Silverado Ranch in Panguitch, Utah is a troubled teen boarding school that incorporates the 12 step program for teens that come through their door. Eric Allen Glossen charged with sexually abusing at least kids at the ranch. This is an outrage that this was allowed to happen to these boys. It is down the road from Troubled Teen School Sorenson’s Ranch in Koosharem, Utah run by Mormons. It also has kids attending AA meetings.
Attorneys claim 10 sex abuse victims at school just ‘tip of the iceberg
Pat Reavy, Deseret News
Published: Thursday, June 23 2011 11:23 p.m. MD
Eric Allen Glosson,28 is charged with 8 counts of forcible sexual abuse with boys ages 14-18.
SALT LAKE CITY — Attorneys for students at a southern Utah boarding school say they’ve identified at least 10 boys who were sexually abused there and believe that’s “only the tip of the iceberg.”
Thursday, attorneys with the law firm Dewsnup, King and Olsen filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of three of the teens. Attorney Colin King said managers of the Silverado Academy, a 200-acre ranch in Panguitch that advertises itself as a clinical boarding school for teens between 13 and 18, were “woefully negligent in their oversight and supervision” of the students.
Eric Allen Glosson, 28, was charged in Garfield County’s 6th District Court with eight counts of forcible sexual abuse; and one count of custodial sexual relations with a youth receiving state services, second-degree felonies; and dealing in materials harmful to a minor, a third-degree felony.
Since either December or January, Glosson molested several boys at the school, all between the ages of 14 and 18, King said. The latest abuse allegedly occurred last week on June 17. Glosson, who had already been fired once from the academy in 2009 for having inappropriate relations with students, was recently rehired, the lawsuit claims, and had unsupervised access to the teens that he shouldn’t have.
“Due to the absence of appropriate oversight, supervision and security policies, procedures and practices, Mr. Glosson was allowed to have repeated access to and time with individual students privately, in multiple locations and settings, including students over whom he was not a coach and had no supervisory duties,” according to the lawsuit.
The alleged molestations occurred in places such as the school, in classrooms and in both Glosson’s and the students’ living quarters, King said. Investigators believe some of the incidents were videotaped, said attorney Dustin Lance, who also represents the plaintiffs.
Computers and video equipment have been seized by police detectives, he said.
Glosson kept students quiet by threatening to hold them back from advancing in the program, through “bribery, physical force, intimidation and deceit,” the lawsuit states.
In late May or early June, the lawsuit says a former student who had left the school and moved to Arizona contacted Glosson through Facebook and threatened to go public with the alleged abuse he inflicted on him. Supervisors at Silverado were notified but took no action, according to the suit.
It wasn’t until a student recently spoke up about his alleged abuse to another supervisor that Glosson was arrested, King said. “It was a horrible secret they’d been forced to keep.”
Once that student spoke up, others stepped forward. The supervisor went to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, which launched an investigation.
The student who initially spoke up was allegedly told by Silverado management not to mention the abuse to his parents when he was allowed to call home on Father’s Day, according to the lawsuit.
Although there are good staff members who were unaware of what was happening, attorneys for the plaintiffs say, overall the Silverado Academy “manifested a knowing and reckless indifference toward, and a disregard of the rights” of the children and their parents.
King said Silverado had a duty to care for the children who attended the school and look out for their welfare. Silverado suffered from a lack of leadership, management, practice and procedures, King said.
The co-founder and executive director of the academy is former U.S. Senate candidate Tim Bridgewater.
“If proven true, it’s very saddening for all of us,” Bridgewater said of the allegations Thursday. “We’re a licensed facility governed by the state. We’re in complete compliance. This person had a background check, which he passed.”
Bridgewater said the first he heard of the allegations was Sunday.
Silverado released a statement Wednesday, prior to the civil lawsuit being filed.
“Early Sunday morning, a student reported allegations of inappropriate conduct by one staff member,” that statement says. “The Garfield County sheriff was immediately called by our staff to report the allegations and to request an investigation.”
Investigators interviewed students and staff. “The staff member involved in the allegations was also interviewed and was taken into custody. The employee was immediately suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation,” the statement reads.
The Academy said it is “cooperating fully” in the investigation.
King calls Glosson a “sexual predator” and believes there are likely more victims who have already left the academy who are still “suffering in silent.” Many of the students who attend the school are from out of state. He called them “good kids” with some problems. Their parents spent between $4,000 and $7,000 per month to send their children to Silverado, he said.
After Glosson was fired from his first stint at Silverado, King said he worked for another undisclosed boarding school program in southern Utah.
King did not disclose Thursday how much in monetary damages the lawsuit would be seeking.
Glosson made an initial appearance in 6th District Court in Panguitch Thursday to hear the charges against him. Another court date was set for July 7. He was ordered to remain in jail on $130,000 cash only bond.
