Midd'l?to?n Police?Department Page: Incident Report 05/24/2016 Incident Call 03-8094 jDate/Time Reported: 07/25/2003 1725 Report Date/Time: 07/25/2003 1907 i Status: Incident Closed By Arrest i Involves: Sex Crimes, Juveniles Reporting Officer: Detective A Swierk Detective: Detective A Swierk Approving Officer: Captain (Detective) Edward Tracy Signature: Additional Cases: Signature: SEX RACE AGE SSN I '1 BELL, JAMES 49 487 THAMES ST NEWPORT RI 02840 HEIGHT: 507 WEIGHT: 160 HAIR: BROWN EYES: BLUE BODY: NOT AVAIL. COMPLEXION: NOT AVAIL. DOB: PLACE OF BIRTH: NOT AVAIL. STATE ID: FBI ID: 521982NA9 LICENSE NUMBER: ETHNICITY: NOT HISPANIC GLASSES WORN: NO ATTEMPTED TYPE LOCATION TYPE: Other/Unknown Zone: Post 4 NEWPORT COUNTY YMCA 792 VALLEY RD MIDDLETOWN RI 02842 1 SECOND DEGREE CHILD MOLESTATION Felony 11?37?8.3 11?37 8.3 OCCURRED: 07/25/2003 1725 USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc) E2 SECOND DEGREE CHILD MDLESTATION Felony 11?37?8.3 11?37 8.3 OCCURRED: 07/25/2003 1725 1 USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc) 3 SECOND DEGREE CHILD MDLESTATION Felony 11-37-8.3 11?37 8.3 OCCURRED: 07/25/2003 1725 USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc) i4 SECOND DEGREE CHILD MDLESTATION Felony 11-37-8.3 11-37 8.3 OCCURRED: 07/25/2003 1725 USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc} Middletown Police Department- - Page: 2 Incident Report 05/24/2016 Incident 03-1577-OF Call 03-8094 AETEMPTED TYPE I 5 SECOND DEGREE CHILD MOLESTATION Felony 11?37?8.3 11?37 8.3 OCCURRED: 07/25/2003 1725 USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc) ;6 SECOND DEGREE CHILD MDLESTATION Felony 11-37-8.3 11?37 8.3 OCCURRED: 07/25/2003 1725 USED: Personal Weapons {Hands/Feet/Etc} :7 SECOND DEGREE CHILD MDLESTATION Felony 11-37-8.3 11-37 8.3 OCCURRED: 07/25/2003 1725 USED: Personal Weapons (Hands/Feet/Etc) PERSON TYPE SEX RACE AGE SSN PHONE Q1. PETER REPORTING PARTY II 792 VALLEY RD Middletown RI 02842 DOBCONFIDENTIAL !7 CONFIDENTIAL I ?iddl?to?n Police Department I Page: 3 Incident Report 05/24/2016 . Incident Call 03-8094 PERSON TYPE SEX RACE AGE SSN PHONE 8 OTHER PROPERTIES PROPERTY STATUS 31 COMPUTER HARD DRIVE Evidence (Not Nibrs Reportable) QUANTITY: 1 VALUE: SERIAL FNA9VBQ i DATE: 07/30/2003 32 DISKETTE PHOTOS OF CHANGING ROOM Evidence (Not Nibrs Reportable) QUANTITY: 1 VALUE: I SERIAL NOT AVAIL DATE: 07/30/2003 3 COMPUTER TOWER 03-809-PR Evidence (Not Nibrs Reportable) QUANTITY: 1 VALUE: SERIAL NOT AVAIL DATE: 0?/30/2003 #6 TWO MICRO CASSETTES OF BELL INTERVIEW 03-935-PR Evidence {Not Nibrs Reportable) QUANTITY: 2 VALUE: I SERIAL NOT AVAIL 1 DATE: 08/22/2003 OWNER: BELL, JAMES Middletown Police Depart?enE? Page: 4 Incident Report 05/24/2016 Incident 03-1577-OF Call 03-8094 CONFI DENT IAL PERSON REPORT SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Modified: 07/05/2006 0 1057 Approved: 07/28/2003 0 1100 Entry ID: BOWS Modified ID: 23KM Approval ID: 4ET On Friday July 25, 2003 at approximately 1645 hours I received a phone call from Peter Milinazzo, director of the YMCA. He stated that he received information this afternoon at approximately 1400 hours that several girls, ages ll to 14, on the gymnastics team made statements to their coach that a former coach, James Bell, inappropriately touched them approximately one year ago. Bell was employed by the YMCA as a competitive gymnastics coach until his employment was terminated on July 14, 2003 for violating a YMCA policy. Mr. Milinazzo stated that on July 10, 2003 Bell stated to a girl on the gymnastics team not to tell her parents what happens at the and that she should come to him with any problems. The parent of the girl called Mr. Milinazzo regarding this statement. Mr. Milinazzo informed me that the YMCA has a strict policy barring any employees from making such statements to children. As a result of this Bell was terminated from his position at the YMCA. Bell was hired by the YMCA in January of 2001. Bell came from the Seattle, WA area. He applied for the job at the YMCA in Middletown through a national posting on the United States Gymnastics Association USGA wed site. According to Mr. Milinazzo Bell was single and lived alone. He rented the apartment from whose daughter is on the gymnastic team. . Mr. Milinazzo stated that Bell played in the YMCA volleyball league and spent a lot of time on the computer. Bell set up a web page and was selling small gift items; candles and nick nacks. As the competitive coach Bell oversaw approximately 14 girls on the current team. Over the last two and a half years there may have been an additional ten or more girls he oversaw before they moved onto other teams. Bell has moved out of his apartment in Newport and gone to Allen, Washington to live with his brother. Mr. Milinazzo stated that he oke with the arents of the iris rior to comin to the olice station. He ave me the names of three girls; . According to the accounts given by the girls to their coach approximately one year ago the girls go into a changing room located off of the gymnastics center. Bell is in the room adjusting a mirror. He then asks the girls to remove their leotard tops down to their waist so he can check their muscular development. All the girls complied and according to the account at least one of them, was touched in the chest area and back. Mr. Milinazzo stated that sister, was a reached in the same manner by Bell and she did not