YOUNGSTOWN Parents vow to watch man who showed porn to kids

Some of the parents shed tears as they pleaded for maximum jail time.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Parents in Stuart L. Graham's South Side neighborhood, fearful that he will continue to show pornographic movies to underage boys -- or worse, have mobilized against him.
Outside municipal court Friday, the parents vowed to call police if they see any juveniles enter his home at 2681 Hunter Ave.
Last month, Graham, 59, pleaded no contest to four counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. A charge of public indecency was dismissed.
In September, the mother of an 11-year-old boy told police that her son and four other boys had been watching pornographic movies at Graham's house for two months. During the movies, some of the boys masturbated and Graham exposed himself, the mother said.
Graham was in court Friday for sentencing, accompanied by Boardman attorney Walter D. Ritchie. The lawyer said Graham's prior conviction was in 1975, for attempted sodomy, and that he's been a law-abiding citizen since.
Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. sentenced Graham to 180 days in jail on each of the four counts, suspended 150 days on each, and gave him credit for seven days served. The net result is 113 days in jail.
The sentence also includes two years' probation, with a condition that Graham is to have no contact at all with any juveniles at his home. He must also pay $400 in fines and receive mental-health and sexual-offender counseling.
Parents' comments
Before sentencing, the judge heard from emotionally distraught parents whose sons had gone to Graham's house. They asked that The Vindicator not use their names.
"My son was involved in this. Mr. Graham lured these children in," said one father. "I feel like he should do jail time. ... I frankly am concerned about kids' going to his house."
The man's wife, wiping back tears, spoke next, saying their 11-year-old son told her he was going to Graham's to work on a project. "I feel like I was lied to," she told Judge Douglas.
Instead of working on a porch, Graham showed pornographic videos and encouraged masturbation, the mother said. She felt a crime was perpetrated on her son and called it a shame.
"He's disgusting. To let little children come in and watch videos and masturbate -- that's uncalled for," said the next mother. "He should get what he deserves."
One father, his face red from anger, cautioned Judge Douglas to not give Graham a "slap on the wrist." The father expressed worry that a corpse would be dug up if "little kids," as young as 10, would go there.
The man rubbed tears from his eyes as he took his seat in the gallery.
What judge said
When Judge Douglas asked Graham if he had any statement, the gray-haired man said, "No."
"I cannot control the fact that he is in your neighborhood," Judge Douglas told the parents. No matter how much jail time Graham receives, it doesn't solve the problem, he added.
After court, the parents said the sentencing wasn't harsh enough.
"I think he deserved more," one mother said.
"He's a sick individual," said another.
"We just have to pay attention," said another.
As many as five neighborhood boys still visit Graham, one mother said.
"Any juvenile goes in there, we report it," one father vowed.
Those clustered around him nodded.
The parents understand that if Graham allows juveniles into his house, it's a violation of his probation and the suspended jail time could be reimposed.
At least six parents showed up for the sentencing, some of whom brought their young sons.
meade@vindy.com