Prosecutors to file more charges against trio in child sex abuse case
Prosecutors said Tuesday that they expect to add new charges to the long list of allegations against three people accused of videotaping sexual abuse of at least eight children.
Christopher Sena already faces more than 20 counts, including sexual assault against children, incest, lewdness with children and child abuse or neglect. The new charges are expected to be detailed later this week during a bail hearing.
Terrie Sena, 43, a licensed kindergarten through 12th grade substitute teacher with the Clark County School District, and Deborah Sena, 50, face a combined 27 similar counts. They are expected back in court next week.
Christopher Sena is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on $250,000 bail, while the two women were being held without bail.
Prosecutor Jim Sweetin said police were still poring over “a ton of other digital storage stuff” in their ongoing investigation.
Sweetin would not say what new charges would be filed, only indicating that he expected “a number of additional charges.”
Court documents made public Tuesday paint a picture of abuse dating back to 2001. The three Senas are accused of fondling and having sex with the children, including one as young as 11.
Terrie Sena also faces an abuse and neglect charge for endangering a 6-year-old, documents said.
Christopher Sena, according to documents, is also charged with threatening to break a child’s legs if he told anyone about the abuse.
Police on Friday described Christopher Sena as the main perpetrator and said he used “fear and intimidation.”
Neighbors have said that the children and Deborah and Terrie Sena were on edge when Christopher Sena would work on his vehicles in the front yard.
Metro’s investigation started in September after Deborah Sena, another adult and a child told a family law attorney about the abuse. The lawyer then called police.
That investigation led to the arrest of 47-year-old Christopher Sena three months ago.
Defense lawyer Kristina Wildeveld said two of the children lived with Deborah Sena until her arrest last week.
“I think the evidence will show that Deborah wasn’t a willing participant in the activities that took place,” Wildeveld said. “Right now, the evidence shows she was a victim of domestic violence and unwilling participant in the acts she was forced to do.”
Attorney Tom Pitaro, who was appointed Tuesday to represent Terrie Sena, said he had not yet reviewd the facts of the case.
Deputy Public Defender Violet Radosta, who represents Christopher Sena, told a judge Tuesday that she wanted to review the new charges before Thursday’s hearing.
Police said a woman and a boy were forced to have sex with their parents — the three Senas who have since been arrested — and that the acts were recorded.
Eight children identified as being abused were immediate and extended family members, police said. Investigators believe there are more victims.
Not every child who lived in the house was abused, police said.
A Metro SWAT team on Sept. 18 served a search warrant at a trailer in the 6000 block of Yellowstone Avenue, near Lake Mead Boulevard and Mount Hood Street, where police say the abuse happened. Officers found at least 30 pieces of electronic and recording equipment.
Review-Journal reporter Ricardo Torres contributed to this report.
Contact reporter David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker