LA-area 'boot camp' operator sentenced for abuse

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

LA-area 'boot camp' operator sentenced for abuse
The Associated Press
Published: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 4:11 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 4:11 p.m.

A man who ran a Southern California "boot camp" for troubled youngsters has been sentenced to nearly 4 1/2 years in prison for child abuse and kidnapping, and for sexually assaulting two 14-year-old girls.

Forty-three-year-old Kelvin McFarland also was ordered last week to register as a sex offender. Los Angeles County prosecutors say he pleaded no contest in July to nine charges, including extortion and false imprisonment.

Authorities say McFarland, who called himself "1st Sgt. Mac," ran a camp in Pasadena and Altadena that supposedly used military-style discipline.

Videos made at the camp showed instructors shouting at a boy wearing a heavy auto tire and several kids vomiting after being repeatedly ordered to drink water. Prosecutors say McFarland also handcuffed a truant girl.


Read more: http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20140121/APA/1401210923#gsc.tab=0

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(Short article, no more at link.)

[valerief]

1. A perv with all the charm of Christie. Glad he's locked up. nt

[Liberal Veteran]

2. I understand parent's frustration when their child appears to be headed down a bad path, but...

...these places are so under-regulated, I can't imagine anyone handing their child over to them.

There really needs to be a federal law regarding how these places are staffed/run and one that includes charges if one sends their child out of the US to avoid US jurisdiction.