Former Miss Hoopa arraigned for four counts of alleged abuse including abnormal sexual interest in children

21 year old Kayla Brown, former Miss Hoopa, charged with four counts of alleged sexual abuse against a minor victim under the age of 16 years was arraigned this afternoon. Deputy District Attorney Brie Bennett is prosecuting the case. Mr. Ben McLaughlin is representing Brown. Today, Rebecca Linkous appeared on behalf of Mr. McLaughlin in court.

DDA Roger Rees appeared for his colleague, Ms. Bennett. Ms. Linkous said that the defense is "in active negotiations" with Ms. Bennett, case may resolve. Next court date is November 18 for setting.

Brown was arraigned on  with four counts. Count 1 Abnormal Sexual Interest in Children and arranging a meeting for that purpose PC 288.4 (b); Meeting a Minor for lewd purposes.

The complaint alleges that, "a felony was committed by Kayla Muriel Brown, who did unlawfully and motivated by an unnatural and abnormal sexual interest in children, arrange a meeting with Jane Doe, a minor and a person defendant believed to be a minor, for the purpose of exposing the genitals and public and rectal area of Jane Doe and defendant and to engage in lewd and lascivious behavior and did go to the arranged meeting place at and about the arranged time."

Count 2 Sexual penetration with a foreign object; [289.(i)  any person over the age of 21 years who participates in an act of sexual penetration with another person who is under 16 years of age shall be guilty of a felony]

Count 3 288.3 (a) [288.3.  (a) Every person who contacts or communicates with a minor, or attempts to contact or communicate with a minor, who knows or reasonably should know that the person is a minor, with intent to commit an offense specified in Section 207, 209, 261, 264.1, 273a, 286, 288, 288a, 288.2, 289, 311.1, 311.2, 311.4 or 311.11 involving the minor shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for the term prescribed for an attempt to commit the intended offense]

Count 4 PC 647.6 (a) which is child molestation/annoying a child.

Sep 22, 2015

Former Miss Hoopa charged with alleged abuse of female minor waives preliminary hearing

Today, a  preliminary hearing was scheduled for Kayla Brown, the former Miss Hoopa charged with alleged abuse of a minor female victim.

Brown was in court with her attorney, Mr. Ben McLaughlin and members of her family.

The victim and her family were not in court but present in the building.

Visiting Judge Thomas Breen was calling the calendar today in Courtroom 8.

DDA Brie Bennett is prosecuting the case.

Brown waived her right to a preliminary hearing today. She also waived time for arraignment.

Discussions about a possible resolution are occurring and the case may resolve before arraignment.

Arraignment on information is scheduled for October 28 at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 1.

No other media was in court this morning.

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Aug 17, 2015

Preliminary hearing for Miss Hoopa charged with 4 counts of alleged abuse of a minor victim including abnormal Sexual Interest in Children delayed again

Today, there was an intervention scheduled for  Miss Hoopa Kayla Brown. Brown is Humboldt's first alleged female abuser with first female underage victim. Charges include abnormal sexual interest in children.

Kayla Brown is charged with four counts. Count 1 Abnormal Sexual Interest in Children and arranging a meeting for that purpose PC 288.4 (b); Count 2 Sexual penetration with a foreign object; [289.(i)  any person over the age of 21 years who participates in an act of sexual penetration with another person who is under 16 years of age shall be guilty of a felony]; Count 3 288.3 (a) [288.3.  (a) Every person who contacts or communicates with a minor, or attempts to contact or communicate with a minor, who knows or reasonably should know that the person is a minor, with intent to commit an offense specified in Section 207, 209, 261, 264.1, 273a, 286, 288, 288a, 288.2, 289, 311.1, 311.2, 311.4 or 311.11 involving the minor shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for the term prescribed for an attempt to commit the intended offense] and Count 4 PC 647.6 (a) which is child molestation/annoying a child.

The alleged victim is under 16 years of age. 

Intervention hearings take place in a closed courtroom. This case ended up being called before 3 p.m. but I was outside waiting to get dates and so was the victim's family. DDA Brie Bennett who is prosecuting the case spoke privately with the victim's family. Ben McLaughlin is representing Brown  along with Rebecca Linkous but Mr. David Celli appeared on behalf of Mr. McLaughlin today.

Preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 26 but it has been delayed yet again. The new intervention date is September 14 and the new preliminary hearing is September 22.

Previous post:

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2015/07/i-do-not-want-to-speak-to-whether.html?m=1

Jun 12, 2015

Former Miss Hoopa charged with alleged sexual abuse of female minor, family still unable to retain a lawyer

The preliminary hearing for Kayla Brown has still not occurred. First, her private attorney Jeffrey Schwartz declared a conflict. Then, another private attorney, Mr. Ben McLaughlin made a special appearance twice but still has to be retained and paid by Brown's family. Today, a 2 p.m. hearing was scheduled for Confirmation of Counsel in Courtroom 1. Mr. David Celli appeared for Mr. Ben McLaughlin and asked Judge John Feeney to continue the matter for another week. This is the third continuance and I did not see Brown's family in the courtroom.

June 24 at 2 p.m. is set for Confirmation of Counsel in Courtroom 1.

DDA Brie Bennett is prosecuting the case. DDA Zach Curtis who is the other prosecutor handling all CAST cases appeared for the People and did not object to the continuance. The victim's family and supporters were present and they talked with Mr. Curtis outside court.

Last post with other links/background on case:

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2015/05/still-no-preliminary-hearing-for-former.html