HUDSON—Four people who were initially indicted in Columbia County Court last December on a litany of charges related to sexually molesting children, were back in court July 15 before Columbia County Judge Richard Koweek, this time facing a new combined indictment of 58 counts.
The charges are the result of a three-year investigation by State Police investigators from Livingston, the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office and Columbia County Child Protective Services which found evidence that numerous children suffered at the hands of the defendants, according to a December State Police press release.
District Attorney Paul Czajka said all the defendants entered not guilty pleas.
Following is a listing of the defendants and the charges contained in the July indictment. The descriptions contain graphic references that some readers may find disturbing.
Goliath Van Alphen, 45, of Claverack was indicted on charges of:
*Four counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A-II felony, between June 2009 and February 8, 2011, he allegedly committed the crime of first degree course of sexual conduct against a child less than 13 years old
*Four counts of first degree course of sexual conduct against a child, a class B felony, over not less than three months, he allegedly engaged in two acts of sexual conduct, including one act of oral sexual conduct with a child less than 11 years old.
*First degree aggravated sex abuse, a class B felony, on or between December 25, 2010 through February 8, 2011, he allegedly inserted a foreign object into the vagina of another person under the age of 11 causing her physical injury.
*Promoting a sexual performance by a child, a class D felony, on or between September 2010 through February 8, 2011, he allegedly produced a performance that included sexual conduct by a child less than 17 years of age.
*Two counts of first degree criminal sex act, a class B felony, on or between August 27, 2010 through February 8, 2011, he allegedly had oral and anal sexual conduct with another person who is less than 11 years old.
*Third degree solicitation, a class E felony, on or between May 2010 through December 31, 2010, being over 18 years of age, he allegedly intentionally commanded a person under 16 years of age to engage in conduct that would constitute a felony
*Four counts of third degree aggravated sexual abuse, a class D felony, on or between September 2010 through February 8, 2011, he allegedly inserted a foreign object into the vagina and anus of another person who is less than 11 years old.
Jeanine Van Alphen, 31, of Hillsdale, ex-wife of Goliath Alphen, was indicted on:
*Three counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A-II felony, between June 2009 and February 8, 2011, she allegedly committed the crime of first degree course of sexual conduct against a child less than 13 years old
*Three counts of first degree course of sexual conduct against a child, a class B felony, over not less than three months she allegedly engaged in two acts of sexual conduct, including one act of oral sexual conduct with a child less than 11 years old
*Three counts of third degree aggravated sexual abuse, a class D felony, between September 2010 through February 8, 2011, she allegedly inserted a foreign object in the anus of someone less than 11 years old
*Promoting a sexual performance by a child, a class D felony, on or between September 2010 through February 8, 2011, she allegedly produced a performance that included sexual conduct by a child less than 17 years of age.
*First degree sexual abuse, between September 2010 through February 8, 2011, she allegedly subjected another person less than 11 years old to sexual contact
*Two counts of first degree rape, a class B felony, she allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with someone less than 11 years old
*Two counts of third degree aggravated sexual abuse, a class D felony, she allegedly inserted a foreign object into the anus of another person who is less than 11 years old.
Eugene Shackelton, 58, of Copake was indicted on:
*Three counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A-II felony, between June 2009 and February 8, 2011, he allegedly committed the crime of first degree course of sexual conduct against a child less than 13 years old
*Three counts of first degree course of sexual conduct against a child, a class B felony, over not less than three months he allegedly engaged in two acts of sexual conduct, including one act of oral sexual conduct with a child less than 11 years old.
*Third degree solicitation, a class E felony, on or between May 2010 through December 31, 2010, being over 18 years of age, allegedly intentionally commanded a person under 16 years of age to engage in conduct that would constitute a felony
*Four counts of third degree aggravated sexual abuse, a class D felony, on or between August 3, 2010 through February 8, 2011, he allegedly inserted a foreign object into the anus of another person who is less than 11 years old.
*Two counts of first degree criminal sex act on or between September of 2010 through February 8, 2011, he allegedly had anal sexual conduct with another person who is less than eleven years old
*Two counts of first degree sexual abuse, a class D felony, on or between September 2010 through February 8, 2011, he allegedly subjected another person to sexual contact, who is less than 11 years old.
William Wendover, 28, of Cairo was indicted on:
*Four counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A-II felony, because between June 2009 and February 8, 2011, he allegedly committed the crime of first degree course of sexual conduct against a child less than 13 years old
*Four counts of first degree course of sexual conduct against a child, a class B felony, over not less than three months, he allegedly engaged in two acts of sexual conduct, including one act of oral sexual conduct with a child less than 11 years old.
*Promoting a sexual performance by a child, a class D felony, on or between September 2010 through February 8, 2011, he allegedly produced a performance that included sexual conduct by a child less than 17 years of age.
*Third degree solicitation, a class E felony, on or between May 2010 through December 31, 2010, being over 18 years of age, allegedly intentionally commanded a person under 16 years of age to engage in conduct that would constitute a felony.
*Two counts of third degree aggravated sexual abuse, a class D felony, on or between May 2010 through December 31, 2010, he allegedly inserted a foreign object into the anus of another person who is less than 11 years old.
*Three counts of first degree sexual abuse, a class D felony, on or between May of 2010 through December 31, 2010, he allegedly subjected another person to sexual contact, who is less than 11 years old.
*Three counts of first degree criminal sex act on or between May of 2010 through December 31, 2010, he allegedly had anal sexual conduct with another person who is less than 11 years old.
Mr. Van Alphen is represented by Steve Patterson; Ms. Van Alphen by Carmelo LaQuidera; Mr. Shackelton by John Leonardson and Mr. Wendover by Jay Hernandez, according to District Attorney Czajka.
The defendants were remanded to the County Jail; Mr. Van Alphen and Mr. Shackelton in lieu of $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond; Mr. Wendover in lieu of $125,000 cash bail or $250,000 bond; and Ms. Van Alphen in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.
Trial(s) are set to begin next February.