comply. Another girl, was also approached in the same manner by Bell and did not comply. Again Mr. Milinazzo stated these accounts were relayed to him from the girls coach. Mr. Milinazzo added that on Jul 4, 2003 the nastics team was in Savanna, Georgia for the National Gymnastics Championships. is a coach on the team. She was approached by another coach from the Tacoma or Lakewood area of Washington State. He was asking her if they knew about Bell and had done a background on him. This coach stated that Bell had to give up his USGA membership in Washington State. According to Milinazzo it appeared that no criminal charges were ever ?led against Bell. Mr. Milinazzo stated that when Bell was hired a check was done through CANTS (DCYF) and there was no record for Bell. Mr. Milinazzo left at approximately 1830 hours. He stated that he was going to call the parents of the girls and inform them of the complaint ?led. I told him to have them call me so I could schedule interviews with the girls. . . NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A. SWIERK Ref: Entered: 07/25/2003 1927 Entry ID: 30WS Modified: 07/05/2006 1055 Modified ID: 23KM Approved: 07/28/2003 0 1100 Approval ID: 4am On Friday July 25, 2003 Peter Milinazzo, director of the YMCA, came to the police station to ?le a report of child molestation. This afternoon several girls, between the ages of 11 to 14, approached their gymnastics coach and stated they were inappropriately touched by a former gymnastics coach. The alleged inappropriate touching took place approximately one year ago. The former gymnastics coach was terminated by the YMCA at the beginning of the month for violating YMCA policy. The termination was unrelated to the allegations revealed today. The matter is under investigation by the detective division. SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Ref: Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Entry ID: BOWS Modified: 07/05/2006 1057 Modified ID: 23KM Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Approval ID: 4ET At approximately 2000 hours mother 0 called me. She stated that she spoke with this afternoon. She stated that told her that during the last year Bell took a picture of her naked. it was only 0 body and did not include her face. Bell did this when the two of them were alone. stated that Bell would tell to bring in a big t?shirt to wear. She stated that i did not question Bell's actions because he told her he was checking her muscular development. told me that was sleeping over a friend's house tonight and would be home tomorrow afternoon. She will call to make an appointment. At approximately 2100 hours i received a call from?, mother 0 . Her daughter is on the gymnastics team and she received a call from Mr. Milinazzo this evening. She wanted to pass on some information she received from her daughter tonight. told her that sometime within the last year Bell told- her bra strap was showing and tucked it back into her leotard for her.- wanted this incident to be noted and we agreed to do so at this time. She will contact me if- makes any other statements. On Saturday July 26, 2003 at 1330 hours I took a statement from?, age.. - told me that aiiroximately one month ago her friend,-, told her that their coach, Jim Bell, inappro riately touched her. told her not to say anything because Bell told her not to say anything. At the time she told she said it onli hap ened once, but yesterday, Friday,- said he did it three times. Regarding the incident that told a month ago took place in the changing room off the gymnastics gym. said that. told her that Bell had her remove her leotard top down to her waist so he could check her muscular development and that he touched her on the chest. told- that she just froze when he did this and that she couldn't move. 3 stated that Bell never touched her on her body where she did not want to he touched. She stated there two times when he tried to get her to go into the chan in room, alone. She said she never did because he would wait for everyone to leave the for lunch and? and. would always wait for her. Bell told that he wanted to check her muscular development and that she would probably have to remove her leotard top do this. said she didn't respond and would change the suspect. The first time he tried this was last summer and again this past September. -, who has been taking gymnastics for six years, stated no other coach has ever checked or asked to check her in this way. stated that she has never seen Jim alone with any other girl in the changing room. She also stated that Bell never took any photos of her that made her feel uncomfortable.- added that there was a lot of talk about a hidden video camera in the changing room because Jim was always encouraging the girls to change in this room. At 1455 hours I took a statement from agel. I spoke with- in the presence of her mother, . I asked if she would talk to me about what happened between she and Jim Bell and she said she would. told me that esterdai, Friday, there was meeting at the YMCA and the older girls were involved. She said she went to and to ask them what was going on and they asked her if Jim had ever done anything to her and she told them yes. SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Entry ID: BOWS Modified: 07/05/2006 1057 Modified ID: 23KM Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Approval ID: GET I asked- where Jim touched her on her body where she did not want to be touched and she told me that he touched her on her chest with his hand. She said last summer she got there early in the morning and it was just the two of them. They were out in the and Bell asked if he could touch her chest. He asked her please if he could touch her chest an said she was afraid to say no. He told her to go sneak into the changing room. She went in and he came in after her. -said Bell had her remove her leotard top down to her waist and then he touched her on one side of the chest with one hand.