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Arraignment for Brit Accused Of Extreme Acts Of Pornographic Exploitation Of Boys
posted (December 20, 2012)
And you'll note in that story that we repeatedly referred to one of the murder victims as being 14 years old. That's what early police information said, but he is Reynaldo Garrido and he was actually 15. Monica Bodden spoke to his family this morning and we'll have that story shortly, along with the stories of last night's other murders.

But first…we take you to Dangriga. That's where 40 year old David Taylor appeared in court today for arraignment on charges of two counts of aggravated assault of an indecent nature and committing an unnatural crime for having sexual relations with a 13 year-old boy.

As we reported, police scanned Taylor's computer and found hard drives depicting four boys between the ages of 10 and 13 made to engage in revolting acts of pornographic exploitation with adult males.

It is one of the most sickening cases we've ever reported on - and this morning Daniel Ortiz made the trip to Dangriga to see who is this David Taylor:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
40 year old David Taylor, who's been working as a tutor, was arraigned today in connection with one of his alleged victims.

It's a serious allegation where hundreds of explicit photographs involving young boys made to engage in pornographic behavior were discovered when police confiscated his computer and hard drives.

And as such, police are treating the case with the seriousness it deserves:

Inspector Mark Flowers - OC, Placencia Police
"The charges were laid against David Taylor for two counts of aggravated assault of an indecent nature and he initially pleads guilty. I, like the magistrate agree that he might not understand the gravity of the offences and these charges carry stiff prison sentence. It is the privy of the magistrate that he is not fully understanding of the charges and therefore unequivocal plea of not guilty was entered. The other charge of the un-natural crime was adjourned because that is an indictable matter - so that is adjourned until February 12, 2013 at which time the magistrate will no doubt hear the evidence or hearing for aggravated assault."

Police say that there may be more victims, and they are hoping that they come forward:

Inspector Mark Flowers
"That is one complainant; we are still in the process of recording statement from other people. This is now Christmas break from school and some of the complainants are not readily available. As soon as we get through with other complainants we will be doing what we have to do. we are hoping that parents who have knowledge of their children might have been a victim would come forward and be assured that the police will do what we need to do in terms of getting justice for their children. Anybody who believes that their child was victimized or a victim of this person's evil then we will be ready and willing to assist in terms of investigating the claims and if we find that there is proof enough then of course we will lay charges on him."

The circumstances surrounding confiscated compromising material may suggest a level of organization, and that Taylor may be working with other accomplices. While they concede that it's a possibility, police are dismayed to think that there may be other perpetrators.

Inspector Mark Flowers
"I don't want to speculate and to make a mountain out of an ants nest. This is serious enough and it certainly goes beyond suggesting that we would now want to speculate other than what is concrete. What we do have we are working on. If there are other people involved certainly once we have the proof we will be digging them out."

And the man who's been accused, and who unexpectedly pleaded guilty to the charges in court, had no comment for us outside.

David Taylor
"I have no comment at this stage. Thank you."

Duane Moody - Channel 5 News
"Sir, they are saying that how you had several pictures on hard drive that you were in compromising position with these young boys, anything of that sort?"

David Taylor
"I have no comment at this stage."

Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, you plead guilty to these charges though."

As noted in the interview, when Taylor was arraigned before Magistrate Ed Usher this morning, he initially had no problem pleading guilty to the two counts of indecent assault. He was asked several times if he understood that he could spend as much as 3 years in prison for each count, and he said that he did.

Magistrate Usher questioned Taylor about the presence of his attorney to which he answered that he was informed that his attorney couldn't make it to court today.

Magistrate Usher, exercising discretion, decided that Taylor was not given any legal advice about his guilty pleas, and as a result he didn't understand fully what the implications meant. As a result, he entered Taylor into an equivocal plea of not guilty.

In relation to the unnatural crime, Magistrate Usher informed Taylor that it will be treated as indictable, so no plea will be taken. The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that Taylor's safety was at stake due to the severity of the allegations. He also objected on the ground that Taylor was a flight risk.

Magistrate Usher upheld the prosecutor's objections and remanded Taylor to prison until his next court date, which is scheduled for February 14.

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