“We have reports of other victims out there and we’re in the process of following up on those other victims,” Garfield County Sheriff James Perkins said Thursday following Glosson’s appearance.
OMG!!! This is sick!
Jeff Murdock: Tuesday Night Group “Sex Therapist” at West Ridge Academy Deposition Transcript
October 26, 2012 by Eric Norwood
Jeff Murdock, a long time legacy staff member of the Utah Boys Ranch / West Ridge Academy has been in charge of the infamous Tuesday Night Group and E-Home boys — those with “sexual issues” ranging from masturbating to homosexuality to rape. Anything that has to do with the genitals or sex, Jeff Murdock is the Utah Boys Ranch / West Ridge Academy guy to go to. Read more about it and his incredibly bizarre sex podcast in this article: Strange Sex Talk with Jazzy Jeff Murdock – Examiner
A transcript from one of Jeff Murdock’s depositions given in Salt Lake City, pertaining to the sexual abuse, criminal negligence, and RICO act violations lawsuit that was settled out of court just hours before trial, has now been released and is available for the public to read — for free — here: JEFF MURDOCK WEST RIDGE ACADEMY GAY REPARATIVE THERAPIST
Ken Allen’s Testimony – Deposition Transcript Leaked to Public
October 3, 2012 by Eric Norwood
Ken Allen, executive director of West Ridge Academy, is deposed in recently settled out-of-court sexual abuse lawsuit number.
Full transcript available here:
Kenneth Allen, Sworn Testimony, Salt Lake City Utah, Executive Director of Proficio Management and West Ridge Academy
It’s quite an interesting read. In it, we find that Debbi Gilmore hand picked Allen (and likely headed the coup to get rid of Senator Buttars), Ken Allen has absolutely no educational or professional training in this field — he is/was a software engineer — and that Senator Chris Buttars is suing Ken Allen and the West Ridge Academy Board of Directors (which includes high ranking Mormon authorities).
West Ridge Academy’s non-profit money washing machine, Proficio Management, actually calls itself the “Investment Arm of West Ridge Academy”
There’s more, you can read the entire transcript for yourself at the link above or the brief article in the Examiner discussing Ken Allen, West Ridge Academy executive director, and the man that has managed to keep the Mormon Gulag’s doors open despite lawsuits from parents, victims, former employees, and possibly perjuring himself in this deposition.
Have a read and enjoy, and stay tuned for an exciting announcement any day now.
Work Crew Boys, Abused, Some in Dresses and Leashes, Being Led Into the Cafeteria Storage Closet for God Knows What
BYU Mormon Lawyer Defends Sex Abuse at LDS Boot Camp
September 13, 2012 by Eric Norwood
I met “Elder” Daniel Adlong in December of 2011.
I was thrown off a bit by the fact that he didn’t say a single word to me, just stared at me for hours like it was a staring contest with only one willing participant. If I hadn’t been thrown off by the unending glance, I would have definitely picked up on the Elder’s Quorum vibe. I can’t tell you how much I regret not knowing that during the 5 hours he and his associate Vince Verde questioned me, he had in his pocket a vial of olive oil believed to have magic powers (or “sacred”powers, to use their preferred terminology for the healing olive oil people like Elder Daniel Adlong carry with them at all times).
So I wasn’t that surprised when I find out that an attorney for the Mormon Church was hired to defend its own Gulag, where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially sponsors, oversees, finances, and promotes a re-education camp. It makes sense to hire one of your own.
Perhaps Mormon lawyers give their Church and its businesses a better pricing rate in exchange for future extra blessings… Who knows?
I also wasn’t particularly surprised to find out that it was a Mormon, BYU graduate lawyer defending a child sex abuse case. I know personally and have a long history with this Mormon lawyer (who has stalked me, libeled and harassed on the Internet) who has represented these kinds of cases for his church and other cults.
But I was shocked to find out that this particular BYU Alumni lawyer, and one of the Ogletree Deakins lawyers Daniel Adlong, was sent to the Utah Boys Ranch as a minor too!
That’s right: a lawyer defending West Ridge Academy/Mormon Gulag in just one (so far) of its sex abuse cases, was sent there himself decades ago for Mormon re-education, or any of the other disorders West Ridge claims to treat.