- said he was standing in front of her when he did this and after told her that he liked doing it. stated that this happened again last summer. Bell asked if he could touch her chest and she was still afraid to say no. She went into the changing room and he came in and she pulled down her leotard top and he touched her on one side of her chest with one hand. She did not recall him saying anything to her after he did it. I said there was another time during this past school year when Bell asked if he could touch her again and told him that she did not want him to do that anymore. He asked her if he could still look at her. I asked- what this meant. She told me that Bell would look at her inside the changing room without her clothes. She said this happened a lot. She said the first time this happened she was eight years old and told her that he wanted to look at her stomach muscles. This was when Bell ?rst came there. He told- to take her leotard down and put on a t-shirt. She took down her leotard to her waist, put on the t~shirt then took the leotard down to her knees. She said Bell asked her to take her leotard down to her knees and she lifted her shirt. She stated that she was not wearing underwear. said she thinks Bell made a comment that her stomach muscles were strong. stated that he would ask to touch her vagina, but she would say no.- stated that this would happen approximately three times a month. She stated that she only used the t-shirt the ?rst time. All the other times she would go into the changing room or behind the mats in the gym. She would take her leotard all the way off down to her ankles.- stated that Bell would tell her that her "boobs" were not big enough, but her bod was perfect. She stated that he would be laughing when he to told her that her "boobs" were not big enough. stated that Bell would ask her, although not every time, if he could touch her vagina, but she would tell him no. stated 5 that the last time this happened was Friday July 11, 2003. It was early in the morning and no other kids were there yet. Bell told her to go into the changing room and then he came in after her. He had her pull her leotard down to her ankles. She said he did not say anything to her this time. -stated that before he started coming into the changing room with her he would tell her when she went into the changing room to take her leotard down to her waist and look at her stomach muscles in the mirror. I asked- if Bell ever took any pictures of her when he had her do this. She stated that last summer, in the morning after she first got to the Bell asked if he could take a picture of her so he would not have to keep asking to look at her. Bell told to go over to the mats and take her leotard off and then he took a picture of her naked- believes he took one or two photos of her. For one of the photos he had her sit up straight with her feet on the ?oor and her legs together. The other photo he had her pull her knees up toward her chest, feet together and her knees spread apart. She said she asked him not to include her face in the photos, however, she stated that she did not see any of the photos that he took. She said this happened in the morning when no one else was there at the gym. -stated that Bell used a digital camera. She stated that he wanted to take other photos of her, but his SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Ref: 03-1577-0F Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Entry ID: 30WS Modified: 07/05/2006 1057 MOdified ID: 23KM Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Approval ID: 4ET camera broke and then he got ?red. asked- if there was anything else she wanted to add to her statement. She told me that last summer Bell touched her vagina on the outside of her leotard, but he never inserted his ?nger into her. She said this was the only time he did this because she got mad at him and he never did it again. She also stated that last summer Bell asked her if she wished to see his private and she said no.- stated that she was almost out of the changing room area when she turned around and saw Bell's penis sticking straight out. She stated that when she saw this she turned around and started crying. She stated that Bell came up to her and hugged her and told her that he would never do that again. added that Bell would always be making sexual comments to her. She said she had a red bathing suit and Bell told her she should wear it more often because its like a bikini. She stated that if she had a leotard on and it was shinny he would say that he liked it on her, that he could almost see through it. The last incident- spoke about happened during this past school year when Bell would help her stretch. She stated that he legs were spread and he would have his legs against her, sitting across from her. Bell would pull her hands toward his