Teacher who put semen in flutes gets 18 years

Teacher who put semen in flutes gets 18 years

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norman lebrecht

July 13, 2020

The California flute instructor who personally inseminated flutes that were used by children has been sentenced to 18 years on six counts six counts of lewd acts against minors.

John Edward Zeretzke, 61, was founder of Flutes Across the World, which worked with children in many states.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has long been a champion for children and their safety,” said Patricia Armstrong, inspector-in-charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Los Angeles Division. “The sentencing brought today reflects the dedication of law enforcement to stop the exploitation of defenseless victims.”

More here.

 

Comments

  • Gustavo says:

    Off with his flute!

  • Armchair Bard says:

    Is that a flute in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?

    [Yes, I know…]

  • Jeremy Wardle says:

    18 years ! That’s an insane length of time.

    • Brettermeier says:

      “18 years ! That’s an insane length of time.”

      Yes, it’s too short for this disgusting excuse for a human being.

      • Xavier R says:

        You’re both overreacting and uneducated Brettermeier..

        This incident occurred in (D) California.

        Between years of prison overcrowding and early release not to mention COVID-19 sentence expeditions, the accused likely will be out in short order and teaching somewhere else soon.

      • Devon says:

        “Yes, it’s too short for this disgusting excuse for a human being.”

        Really? Sounds to me like this person is seriously mentally ill. How does going to prison help anyone in such a matter? He definitely needs institutional help.

        • Brettermeier says:

          “Really?”

          Yup.

          “Sounds to me like this person is seriously mentally ill.”

          Yup. Like mass murderers.

        • Jeffery says:

          I agree, throwing someone in jail for many years is more to do with revenge and emotional satisfaction of the offended than creating a real solution.

    • Gustavo says:

      At least another two year for risking droplet infection or accidental insemination!

    • David says:

      There is an extensive list of crimes in addition to the flutes. He should have received life with no parole.

    • Max Grimm says:

      According to the federal indictment he is charged with…
      – Depositing semen in flutes to watch children then play on those instruments
      – Coercing a girl (aged <14) to produce child pornography
      – Attempting to entice another victim aged <14 to send him sexually explicit images
      – Traveling to the Philippines to engage in sex with minors aged 12-16
      – Receiving child pornography over the internet

      Pray tell Mr. Wardle, if 18 years is too harsh a punishment, what sentence would you have given him?
      I think 18 years is a very light sentence given these utterly hideous crimes.

  • Karl says:

    I think he belongs in a loony bin.

  • Greg Bottini says:

    1) There are a number of joky comments about this. This is nothing to joke about.
    2) The article is behind a paywall.
    3) What does the U.S. Postal Inspection Service have to do with this? Please reprint the entire article.

    • Max Grimm says:

      1) Unequivocally agreed.
      2) I was able to access the full article by clicking on the link provided above without encountering a paywall.
      3) According to Google “The United States Postal Inspection Service […] is the law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service. [Its mission] is to support and protect the U.S. Postal Service, its employees, infrastructure, and customers by enforcing the laws that defend the nation’s mail system from illegal or dangerous use.”
      In the article the only reference to the postal service, apart from what Norman already posted in the thread’s introduction, is that “Zeretzke was indicted in March 2019 following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office.”

      • Greg Bottini says:

        1) Thank you.
        2) I was not able to do so. I don’t know why.
        3) I know what the United States Postal Inspection Service is and does. What I wanted to learn was how it became involved in this particular case. Thank you for supplying the information, though.

    • Armchair Bard says:

      Oh Greg. Let’s pass over the fact that you can’t count or spell (‘a number of [two] joky’). The subject isn’t funny; the joke is. Sorry if it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth…

      • Greg Bottini says:

        Oh Armchair. Let’s (not) pass over the fact that you don’t know what you’re talking about.
        This is the definition as given in the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 6th ed. Note the alternate correct spelling:
        “jokey /ˈdʒəʊki/ adjective. Also joky. E19.
        [ORIGIN from joke noun + -y¹.] Inclined to joke; having the quality of a joke; subject to jokes, ridiculous.”
        Ridiculous is the certainly the description I would apply to your lame attempt at humor. The subject isn’t funny. Neither are the jokes about it.
        And, for your information, I certainly CAN count. Two is a number.
        It’s apparently time for you to start working on getting your GED.

      • Tasty Ted says:

        So you swallow Armchair Bard???

    • Bruce says:

      2) Here is a short article without a paywall: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/ventura-music-teacher-accused-of-giving-semen-tainted-flutes-to-students-pleads-guilty-to-lewd-acts-sentenced-to-18-years-in-prison/

      And one from the California Dept. of Justice, longer but more of a press release: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-secures-guilty-plea-18-year-prison-sentence-against

      3) Since nothing seems to mention why or how the Postal Service was involved, I would guess that they have powers to investigate when someone uses their services to mail illegal materials. This guy’s “Flutes Across The World” program apparently mailed flutes to lots of places. Who knows how many of them were tainted.

      • Brettermeier says:

        I don’t see a paywall. Are you sure you guys don’t just need to pause your adblocker to access the site?

        From the linked article:

        “Zeretzke was indicted in March 2019 following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office.”

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