Some Thoughts On Daniel Acker

By now, most people have heard of the alleged child molester Daniel Acker, who is suspected of molesting dozens of boys over four decades. He is facing more charges now, and there are many more that he would have faced if not for the statute of limitations making them too old to prosecute.

I won't go into how disgusting and vile his alleged crimes (he hasn't been convicted yet, and everyone is innocent until convicted), since that should be self-evident to everyone.

But my first thought outside of that is, "There but for the grace of God, go I."

I grew up just over a mile from where Acker lived for 15 years in West Allis. Even more so, my friends and I, when we were preteens and young teenagers, would often go to Garman's Hobby (now called Happy Hobby) which was only a few blocks from where he lived.

I don't recall ever seeing him, or any of my friends having any contact with him, but then again, that is one of the evils imposed by sexual predators - making their victims feel too ashamed and/or too scared to tell anyone.

It also puts to the test the bogus theory that many communities have about sexual predator limitation laws, in which they try to prevent sexual predators from living in their communities. Acker was grooming the kids during swimming sessions miles from his home. Furthermore, he was even given a foster home license in the late '90s (another moment of greatness from the BMCW). A community would be safer knowing where a sexual predator was so that they could continue to monitor their whereabouts than they would be not knowing where the predator was or where they were going.

It also shows that children are more likely to be sexually abused by someone they know than a complete stranger.

I have a friend that shared with me that he was sexually molested when a boy. I am still honored that he trusted me with this information, and am proud of him in that he is strong enough to be able to deal with it. But it makes me sad that there are many, many other people, more than we will probably ever know of, that are struggling with those same issues in silence and solitude.

As easy as it is to be angry at Acker, we also need to be understanding and supportive of his victims.

And unfortunately, Acker isn't even the worst of them. From the Door County Daily News, we learn of one that is even more vile and disgusting (emphasis mine):

Last week Tuesday, the Door County District Attorney filed 40 felony charges against 37-year-old Theodore A. Mullis of Sturgeon Bay for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. These charges include child enticement, sexual assault of unconscious victims, causing a child to view sexual activity, and numerous counts of possession of child pornography.

Mullis would ply unsuspecting victims with drugs and alcohol. With the victim nearly unconscious, Mullis would sexually assault them and photograph the attack.

Mullis was taken into custody in October 2008 for a probation violation as a result of this investigation. He has remained incarcerated since that time. He has an initial appearance for the current charges in Branch II of Door County Circuit Court on March 30, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.