penis area and put hands on his penis. She stated that this happened for over two weeks, everyday, and it took her about one week to tell him not to do it anymore because she was scared. On Wednesday July 30, 2003 at 0800 hours I oke with . She heard from Bell who informed her that he would be staying with his brother, at . He told her that he would be getting his old apartment and that he would be working as a volunteer at the Allyn, WA ?re department. Detective Macioci stated that yesterday Peter Milinazzo dropped off a computer hard drive that was left behind at the YMCA. One of the girls on the team provided Mr. Milinazzo with an e?mail address for Bell jwb4275@aol.com. At approximately 0830 hours spoke with Assistant Attorney General Steve Dambiuch and briefed him on this i complaint. He suggested I contact law enforcement in Washington in an attempt to obtain a search warrant for any computer or electronics in Bell's possession. I spoke with Mr. Milinazzo at the YMCA. He stated that the computer hard drive belonged to the YMCA. It was next to the computer that the kids have access to in the to do their homework. He located an address Bell provided at the time of his hiring?. He also had a PO Box in Allyn at the time, At a roxirnately 0930 hours I received a call from . She informed me that her daughter, told her last night that Jim would place hands on his penis, 0n the outside of his clothing, when he helped her stretch on the mats. told her that this occurred last summer.- told me that has been out of the gymnastics ro ram for a roximatel one year. She told her mother at the time that she did not like Jim. She informed me that and? would be the ?rst to arrive.- told her mother that when Jim was stretching with one of them he would have the other be a "greater" and go to the door and let Jim know when other girls came into the gym.- also told her mother that she would go into the closet so SUBPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Ref: Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Entry ID: 30WS Modified: 07/05/2006 8 1057 Modified ID: 23KM Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Approval ID: 4ET Jim could check her stomach muscles. She was going to ask- if Jim ever took any photos of her. At approximately 1000 hours_, called me. She had a dau hter, agel, who left the nastics program approximately six to twelve months ago. She told me that was not touched by Jim. stated that she did contact Detective Abel Fernandes of this de artment regarding a rumor she heard that Jim had a camera in the changing room. It proved to be unfounded? stated that one time Bell made i feel uncomfortable by asking her to change into a bathing suit so he could check her development. At approximately 140 hours (0840 hours Paci?c time) I spoke with Detective Bill Hunt of the Mason County Sheriff?s Office in Washington. I briefed him on this complaint and he requested I fax a copy of this complaint. He stated that he would apply for a search warrant for Bell?s computer and any other electronic equipment in his possession. Det. Hunt can be reached at 360-427?9670 x210 360-426-0567 fax. At 1 145 hours I received a call from?. She informed me that her daughter,-, age', was not touched by Bell. She stated, however, that her daughter may have some information regarding some of Bell's activity at the YMCA. At 1205 hours Iwent to the YMCA and met with Mr. Milinazzo. He took me to the gymnastics to show me the changing room off of the gym. This area off of the contains a row of lockers to the left and the changing room to the right. The changing room itself measures approximately 6 feet by 4 feet wide. There is a plastic bi-fold door that can be secured from the inside with with a hook and type lock. There was a maroon curtain stapled to the outside top of the door frame. The curtain was tucked behind some shelving. Inside the changing room is a mirror that is screwed into a stud. There is metal shelving that holds some tools and video tapes. The ceiling to this room is Open to the roof of the gym. There is no drop ceiling. I took several photos of this area and attached them to this complaint. Prior to leaving I received from Mr. Milinazzo a computer tower that Bell had access to in an office inside the YMCA. This computer has internet access. Mr. Bell was not the sole user of this computer. At 1310 hours I received a call from w) . Her daughter, age', was not touched - by Bell.- stated that as a precation she had examined at the Child Safe Clinic at Hasbro HOSpital. After examination they felt comfortable that had not been abused. At 1450 hours I called and left a message for Special Agent Jim Mooney, Providence of?ce of the Secret Service, 331-6456, for assistance to decipher the contents of the hard drives taken from the YMCA. At 1600 hours_ called me. She stated that she spoke with- who told her that she would feel more comfortable speaking with a woman- told her mother that Jim touched her chest and stomach muscles and one time kissed her on the mouth. On Thursday July 31, 2003 at 0800 hours had messages on my voice mail from who told me that her daughter,-, had information regarding this incident and whose daughter received email from Bell last night- I spoke with? who informed me that her daughter received instant message last night from Bell. She SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Ref: Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Entry