get off of their meds, which has cost countless lives and tragic consequences. AA has actually admitted this common practice has been the cause of suicide by AA members.
Interesting comments about not equating pedophilia and alcoholism/drug addiction. The court certainly has no business sending pedophiles to AA or NA meetings, and I hear what you are saying that the problem does not seem to stem from addiction. I can see where it could exacerbate the lack of impulse control that is sick, but certainly not the main problem.
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