Police Predators

February 2025

Welcome to Police Predators, a side project that documents child sexual abuse by law enforcement officers. Every month, I’ll be doing a roundup of all the stories I could find about cops that were charged with, convicted of, and/or sentenced for their crimes against minors.

Daryn Edwards, the former police captain of the Houston, Texas, police department, was arrested and charged with 1 count of possession of child sexual abuse materials with greater than 10 depictions/videos but less than 50, 1 count of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of possession of child sexual abuse materials, and 1 count of sexual performance of a child. His alleged victim was abused multiple times over the course of a year and a half, when she was in 6th grade. Edwards also allegedly placed hidden cameras in the victim's bedroom. Original story here.

Christopher Chad Butler, a former police officer and school resource officer in Princeton, West Virginia, was indicted on charges related to child sexual abuse of a student. The alleged abuse took place over the course of 6 months. Original story here.

Brennon Wilkinson, a former Dallas, Texas, police officer, was arrested and charged with 1 count of aggravated assault of a child and 2 counts of indecency with a child. Wilkinson was fired following his arrest. Original story here.

John Burgos, a former Jacksonville, Florida, sheriff's deputy, was arrested and charged for crimes related to the attempted production of child sexual abuse materials. Burgos was previously arrested for alleged abuse of his badge for coming onto a victim of domestic violence. It was during the course of this investigation that authorities reportedly found evidence that Burgos had enticed a minor to create sexually explicit content. Original story here.

Logan Michael Spencer, a former emergency dispatcher in Roanoke, Virginia, was arrested and charged with possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child sexual abuse materials. He was also an employee of the local YMCA. Original story here.

Drennan Christopher Rogers, a former Hutchinson County, Texas, corrections officer and police officer, was arrested and charged with possession of child sexual abuse materials. Original story here.

Michael Vermeylen, a sheriff's detective in Bergen County, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and obscenity towards a minor. Vermeylen allegedly texted a minor sexually explicit messages, after which a detective in Monmouth County took over the chat. He claims this only happened because he drank more than he should. Original story here.

Updates

Brian and Elizabeth DiBiasi were released from jail pending their trials, and they are not allowed to see their children without permission from Child Protective Services.

Nicholas Martell pleaded guilty to sending a minor sexually explicit photos.

James Matthew Waltman was additionally charged with forcible sodomy, indecent exposure and giving alcohol to a minor.

John Kisch was sentenced to 9 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials.

Kyle LaLonde was sentenced to 11 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release and registration as a sex offender. LaLonde was facing 60 years in prison for crimes including possession of child sexual abuse materials and bestiality, but 49 years were suspended.

Ryan Dornbos took a plea deal that saw 3 charges dropped, and he now faces 1 charge of criminal sexual conduct. Dornbos could be sentenced to life in prison.

August Price Gildehaus pleaded guilty to enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and producing child sexual abuse materials. Gildehaus faces 25 years to life in prison.

Matthew B. Marshall received an 18-month suspended sentence and probation after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials. The prosecution requested an 18-month sentence and 3 years of probation.

Austin Sabo was hit with additional charges of 2 counts of rape, 2 counts of sexual battery, 3 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, 4 counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, 2 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, 1 count of unlawful sexual contact with a minor, and 1 count of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance.

Shawn Souza was released from prison after a judge overturned his conviction for 2 counts of aggravated rape of a child, 1 count of rape of a child by force, and 1 count of indecent assault and battery of a person 14 or older. Despite the fact that the jury unanimously found Souza guilty and that he was sentenced to 10-15 years in prison, Judge Susan Sullivan decided to nullify the judgment. Prosecutors are appealing the case. Because of the outcome of this case, I will be removing Souza from the Police Predators spreadsheet.

You can find all my previous roundups below.