More charges filed against suspected serial molester
TACOMA, Wash. -- A Lake Tapps pilot who was accused in November of child sex crimes has pleaded not guilty to additional federal charges.
With Monday's plea, Weldon Marc Gilbert is now awaiting trial in Tacoma on a total of 32 charges involving 16 boys. They include producing child pornography, transporting a minor to engage in sexual activity and obstructing justice.
The new charges resulted from more than 400 hours of video seized last year from Gilbert's home.
Court records say the videos show Gilbert sexually abusing boys. Prosecutors say he groomed boys by offering flying lessons, money and alcohol.
Once the he had gotten the children to his house, he would get them drunk, tie them down and beat them, all with the camera rolling, detectives said.
"He had rooms specifically designated for this," Pierce County sheriff spokesman said after Gilbert's arrest last fall. "He was an intelligent man. He was a wealthy man. He put all of those things together, and he was able to do what he needed to do to get what he wanted."
Investigators said the footage shows little boys crying out during the especially malicious attacks with his hands or an assortment of paddles. The beatings often left welts, bruises and cuts on the victims who were as young as 12 years old, detectives said.
Gilbert was arrested in October after the adult brothers of two alleged victims told the FBI they suspected Gilbert of abuse.
When investigators searched Gilbert's house, they found a so-called "Mario Room" decorated with the video game character. It's where detectives say many of the alleged rapes occurred - and where the video tapes were made.
With Monday's plea, Weldon Marc Gilbert is now awaiting trial in Tacoma on a total of 32 charges involving 16 boys. They include producing child pornography, transporting a minor to engage in sexual activity and obstructing justice.
The new charges resulted from more than 400 hours of video seized last year from Gilbert's home.
Court records say the videos show Gilbert sexually abusing boys. Prosecutors say he groomed boys by offering flying lessons, money and alcohol.
Once the he had gotten the children to his house, he would get them drunk, tie them down and beat them, all with the camera rolling, detectives said.
"He had rooms specifically designated for this," Pierce County sheriff spokesman said after Gilbert's arrest last fall. "He was an intelligent man. He was a wealthy man. He put all of those things together, and he was able to do what he needed to do to get what he wanted."
Investigators said the footage shows little boys crying out during the especially malicious attacks with his hands or an assortment of paddles. The beatings often left welts, bruises and cuts on the victims who were as young as 12 years old, detectives said.
Gilbert was arrested in October after the adult brothers of two alleged victims told the FBI they suspected Gilbert of abuse.
When investigators searched Gilbert's house, they found a so-called "Mario Room" decorated with the video game character. It's where detectives say many of the alleged rapes occurred - and where the video tapes were made.