Read more about Dan Adlong, former Utah Boys Ranch resident and current legal representative in their latest child sex abuse case, here:
Maybe Daniel Adlong will explain why he was sent to the Utah Boys Ranch at some point during this child sex abuse at West Ridge Academy lawsuit. One can only hope, or perhaps I’m the only one that finds this this fascinating.
http://utahboysranchwra.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/the-mormon-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-provides-oversight-at-west-ridge-academy-4/
http://utahboysranchwra.wordpress.com/2012/05/29/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-directly-supports-west-ridge-academy/
http://utahboysranchwra.wordpress.com/2012/05/28/more-leaked-west-ridge-academy-documents-show-lds-involvement/
http://utahboysranchwra.wordpress.com/the-mormon-connection/
West Ridge Academy Files Gag Order on Abuse Trial Evidence
September 9, 2012 by Eric Norwood
West Ridge Academy Wants Sexual Abuse Case Details Under a “Protective Order”
Basically, they want to keep you in the dark about the merits of the latest sexual abuse court cases, but they also want to keep confidential all of the (disgusting) discoveries documenting serious crimes against children, criminal negligence, systematic abuse and torture, failure to prevent and report sexual and physical abuse, and much much more. Anything that has to do with the Utah Boys Ranch and its employees, including their backgrounds that have come to light in the process of these lawsuits, is the goal of this protective order. Not just until trials are over — but indefinitely. West Ridge Academy / Utah Boys Ranch, does not want you or the public to have any access to any information or evidence about them.
See the full court document protective order by clicking this link: West Ridge Academy Lawsuit Protective Order
West Ridge Academy, also known as the Utah Boys Ranch, dba Children and Youth Services, Sought a protective order with the court asking for basically all information related to all parties and third parties — to remain confidential even after there is a ruling in the trial.
Deposition transcripts where Senator Chris Buttars admits to suing the Utah Boys Ranch, or lies or contradicts Ken Allen’s testimony, whose deposition testimony (which there is a transcript of available online soon) that is so full of demonstrable of blatant dishonesty I’m surprised he hasn’t been charged with perjury yet.
West Ridge Academy not only seeks to issue a “Protective Order” (basically a gag order meaning I’ll go to jail for contempt of court if I publish “protected information”) on documents and records and deposition transcripts, but relevant issues of sexual abuse. Such as Mike Ruoho’s failure to report sexual abuse numerous time in numerous settings. They also tried to stipulate that the amount of money for any lawsuit settlement cannot be disclosed.
West Ridge Academy’s lawyer’s, Vince Verde and Daniel Adlong, are genuinely bad people and can be intimidating and manipulative. Don’t let them discourage you from fighting back.
West Ridge Academy’s Paid Witness Under More Investigation
September 4, 2012 by Eric Norwood
West Ridge Academy hired Dr. Gilbert Kliman, a particularly well-known paid hack, to defend their sex abuse lawsuits. This article is particularly shocking.
“There’s evidence that Kliman and the family’s attorney, Thomas Ho’okano, Sacramento, conspired together to sabotage the case. The theory is that Kliman wanted to work for Guide One Insurance company, while Ho’okano has a reputation for throwing cases, so he can make more profits from the appeals. Dr. Kliman demanded approximately $85,000 be paid before he would testify, then threatened that Preventative Psychiatry Associates would come after the family for much more money unless they pay him another $5000, which they did. Kliman has refused to refund any of the money.”
Kliman has also threatened the victims with a lawsuit for publishing his testimony online.
Read more about Gilbert Kliman on MormonGulag.com.
Official Utah Documents Show Illegal Operations, Egregious Violations, Sex Abuse and Crimes Against Children
August 28, 2012 by Eric Norwood
Official document leaked to Mormon Gulag.com, from the state of Utah’s Department of Human Services
Document shows appalling lack of compliance by West Ridge Academy and clearly outlines illegal acts and criminal child abuse, torture, sexual abuse on minors, and other severe crimes against children.
The full document, Utah’s Department of Human Services Policies & Procedures can be downloaded and read for free by clicking here: Utah DHS Policy & Procedure Manual Governing West Ridge Academy
West Ridge Academy (also known as Utah Boys Ranch, Girls Town, Proficio Management, Children and Youth Services, and Senator Buttars’ Ranch) is the Subject of Multiple Child Sex Abuse Lawsuits and Criminal Investigations for Child Abuse, Torture, Criminal Neglect, Falsifying Medical Records, and other crimes and illegal misconduct.
Some excerpts from the damning Utah Policies & Procedures Manual document intolerable, illegal, dangerous violations that need to be immediately reported. After reading this, children at West Ridge Academy are very clearly still at risk and in danger. Contact Us through this link and we will help you with your report.
Check out full story at this website-
http://mormongulag.com./
This 12 Step School For Boys In Utah shut after their employee was found to be raping students.
Former employee at Panguitch school for troubled teens sentenced to life in prison
By Pat Reavy, Deseret News
Published: Friday, Nov. 9 2012
PANGUITCH — A former staff member of a southern Utah boarding school Silverado Academy for troubled teens has been convicted of molesting some of the children housed there and sentenced to up to life in prison.
Eric Allen Glosson, 29, originally was charged in 6th District Court with four counts of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony; four counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; and two counts of dealing in materials harmful to a minor, a third-degree felony.
