http://www.lacanadaonline.com/articles/2006/04/20/news/lnws-huber0420.txt
Former Water Polo Coach Sentenced to Four Years
By Mary O'Keefe
For more than 20 years Michael Huber had been an example of high
Christian morals and devotion to community and children. He was
sentenced last week in a Pasadena courtroom to four years and eight
months in prison for child pornography.
Before being arrested, the La Crescenta resident spoke to church
groups and PTA audiences, impressing them with his compassion and his
understanding of today's youth. He spoke and everyone listened. That
was not the case Monday, when he sat and listened to former friends
ask him why he had taken their trust and victimized their children.
Huber, 50, a former church youth leader and volunteer coach for the
water polo team at Crescenta Valley High School, was arrested late
last year and charged with six felony counts of using a minor under
the age of 14 for creating obscene material, two misdemeanor counts of
possession of child pornography, and two misdemeanor counts of
annoying or molesting a child under the age of 18. He was released
after posting 10 percent of his $140,000 bail and was being
electronically monitored at a Crescenta Valley house. On April 13,
Huber accepted a plea bargain agreement by pleading no contest to the
charges and surrenderingto authorities. It was also a time for victims
and their families to confront him.
Huber entered the courtroom and never looked at any of the victims or
their families.
"I trusted you," one of the victim's mother said during the victim
impact statement session. "You show no sign of repentance…. You used
us, used so many people all for self-serving gratification."
For many of the families Huber had offered hope for their sons. A
friend and business partner of Huber's, who asked to remain anonymous
for legal reasons, said Huber helped many of the boys plan for college
and the future. He said part of Huber's life was in the shadows.
"He liked the swimmer's body," said the friend, who added that Huber
hid this from him and from many who knew him.
"You and I go back a lot of years," the stepfather of one of the
victims said. "It was easy for you to look at me when I was buying you
lunch or giving you a check. You always looked me right in the eye …
You were part of our family but you really should have been a
professional actor ? you fooled the police department, the schools and
the church."
He then added that Huber was performing even in court. "Once you
entered the courthouse, you walked through the metal detectors, your
shoulders slumped and you became the victim," the man said.
Many victims commented on how Huber still blamed others for his
behavior, not admitting to his acts.
Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station Detective Richard Lutz said Huber
took photographs of his victims in very suggestive poses. "He
essentially paid some minors to take pictures," Lutz said. "Some of
them thought it was for a legitimate purpose."
Joanna Troy had made charges similar to the ones Huber pleaded no
contest to this week this against Huber almost 20 years ago as the
mother of a 7-year-old boy. Huber had been a Big Brother of Los
Angeles. Her son had mentioned inappropriate behavior, but Troy, like
many who knew Huber, could not believe Huber was capable of such
crimes. She soon believed her son and started a long and lonely
journey to convince others of his guilt.
"I went to the church, with a doctor and other friends and told them
of my suspicions," Troy said. "Mike told everyone that I was crazy and
just out to get him," Troy said.
The church, First Baptist Church of La Crescenta, reported the charges
to the Glendale Police Department. "We followed church policy," church
spokesman Ron Moen said.
The police took a report and conducted an investigation but did not
find enough evidence to warrant a charge, Moen said. The church was
satisfied with the investigation. Troy said she reported an incident
involving the discharge of a handgun in Huber's possession and her
son's presence The investigation was closed due to lack of evidence,
Troy said.
"What was he doing with a gun in his home? He was a youth leader," she
said.
Troy said she continued to call attention to Huber's case to no avail.
She contacted the Big Brothers of Los Angeles, who informed her that
the records were not kept past 1999.
"They told me they had no record of my son even being involved with
Big Brother," Troy said.
Big Brothers, who are now known as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Los
Angeles, researched the incident and said Huber was "in all
probability" a Big Brother and was assigned to Troy's son, Big Brother
President John Kobara said. Kobara was a Big Brother at the time. He
said he does not remember Troy's son but has talked to some who do.
The reports and the incident were forgotten by all but Troy. Huber was
made a youth leader at the First Baptist Church and assistant coach of
the CVHS water polo team. CVHS officials say they were unaware of any
prior incident or charges.
Troy said Huber's conviction brings her no peace. She said these
victims could have been saved had someone believed her and her son.
Her sister, Jeanne Neary, was allowed to confront Huber in court. She
told of her sister and nephew's years of pain as Troy wept in the
courtroom. She spoke of the victims who could have been saved.
"I am so sorry," Neary said to the victim's families.
Troy is trying to move past the pain and has started a non-profit
organization called, Restoring Youthful Hearts Inc. She wants it to be
a safe haven for children who have been abused and need help. Anyone
who is interested in contributing or anyone who needs help can call
951-5127.
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Yang
a.a. #28
AthD (h.c.) conferred by the regents of the LCL
a.a. pastor #-273.15, the most frigid church of Celcius nee Kelvin
EAC Econometric Forecast and Sorcery Division
The Bush 'balanced' budget: 2 trillion and worsening
The Bush 'economic' policy: 12.5 million FEWER jobs than Clinton and counting
The Bush Iraq lie: -2380 GIs, one friend's co-worker's son and mounting
Having Bush ***** up my country: Worthless
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"Ahhhhhh, yessssssss, ummmmmmm - Alito, Alito, Alito"
-duke (duckgumbo@cox.net), aka PedophilEarl J Weber, 59
year old mateless, heirless biological failure
of Afton Oaks Apartment, Baton Rouge,who pussied
out of the Vietnam draft, showing his gay side
despite his avowed anti-gay bigotry
Contact duke's priest and ask
him why duke is such a racist:
http://www.stpatrickbr.org/
Father Gerard "Jerry" Martin
stpatrickbr<AT>bellsouth<DOT>net
Saint Patrick Catholic Church
12424 Brogdon Lane
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
.
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