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by dal mcintire

BOISE, IDAHO, 11-2-55, et seq.: Investigations by "private eye" Howard Dice of Gem State Investigation Service lead to arrest of Boiseans Vernon Cassel, Ralph Cooper and Charles Brokaw, whose tape-recorded confessions admitted sex acts with at least ten local boys over long period of time.

Shoeshiner Cooper, 33, with long police record (reportedly served time for contributing to delinquency of minor in 1935-something of a minor himself then) hastily sentenced to "life" in State Prison.

Ada County probation officer Bess sez: only "scratches the surface" of investigation involving several men and over 100 boys in Boise. Few days later, Idaho 1st Natl. Bank vice-pres., Joe Moore, taken in custody. Ada County Prosecutor Evans and Sheriff "Doc" House say investigation to continue. Two brothers by adoption, Gordon and Schaffer, arrested following week, after signing confessions regarding two boys aged 15. They were recently paroled after similar charge. Both got 15 year sentences.

"CRUSH THE MONSTER" howled IDAHO DAILY STATESMAN. "It seems almost incredible any such cancerous growth could have taken roots in our midst."

Most of those arrested seem to have been tricked or pressured into signing statements, and generally implicating other "suspects" in a

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widening circle. A reader reports at least 40 others were picked up for questioning, many signing statements, and 150 were listed as suspects. No hint of this in the STATESMAN.

After initial shock, the STATESMAN editorialized that arrests can't even help correct the situation, that homosexuality is not new nor easily remedied, quoted from recent CORONET article, and opined that problem increases geometrically from generation to next: "Tragically, the Scourge multiplies since one adult homosexual usually infects several boys." No one in the whole hysterical state seemed aware that only a few homosexuals (like similar minority of heteros) have any sex interest in juveniles. But STATESMAN recommended "treatment" in place of prison, urging full scale hunt to find all homosexuals before any more youths are corrupted, but pleading to make arrests more politely, as "the expose of homosexuals is cruel torture to the families of persons involved and to business associates." Also urged immediate psychiatric care for all youths involved-variously numbered as perhaps over 200. (KEYHOLE said 1,000.)

Martin Heuman, Sheriff House, Chief Brandon, et al., hastily set up YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE to arrange treatment and jobs for boys. (House said most boys entered sex liasons for money.)

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