ID: BOWS Modified: 07/05/2006 1057 Modified ID: 23KM Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Approval ID: 4ET stated that the message was a general greeting and it did not appear that Bell was aware of the investigation. At 0900 hours I went to Newport Police and met with Stacy Abjornson and Michael Whalen of the Children's Advocacy Center and Steve Dambruch of the Newport County AG's of?ce- was present with her mother, Miss Abjornson began the interview of- at 0920 hours. The interview was video recorded and myself, Steve Dambruch and Michael Whalen observed the interview from an adjacent room. is thirteen years old. She stated that when she was eleven or twelve Bell asked her to take all of her clothes off so he could check her muscular development. It was a Friday during the school year and there was no changing roam at the time when this happened. She heard of a video camera in the changing room but never saw one. She said she was scared and he encouraged her to do it. She stated that he wanted to make this a regular Friday ritual. She said that after this she took off her leotard top down to her waist. She said that Bell made it sound like something bad would happen if she didn?t comply. She said Bell would tell us that we were pretty and that he would ask to see us to check our muscular development. She said it stopped for about six months then started again when he put aloe vera on her. She said this incident happened last summer in June or July, in the morning. it happened in the closet when it was now a changing room. Bell told her she had to take off her leotard. - said she was scared and Bell asked her if she felt comfortable, she lied and told him yes. said she had a bad sunburn and Bell put aloe vera on her back, stomach and chest. She was asked to elaborate about him touching her chest and. indicated that he may have touched her chest just under her breast, but she wouldn't con?rm it, stating she was unsure. She stated that Bell told her not to tell anyone because he would get in trouble and people will think he was sexually abusing her. She said she took her leotard top down to her waist for 3 him to do this. After he did this he told her to go back out to the and act like nothing happened. also stated that beginning last summer when doing straddle stretches with Bell he would take her hands and put them on his penis, on the outside of his clothing. She said she did not say anything because she was afraid. She said she tried to slid them away and he would put them back. She said he used to do this everyday for about three weeks. . She said she felt his penis and described it as ?sticking out" and when she felt it, it felt uncomfortable. It stopped when she asked if she could stretch with another person. said one time Bell got angry when she wore shorts over her leotard. She also stated that when you did a good job Bell would slap you on the butt and kind of feel around. also stated that told her that Bell kissed her on the li and it felt like something was in her mouth, but she wasn?t sure. She also said told her that Bell made lie on top of her and asked her i to have sex and marry him. - said that both of them were clothed when Bell had-lie on top of him. .said she saw Bell?s digital camera. He didn?t take any pictures of her but he asked her to take pictures of the girls when they were practicing once. - said she last saw Jim on a Monday night when she was at a friend's house. She said Jim wanted her to e?mail . if .m SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Entry ID: BOWS Modified: 07/05/2006 1057 Modified ID: 23KM Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Approval ID: 4ET and instant message him and gave her his e?mail address. She stated that she has not emailed him and she has not checked her e?mail for any messages from him. At approximately 1300 hours i received a call from SA. Jim Mooney of the Secret Service. He gave me the name of Sergeant Chris Emerson in North Kingstown,-. Sergeant Emerson is on the Missing, Endangered Children?s Task Force and could help me decipher anything on the YMCA hard drives. SA. Mooney informed me that between he and Sgt. Emerson they would be able to do this for me. I spoke with Sergeant Emerson and we agreed to contact each other on Tuesday, August 5 to set up a time to meet. On August 1, 2003 at 1300 hours i went to Newport Police and again met with Stacy Ab'ornson, Michael Whalen and Assistant A.G. Steve Miss Abjornson inteiyiewed-, agei. stated that about three months after Bell was hired as a coach he would have her touch his penis when they were doing straddle stretches. They would stretch behind a mat, out of the view, in the corner of the gym. He would pull her hands forward, holding her wrists and putting her hands on his privates, which she identi?ed as his penis. She said she did not say anything, but felt bad about it. She said it would go on for about ?ve minutes during the stretching. She said it happened almost everyday, Monday through Friday, when practice was from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. She was asked to describe what it felt like when he had her do this. She said it was really disgusting, but did not elaborate further. said there was a time when Bell kissed her in the closet, the changing room. He told her not to say anything. She said he stayed behind and she went out to the