Posted on 03/17/2005 7:47:30 AM PST by 4everontheRight
breaking...caught in Savannah GA
Oh Lord, please protect this little girl wherever she is. I am so sad and upset about this story. How I have been praying they will find her.
Some items not mentioned here:
I heard someone say yesterday (perhaps it was the grandpa) that this sexual predator quite possibly attended a garage sale a few months ago at the Lunsford home.
A few weeks ago, it was mentioned that there was a spare key hidden somewhere outside the home. Mark stated that it was found where it was supposed to be.
My thoughts a few weeks ago about this key...even though it appeared to be untouched, was it dusted for fingerprints anyway?
My thoughts now have to do with this key, once again. If this sexual predator had stayed with his sister...within eyeshot of the Lunsford home, who's to say he didn't have some obsession with this little girl. Perhaps, he sat like a hunter in a tree, taking notice of all the patterns and behaviors regarding the Lunsfords? Perhaps, he knew there was a key hidden on the premises? Perhaps, he knew Mark would be out the night Jessie went missing?
I hope this man wasn't involved, because Jessie stands a better chance of being found alive that way.
Just my thoughts.
Skelly looking guy. I guess a person of interest is the new modern day term for a suspect.
I missed Furhman on tv last night, and you're right. He's always interesting, makes sense, and is worth listening to.
Lunsford left town alone, using that bus ticket, so if he did kidnap little Jessica, he didn't take her with him. Things don't look good, no matter who kidnapped her. Don't the cops say forty eight hours is the window of opportunity, usually?
Authorities in Georgia caught up with a man Thursday wanted for questioning in the disappearance of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.
John Couey, 46, has a long criminal history, including an arrest in Kissimmee in 1991 on charges of fondling a child, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.
About a week after Jessica was last seen, Couey asked a family member to buy him a bus ticket to Savannah, Ga., saying "the police are going to be looking for me." Although police talked to Couey in a homeless shelter Saturday, authorities said they had no legal reason to hold him.
Investigators found Couey Thursday and picked him up for violating probation. Couey's criminal record includes multiple arrests for burglary, carrying a concealed weapon, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and larceny.
Couey was picked up at a Salvation Army shelter at about 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Augusta.
He is being questioned by authorities and Citrus County detectives on the Lunsford case on their way to talk with him, too.
Authorities said there is no sign of Jessica at this time.
"I am very happy that we have him. If you look at the building blocks alone, it does elevate the concerns of this individual. But I don't want to become tunnel vision. One of the basic issues of losing a case is if you become too tunnel vision and do not look at every possible avenue ... We are still following leads. We are aggressively following about 40 quality leads. One of those leads may be the answer, and then Couey is not even in the game. Right now, Couey is one of the hottest leads, and we need to take him out of the mix," said Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy.
Pedophilia.....the crime that keeps on giving.
I thought I heard the house wasn't locked.
Very appropriate questions, BJC. Whatever happened to that "three strikes and you're out of circulation" law? If this creep isn't an habitual offender, I don't know who would qualify.
Criminal history:
Outstanding warrant for violation of probation charge stemming from a 2004 arrest for possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Arrested multiple times on various charges, including burglary, carrying a concealed weapon, disorderly intoxication, driving under the influence, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, fraud, insufficient funds and larceny.
Arrested in 1991 on charges of a sex offense, fondling a child under the age of 16.
Registered sexual offender in Citrus County.
Has absconded more than once.
Driver's license suspended for 99 years.
Source: Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Either way, he needs to be taken out of circulation for all time.
Yes and they even have a television show on it.
If this guy has no driver's license or no vehicle, he's either NOT involved with Jessica's disappearance or they will find her close to her home. imo.
Several of my employees do not have driver's licenses due to suspensions, revocations, whatever. They still drive.
"I missed Furhman on tv last night, and you're right. He's always interesting, makes sense, and is worth listening to."
He made a lot of sense during the trial of the Butcher of Brentwood and he makes a lot of sense now.
Regarding the picture--I have to say I fear for the worst and the thought that that sweet little girl may have spent her last moments with that ... person ... is absolutely nauseating.
"Things don't look good, no matter who kidnapped her."
True. Things don't look good. But one must never lose hope and expect a miracle. Remember Elizabeth Smart? She was thought she couldn't be found dead or alive. Even her parents had given up hope of ever finding her. But she was found alive.
Praying for the safe return of this little girl.
It's a crime to be driving w/o a suspended or revoked driver's license. It's also a duty of every citizen to report a crime, including illegal aliens.
What a nightmare for this family! The guy they are questioning has been cooperative. Perhaps he had nothing to do with it and left the neighborhood because he feared the neighbors would kill him. Maybe not. I pray this little girl is alive and unharmed. I just can't imagine why anyone would even consider harming a child. If she has been molested, I pray she is at least alive somewhere and comes home soon!
"Mark Fuhrman was on Fox saying he didn't think this guy is "the one". He thinks it will still be within the family circle."
He may very well be right. I hope the media doesn't bias the investigation.
"Couey pleaded guilty to 1991 felony charges of sex offense against a child, fondling a child under age 16 and lewd and lascivious conduct in Kissimmee; he was convicted of indecent exposure in 1987, according to records from the sheriff's office.
During a 1978 burglary for which he was convicted, Couey was accused of grabbing a girl in her bedroom, placing his hand over her mouth and kissing her, Dawsy said."
I'm glad he's not my "Uncle Couey." I wonder if the stats on child molestation are true. If 1 in 6 boys are molested by the time their reach 18, what percentage of Americans are child molesters? I'll tell you, most women I know either have been, or know someone who has been molested. It is common, unfortunately. When I was growing up, there were two child molesters within 1/4 mile of me, and both exposed themselves to me. Another exposed himself masturbating as I crossed the street to go to the store. All before puberty. There is always a "first offense" for molesters. It is very possible there are a couple of unknown molesters in Jessica's area.
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