Airline Pilot Central Forums - Notorious child molester...

Notorious child molester hit with civil suit
By LEVI PULKKINEN SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Already facing sentencing on 35 counts related to his long-running molestation of at least 17 boys, a Lake Tapps pilot now faces a civil suit from one of his former victims.

Weldon Marc Gilbert, 49, was arrested in November 2007 after authorities came to believe he'd been producing child pornography using boys whom he'd groomed. What began with allegations that Gilbert had raped two boys grew into dozens of charges filed in Pierce County Superior Court and U.S. District Court, to which Gilbert has pleaded guilty.

At issue were numerous videos produced by the well-to-do United Parcel Service pilot in which Weldon "raped, molested, engaged in sexually sadistic conduct with, or engaged in sexually explicit conduct with … boys ranging in age from 10 to 17," Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Rogoff said in court documents filed in the criminal case.

In federal court Monday, one of the children assaulted by Weldon filed a civil suit against him. In the filing, the young man makes allegations identical to those levied in the criminal case.

Through his attorney, the young man claims he initially went to Weldon at age 12 in an effort to obtain alcohol. Weldon allegedly offered to oblige him after an "initiation ceremony" during with Weldon spanked his bare buttocks with a paddle.

In the years that followed, Weldon continued to groom the boy for sexual exploitation, the lawsuit alleges. The young man contends he suffered problems at home and school due to the abuse and is now in therapy as a result.

The man's attorneys have asked that Weldon's assets be frozen pending the outcome of the civil action.

As Weldon's sentencing date approaches, federal prosecutors now contend Weldon has attempted to prolong his connection to one of the victims by writing him a letter.

While Weldon's attorneys contend he was simply attempting to show remorse for his actions, Rogoff argued in recent court filings that the letter shows that Weldon -- who pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice -- lacks remorse for his actions.

"The defendant's latest missive is simply one more piece of evidence that the defendant does not, in any meaningful way, comprehend the damage he has done to the victims in this case," Rogoff said in a June filing. "His belief that he can write a letter, prior to sentencing, and somehow have a meaningful impact on a boy who he abused for more than three years is yet another example of his deviant thought process."

Weldon faces 19 to 25 years in prison on the federal charges at sentencing, which is currently scheduled for Oct. 26. He also faces charges in state court for which he could receive additional time in prison.