for lunch- said she changed in the changing room once or twice and would usually change in the girls bathroom. said another time she was in the closet and Bell touched her chest and stomach muscles, on the outside of her leotard. He told her that he was checking her shoulder development. She marked a diagram that was provided to her by Miss Abjornson where Bell touched her. was stated that she and? were the ?rst to arrive in the mornings. Bell would have one of them be a greater while he stretched with one. When she was the treeter she was to tell Bell when a student came into the gym. He told them he had an attendance list, however,h, said she never saw one. - said she never saw Bell touch- and she did not see Bell do anything to anyone else. At 1630 hours I spoke with-, who told me that his daughter,-, agel, was on the com etitive team and Bell was her coach. He said that- told him that Bell did not touch her inappropriately. stated if I wished to talk to his daughter regarding any additional information I may. At 1710 hours I took a statement from-, age'. - stated that Bell was her coach on the competitive team. I asked her if Bell ever made her feel uncomfortable at all. She told me that starting last summer Bell would suggest to her and the other girls to go into the closet and change there clothes in there. He would tell and the other girls to check out their muscles in the mirror. She stated that he kept asking them to do this, once or twice a week, even up until he left. - stated this made her feel uncomfortable and she would change in i SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK I Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Entry ID: 30WS Mbdified: 07/05/2006 1057 Modified ID: 23KM Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Approval ID: 4ET the girl bathroom. She said there was a rumor among the girls that there was a video camera in the changing room. I asked her if Bell ever touched her on her body where she did not want to be touched. She said not intentionally. She said during spotting her he would sometimes grab her around her stomach. She related an incident back in October or November of 2002 when she went to Bell complaining of shoulder pain. He went and got some Ben Gay and when he came back he moved the strap of her leotard and started rubbing it in. She told him that she could do it herself and he said ok and stOpped. She said this happened just inside the door to the closet area off the gym. She thought there may have been another girl present in front of the lockers, but she wasn't sure. . said she sometime last mid summer she came back into the early from lunch and saw Bell and-SS alone in the gym. She stated that Bell asked her what she was doing and he was kind of harsh about it. She told him that she had to go to the bathroom and he was like 0k, hurry up. She said he and- were not in a secluded part of the gym. She said they were just talking when she walked in. - added that early last summer. was on the vault and she had a bad sunburn on her back and when she was getting spotted it hurt that she cried. She said everyone told her to get some ointment on the burn and she said ok. Bell was there and he told. she should put some aloe on and to come with him. She said she saw- and Jim walk over to the closet. She said she could see them just inside the door when she ?nished her vault and was turning to walk back to line. After that vault she could no longer see them. stated that she did not remember coming back to vault that day. I asked her if - ever told her about something happening between her and Bell. stated that. told her Bell felt her stomach muscles and that it made her feel uncomfortable and felt that Bell was touching her the wrong way.- asked her if she meant when he spotted her and she said no. did not elaborate any further. stated that since October of 2002- would always ask her to be her partner.- told- that she did not feel comfortable being alone with Bell. I asked- if any other girls ever expressed this to her about Bell and she said no. I asked her if Bell ever asked to take any pictures or video of her alone and she said no. - stated that on July 15 she was in a invitation only chat room with!- and Bell.- said something about going on a ?eld trip and her bathing suit not ?tting her. Bell asked er if it shrunk and she said no, that she was fit. Bell responded by saying not to worry that her body's perfect. mother, who was present during this interview, interjected and stated that She saw this correspondence. She stated that she did not feel it was appropriate for a coach to be in a chat room with students. At 1940 hours I met with at . This was the apartment rented to Bell. I looked through the apartment for anything left behind that may be pertinent to this case and found nothing. provided me with several recent photos of Bell. She said she also received a call from Bell last evening at approximately 8:51 pm. She did not take the call because she was out. The call came from Bell's brother's residence in Allyn, WA. 1 On Tuesday August 5, 2003 at 1045 hours Sergeant Christopher Emerson came to the Middletown Police station. 