Former Waynesville gym owner surrenders to police; facing multiple sex crime charges – WLOS

Report on Criminal Indictment and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Case Summary

A report from the Waynesville Police Department confirms that Stephen Edward Speed, the former proprietor of All About Fitness in Waynesville, N.C., has surrendered to the Haywood County Detention Center. This action follows a Grand Jury indictment on multiple criminal charges. The case presents significant challenges to the achievement of several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, gender equality, and justice.

Formal Charges and Violations of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The indictment against Mr. Speed details numerous offenses that directly contravene the principles of SDG 16, which aims to promote just, peaceful, and inclusive societies. The justice system’s response, through indictment and detention, reflects the institutional mechanisms designed to uphold the rule of law. The specific charges include:

1. Five counts of disseminating obscenity
2. Two counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor
3. Three counts of second-degree forcible sexual offense
4. Assault by strangulation
5. Extortion
6. Intimidating a witness-possession of a firearm by a person subject to a domestic violence order

The charges of sexual exploitation of a minor are a direct violation of SDG Target 16.2, which calls for an end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children. Furthermore, the charges of extortion and intimidating a witness undermine SDG Target 16.3, which seeks to ensure equal access to justice for all.

Undermining SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being & SDG 5: Gender Equality

The allegations represent a severe breach of community trust and a direct assault on individual health and safety, goals central to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

• Violation of Physical and Mental Health (SDG 3): The charges of forcible sexual offense and assault by strangulation are fundamental violations of an individual’s right to physical and mental well-being. A fitness center, ostensibly a place for promoting health, was allegedly the setting for acts causing profound harm.
• Gender-Based Violence (SDG 5): The nature of the sexual offenses and intimidation constitutes a form of gender-based violence, which SDG 5 aims to eliminate. Such actions create environments of fear and inequality, preventing the full and effective participation of all individuals in society.

Broader Community Impact and Relation to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

This case impacts the broader community’s sense of safety and security, a key component of SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The alleged use of a community-focused business, All About Fitness, for criminal activities erodes public trust and compromises the safety of public spaces. The business, now permanently closed following destruction from Hurricane Helene, can no longer contribute to the community’s economic or social well-being.

Case Background and Procedural Status

• Subject: Stephen Edward Speed, former owner of All About Fitness.
• Alleged Offense Locations: Court records indicate incidents occurred at the subject’s gym, including in a “Red Light Room” intended for therapeutic purposes.
• Prior Record: eCourts records show a dismissed misdemeanor child abuse charge against Mr. Speed from 2020.
• Current Status: The subject is being held on a $500,000 bond, as the judicial process continues in alignment with the framework of SDG 16.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article primarily addresses issues related to two Sustainable Development Goals:

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     This goal aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The article connects to this SDG through its discussion of violent crimes such as “second-degree forcible sexual offense” and “assault by strangulation.” These forms of violence are significant barriers to gender equality, as they disproportionately affect women and girls.

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     This goal focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions. The article is fundamentally about the justice system in action. It details the indictment by a Grand Jury, the specific criminal charges filed (“disseminating obscenity,” “sexual exploitation of a minor,” “extortion,” “intimidating a witness”), and the legal process, including the suspect turning himself in and being held on bond. This directly relates to the goal of ensuring public access to justice and combating crime.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Several specific targets can be identified based on the crimes and legal actions described:

   • Targets under SDG 5

     • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including… sexual and other types of exploitation. The charges of “three counts of second-degree forcible sexual offense,” “assault by strangulation,” and “two counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor” are direct examples of the violence and exploitation this target aims to eliminate.

   • Targets under SDG 16

     • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The charges of “assault by strangulation” and “forcible sexual offense” represent the types of violence this target seeks to reduce.
     • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The charge of “two counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor” directly corresponds to the objectives of this target.
     • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and local levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The entire article illustrates this target. The actions of the Waynesville Police Department, the Grand Jury indictment, and the documentation in eCourts records demonstrate the rule of law being applied. Furthermore, the charge of “intimidating a witness” highlights a direct threat to justice, and the prosecution of this offense reinforces the commitment to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   While the article does not provide statistical data, it implies several indicators by describing the nature of the crimes and the justice system’s response:

   • Implied Indicators for SDG 5 and SDG 16

     • Indicator 16.1.3: Proportion of population subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence in the previous 12 months. The specific crimes listed, such as “assault by strangulation” and “second-degree forcible sexual offense,” are the types of incidents that this indicator measures. The article provides a qualitative example of this violence occurring.
     • Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18–29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18. The charge of “third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor” directly relates to the measurement of sexual violence experienced by individuals before the age of 18.
     • Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities. The fact that the case has proceeded to an indictment by a Grand Jury implies that victims reported the crimes to the police. The charge of “intimidating a witness” also underscores the importance of victim and witness reporting for the justice system to function, a key component of this indicator.
     • Indicator 16.3.2: Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population. The article states that the suspect “is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.” This identifies him as an unsentenced detainee, which is the specific population measured by this indicator.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from Article)
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls, including sexual exploitation.	The article’s mention of “second-degree forcible sexual offense” and “sexual exploitation of a minor” serves as a case study for the types of violence measured.
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence.	16.1.3: The charges of “assault by strangulation” and “forcible sexual offense” are examples of the physical and sexual violence this indicator tracks.
   	16.2: End abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence against children.	16.2.3: The charge of “third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor” directly relates to the measurement of sexual violence experienced by minors.
   	16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice.	16.3.1: The indictment implies that victims reported the violence to authorities. The charge of “intimidating a witness” highlights a direct threat to this process. 16.3.2: The statement that the suspect is “being held on a $500,000 bond” identifies him as an unsentenced detainee.

Source: wlos.com