VA- Child molester David C. Trainum to remain in state custody

6-4-2009 Virginia:

WAYNESBORO — A child molester who left a trail of victims in his wake and was civilly committed by the state after serving out his prison term was denied freedom Wednesday during an annual review in Waynesboro Circuit Court.

Last June, David C. Trainum, 57, of Stuarts Draft was ordered into state custody indefinitely at a state-run institution for sexually violent predators. On Wednesday, Circuit Judge Humes J. Franklin Jr. ruled that Trainum must remain in state custody for at least another year despite Trainum's vow that he hasn't been sexually attracted to children since 1989.

"I'll never do that to a child again," he said, using sign language that was interpreted for the court.

Testifying
On Wednesday, Dr. Mario Dennis, the clinical director of the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation (VCBR), testified that Trainum has exhibited resistance to group therapy at the VCBR, has a tendency to blame his victims and at times has shown a "sense of entitlement."

Trainum testified that his life has changed, and also acknowledged his victims. "I did steal their innocence and their value to society," he said. Trainum complained that because he is hearing impaired, VCBR's impact is limited because he is not afforded an interpreter for much of the day and must communicate through writing. He argued that he'd be better off being released, where he could continue therapy and gain more access to aid.

Pamela Sargent, the senior assistant attorney general, was unmoved by Trainum's statements.

"He can talk all he wants," Sargent said. "Right now he's a largely untreated sex offender."

Violating Probation
Trainum was convicted in 1984 for molesting two boys, 9 and 11, while he babysat for them. Four years later he was found guilty of a sexual offense in West Virginia involving a 9-year-old paperboy. In 1990 in Waynesboro, Trainum was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old boy after the two developed a sexual relationship. Trainum also was convicted in Augusta Circuit Court of aggravated sexual battery in 1993, and then violated probation in that case when he wrote a letter to the 7-year-old victim and the boy's family.

Sentenced to a total of 18 years, Trainum again violated parole in 2003 following his release from prison when he approached a 15-year-old boy in Fishersville to "offer guidance," according to a previous testimony.

While conceding that Trainum is at a "significant disadvantage" because of his hearing impairment, Franklin nonetheless ordered that Trainum remain civilly committed. Next year's annual review has not been scheduled.

Virginia is one of 17 states that can opt for a civil commitment involving violent sexual offenders, a practice upheld in 1997 by the United States Supreme Court. ..Source.. by Brad Zinn