1 .. . . . . SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Modified: 07/05/2006 1057 Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Entry ID: 30WS Modified ID: 23KM Approval ID 4ET turned over to him, for examination, the computer tower and computer hard drive obtained from the YMCA. On Wednesday August 6, 2003 at 1500 hours I met with Assistant A.G. Steve Dambruch to discuss the charges for Bell. At this time Bell will be char red with seven counts of second degree child molestation among the three victims. For victim three counts; touching her chest 06-01-02 t0 08?31?02, touching her vagina 06?01-02 to 08-31?03 and Bell having her touch his genitals 08-31?02 to 06?30-03. two counts touching her chest 06-01-02 to 07?31?02 and Bell having her touch his genitals 06?01-02 to 07?31?02. touching her chest 01?Ol-01 to 12-31?02 and Bell having her touch his genitals 01-01-01 to 12-31?02. On Thursday August 7, 2003 at 1130 hours 1 met with Assistant A.G. Dambruch and we went before District Court Judge German who signed an af?davit and arrest warrant for Bell charging him with seven counts of second degree child molestation. Assistant A.G. Dambiuch told me to have the warrant entered into NCIC stating that the State of Rhode Island would extradite Bell from Washington. After entering the warrant I contacted Detective Bill Hunt at the Mason County Sheriffs Office and informed him of the warrant. He stated that he was completing his search warrant for Bell?s vehicle and the residence where he was staying. He stated that they would go there this afternoon and execute the warrants. I received a phone call at approximately 1830 hours from the station and was informed that Bell was arrested in Washington. On Friday August 8, 2003 I reported for duty at 1500 hours. was informed that Bell waived extradition at his arraignment. He gave a statement to Mason County Sheriff deputies and a copy of that statement was faxed to me. I later faxed this statement to Assistant A.G. Dambiuch. On Tuesday August 19, 2003 Detective John Gatta and I went to Sheldon, Washington to the Mason County Sheriffs office to transport Bell back to Rhode Island. At approximately 1430 hours we meet with Detective Bill Hunt. He brought us to the cell block where we met with Bell. We used a supervisor's office to conduct the interview. At 1505 hours (Paci?c time) I advised Bell of his rights and he agreed to give a statement. The interview was recorded on audio tape and began at 1530 hours. In his statement Bell stated that he did instruct the girls to check out their muscular development in front of the mirror in the changing room that had been set up just off the gymnastics room floor. He stated that he built this area, with the approveinent of the YMCA, for the girls to change in so they would not tie up the other girls who needed to go to their lockers. Bell stated that he suggested some of the girls that they should take their teps down so that they could really see how they were developing. He stated that he did this so the girls could tell him where they need to improve. Bell stated that there were opportunities when he would be alone with the girls. He stated that he saw one of the girls, alone in the changing room with her top down. He identified this girl as . He said it happened by accident. He stated that she had a sunburn and was applying lotion when he walked in and he top was down. Bell stated that . SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Ref: OB-1577-OF Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Entry ID: sows Modified: 07/05/2006 0 1057 Modified ID: 23KM Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Approval ID: 4ET he assisted her by putting lotion on- back. Her shoulders and back. He stated that he did not touch her anywhere else. i asked Bell if he touched any of the other girls anywhere. He stated that he touched- in the stomach. He said he was just hugging her one day, from the side and just rubbed her stomach. I asked him if he ever asked- to disrobe so he could check out her muscular development and he stated yes. He said he saw- with her top off about one year ago. I asked him where and he said just inside the door to the dressing area. When I asked him if he had walked in on her he asked that the tape be stopped. With the tape off Bell stated he knew what he did was wrong. He stated that he was so impressed by- and how strong she was. He kept stating that he knew it was wrong for him to do and said that he wanted to get help. He said he did not want to end up like some of the people that were here in jail with him. He wanted to relay that it wasn?t sexual what he was doing, he was just impressed with her athletic abilities. The recorder was turned back on and Bell continued. He stated that he asked- if he could look at her. He stated that she was his strongest, most powerful athlete. He said it was curiosity more than anything else, how physically ?t she was, so he asked her. Bell stated that when he asked- to do this she was ok with it. She would take her t0p down and he would look. Bell stated that he did touch on the stomach "once or twice" when her t0p was down. Bell also stated that he did take a digital photo 0 naked, approximately one year ago. He stated that he felt so bad when he did it that he destroyed it. He said it was over a year ago when the two of them were alone in the gymvaulting horse, near a mat. He stated that the two of them were alone when he did this. Bell emphasized that he only took one photo and that after he took it he destroyed it by erasing it from the camera. Bell stated that he had taken onl for his own personal view and that he never