Miami criminal law expert David S. Weinstein said prosecutors are adept at bringing cases of sexual assault even when victims come forward years later, speaking on newly-filed charges against a Key Biscayne gymnastics coach.
“Children are very reluctant to come forward to begin with. There’s a whole grooming aspect that goes on,” said Weinstein, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney in Miami. “They become prey to these defendants as to what’s going on. And so unfortunately, it takes time.”
Weinstein spoke on the Anti-Social podcast after the arrest of gymnastics coach Oscar Olea on charges of sexual battery on a child 12 years or older. The charges stem from alleged conduct more than a decade ago after the victims came forward to Key Biscayne Police in January.
Key Biscayne is grappling with another devastating case of alleged sexual misconduct, as well
William McCaughan Jr, a former lawyer and Key Biscayne resident, faces charges of enticing minors to engage in sexual activity and possession of child pornography. He has pleaded not guilty to some charges and awaits arraignment on the more recent allegations, made last month.
In the gymnastics case, two women came forward against Olea in January with accusations that Olea manipulated them into having underage sex more than a decade ago. Olea has yet to enter a plea. He remains held without bond.
“There’s a whole grooming aspect that goes on,” Weinstein said. “The Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts, we unfortunately see this happen on a variety of different levels.”
On the McCaughan case, Weinstein said that it’s important for the public to know that often individual cases are just the spoke on a child pornography ring that law enforcement is trying to uncover and bring to justice.
Some residents continue to complain about not being told of the McCaughan Jr. arrest in July.
“The last thing that a federal agency wants is for local law enforcement to tip off somebody and something they’re potentially working on, valuable information gets quickly deleted, put away, there’s an obstruction in their investigation,” Weinstein said.
“While I sympathize, certainly, with parents and anybody else who lives on the Key who wants to know what’s going on, oftentimes we have to defer to law enforcement.”
When it comes to the Supreme Court taking up Trump’s claim he had immunity as president from criminal prosecution for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection, Weinstein said it is important to note that the high court is looking at “conduct alleged to involved official acts.”
Special Prosecutor Jack Smith has said Trump’s role in election interference in the certification of 2020 election was outside his official duties.
“It is a very narrow issue that they’re addressing,” Weinstein said.
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