In a plea deal reached Thursday, Glosson pleaded guilty to two counts of sodomy in exchange for the remaining counts being dismissed. He previously was convicted in federal court and sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on a child porn charges for videotaping the abuse.
The federal and state sentences will run consecutively, meaning Glosson must first complete serving his federal sentence before he can start serving his time at the Utah State Prison.
“There were those that said I should have just gone with the federal charges only, but that would have meant Glosson would be out in 15 years, and I wanted to make certain that would never happen,” Garfield County Attorney Barry Huntington said in a prepared statement.
“Fifteen years isn’t enough time when you molest children like this. This guy needed to serve the 15 years for making the video, and he also needed to serve time for the actual act he was doing,” Huntington said.
In court documents, investigators identified at least seven victims between the ages of 13 and 17. The abuse happened between April and June 2011, court records state.
In 2011, attorneys for three of the victims filed a civil lawsuit, claiming managers of the 200-acre ranch in Panguitch were “woefully negligent in their oversight and supervision” of the students.
“Due to the absence of appropriate oversight, supervision and security policies, procedures and practices, Mr. Glosson was allowed to have repeated access to and time with individual students privately, in multiple locations and settings, including students over whom he was not a coach and had no supervisory duties,” according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit contended that Glosson already was fired once from the academy in 2009 for having inappropriate relations with students and later rehired. The suit was still being heard in federal court as of Friday.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865566415/Former-employee-at-Panguitch-school-for-trouble-teens-sentenced-to-life-in-prison.html?pg=all
Families sue Utah teen boarding school over alleged sex abuse by counselor
BY MELINDA ROGERS THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
PUBLISHED JUNE 23, 2011 7:22 PM
Three families have filed a federal lawsuit against a Panguitch-based boarding school for troubled teens, claiming the institution failed to supervise a counselor charged with sexually abusing several students.
Prosecutors on Wednesday charged Eric Allen Glosson, 28, in 6th District Court with eight counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse for allegedly having sexual relations with youth at Silverado Academy in Garfield County between April 20 and June 18.
He is also charged with one count of second-degree felony custodial sexual relations with a youth receiving state services and one count of third-degree felony dealing in materials harmful to a minor.
Now, families from Nevada, Georgia and Michigan say Silverado Academy should have done more to keep tabs on Glosson’s interactions with students. Their complaint alleges the school failed to protect their children from Glosson, who had been previously fired over concerns he was “too close to the teenagers in the program.”
In late 2010, Glosson was rehired as a coach and athletic coordinator and allowed to supervise 13- to 18-year-olds, according to the complaint. He then sexually abused numerous teens, the complaint alleges.
“Due to the absence of appropriate oversight, supervision and security policies, procedures and practices, Mr. Glosson was allowed to have repeated access to and time with individual students privately, in multiple locations and settings, including students over whom he was not a coach and had no supervisory duties,” the complaint states.
“On multiple occasions, Mr. Glosson sexually abused numerous teenagers at the academy, including the minor plaintiffs in Silverado’s classroom, Glosson’s living quarters and the students’ living quarters, among other places.”
The complaint alleges that Glosson discouraged students from reporting the abuse by threatening to not recommend the students for an advanced program. He used “bribery, physical force, intimidation and deceit,” to cover up his relationships with the students, the complaint states.
The plaintiffs, who are not being identified by The Salt Lake Tribuneto protect the identity of the alleged victims, are seeking at least $75,000 in damages for breach of fiduciary duty, negligent employment, and infliction of emotional distress.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon following Glosson’s arrest, Silverado Academy officials said one student reported the alleged conduct early Sunday morning during a Father’s Day call to his parents.
“We reported these events to the appropriate state authorities on the same day,” academy officials said in a statement. “We are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.”
Glosson had called authorities on his own in May, telling law enforcement that a youth in Arizona was contacting him over Facebook and “threatening to publicize alleged sexual abuse that Glosson had perpetrated,” according to the complaint. Law enforcement came to Silverado Academy to investigate but school allowed him to continue working with youth after no immediate arrest took place, the complaint states.
Silverado Academy was founded by former U.S. Senate candidate Tim Bridgewater. The program costs between $4,000 and $7,000 each month and families must agree to send their teenagers to the school for a minimum of six months, court documents state.
The length of a teenager’s stay depends on “progress.” Students live in a cabin and are assigned a set of “coaches” along with a therapist. When Silverado hired Glosson, he had no formal training and no post-high school education, the complaint states.
Glosson, who is being held in the Garfield County Jail, made his initial court appearance Thursday and a July 1 preliminary hearing has been set.
The school has offered to provide counseling services to teenagers affected by Glosson’s behavior, according to the complaint.
Teens do not need to be in 12 step programs! look at the people running these programs. They rehire sex offenders!
This makes me sick. Do not send your kid to a 12 step boarding school.