downloaded the photo. He said the camera belonged to- i hdaughter, Bell stated that he took the photo with? consent. He stated that he asked her if he could take the hoto so he would not have to ask her again if he could look at her. Bell stated, however, that he did ask to look at once or twice after this incident. He stated that he would ask to look at her and she would remove her leotard top down to her stomach. Bell then emphasized again that it was not for any sexual reason, that he admired her strong body. Then he stated, ?maybe that is the don?t know". Bell stated that he viewed his relationship with- as a "serogate dad". He said he treated her as a daughter. He would give her hugs when she was feeling down, maybe kiss her on the forehead, make her feel that she's loved and wanted. Bell stated that he touched her only on the stomach. He stated that if he had touched- on the chest he would not have noticed because she was not developed. He said when he rubbed her stomach his hand could have gone higher. I asked Bell if he had ever touched- on her vagina and he said no. If he ever asked if he could touch her vagina and he said no. He said all he wanted to do was look. Bell then asked if I could stop the recorder. He wanted a minute to compose himself. He began to cry then sob. He SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Ref: Entered: 07/25/2003 8 2000 Modified: 07/05/2006 1057 Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Entry ID: BOWS Modified ID: 23KM Approval ID: 4ET touch his groin area. He said he never intentionally tried to put took a few minutes to compose himself and then the recorder was started. I asked Bell to explain how he helped the girls with their stretching exercises. I asked him if there was ever an Opportunity where hands went on his penis and he said, absolutely. He said when he pulled her forward and it hurt she would just push up and hit him. Bell explained that he would face the girls, sitting, and pull them toward him pulling their hands/wrists to the outside of his hips, however, when pushed away she would somehow hands on his penis. Bell stated that he worked with the other girls as well with stretching exercises. I asked him if he placed any of the other girls hands on his penis and he said no. Bell stated that the only person who should have a complaint it do anything to anybody else. He stated that with he was in trouble for. He said as I asked Bell to clarify this and he said one time he asked if he could touch and . He stated that he touched nobody else, didn't he asked if he could look at her and that?s what he thought put it look but don't touch. said no, look but don?t touch. I asked him where and he told me her stomach. I stated that he said he did touch her there and Bell became nervous i and stated that after he did this once or twice said he could look but not touch. Bell was asked if he ever exposed himself and he stated no. Bell reiterated again that the only girl who should have a complaint is asked Bell about . He said he was never alone with-n. He said that he and- never got along. He said he never tried to show her any affection. I asked Bell if there were any other girls who were no longer in the program, or still in the program that he may have touched and he stated absolutely no. Again he stated that the only complaint should really be-. The interview was concluded at 4:35 pm. On August 21, 2003 I had a voice mail from Sergeant Christopher Emerson regarding the computer tower and hard drive. He stated that he searched both and found no incriminating photos or other data. I also spoke with Pete Milinazzo on this date. He told me that he had returned from Los Angeles where he accompanied his wife,-, to the US Gymnastics Championships. He stated that he met a woman, from Olympia, Washington. had at one time employed Bell. She informed Mr. Milinazzo that she had information regarding Bell that may be helpful. On Friday August 29, 2003 I spoke with . She told me that she was the former owner of Olympia Gymnastics Academy. She employed Bell from September/October of 1991 to March of 1993 when she terminated him. She told me that she received a copy of a news clipping regarding Bell's arrest in Bend Oregon. She stated that there were no complaints involving any of her students, however, when she received this information she contacted her attorney and she dismissed Bell for failing to reveal this at the time he was hired. discovered that in addition to the complaint filed with Bend Oregon there were other complaints regarding Bell at other gymnastics that were not reported to police. She stated that some of the allegations included child pornography and inappropriate behavior with students. She stated that she was going to put together -miimmww.xnm SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE FOR DETECTIVE A SWIERK Ref: 03-1577-OF Entered: 07/25/2003 2000 Entry ID: 30WS Modified: 07/05/2006 1057 Modified ID: 23KM Approved: 07/28/2003 1100 Approval ID: 4ET the information She had and forward it to me. On Tuesday September 30, 2003 at 0900 hours I went to North Kingstown Police and met with Sergeant Emerson. He turned over to me the hard drive and computer tower. He provided me with a copy of his report. At approximately 1100 hours I went to the Newport County YMCA and returned the hard drive and computer tower to Peter Milinazzo. Portions of this report have been redacted