Previously-convicted sex offender Jonathan A. Hayward faces new charges of sexually abusing a minor and producing and possessing child pornography in Southeast Alaska. The 43-year-old man was arrested at his Ketchikan home on Friday and later charged in Juneau.
According to court documents, the investigation was sparked April 2 after a young child accompanied a babysitter to her medical appointment and saw an anatomical model in the office, which led to a conversation about a man who had been touching the child's "private parts." The medical professional notified the Office of Children's Services, which in turn notified law enforcement.
When the child was interviewed the following day, the documents say, investigators were told that Hayward touched the minor "every day" and that the victim was getting tired of it, according to an affidavit filled in Juneau courts May 29. The child was able to recount several incidents of inappropriate contact. Court records state the first incident was in January of 2012, and according to a statement from the child, the man had recorded it.
The child also claimed that another adult -- a woman -- was informed of the abuse, according to the affidavit, but the woman said if she was told about the abuse "one more time" Hayward would go to jail, which the child didn't want. When questioned by investigators, the woman said she couldn't remember telling the child Hayward would go to jail and claimed she never spoke to Hayward about his previous conviction for attempted sexual abuse of a minor in 2000, the charges said.
Juneau assistant district attorney Angie Kemp declined to comment on whether the woman would face charges for failing to report the abuse.
The day the victim was interviewed, Ketchikan police obtained a warrant and searched Hayward's home. According to the affidavit, investigators confiscated several items including a laptop, camcorder, computer hard drive. The evidence was sent to the Anchorage Police Department for a forensic examination.
On the laptop alone, investigators reportedly found more than 1,000 images of child pornography. Forensic examinations of the other electronics confiscated from Hayward revealed thousands more images and hundreds of videos -- some of which included Hayward engaged in sexual acts with the child, the affidavit said.
Hayward faces 18 charges related to the recent investigation, including sexual abuse of a minor, possessing child pornography and exploiting a minor. He is expected back in court on June 9 for a preliminary hearing.