Sexual Offender Elevated to Leadership Position in Peace & Freedom Party

Steven Orcutt, a convicted child molester and possessor of child pornography has been appointed to serve for the Peace and Freedom Party (PFP) as Chair inContraCostaCounty. Some of us members and former members have fought his appointment, but we were overruled by many in the Peace and Freedom Party hierarchy, namely the State Central Committee (SCC). Those of us who are opposed see Orcutt’s appointment as a detriment not only to the Party, but to the entire Left Movement and Feminism. Three of us quit the SCC on the same day due to this travesty of liberalism.  

 

According to court documents (which will follow this account and position), Steven Bruce Orcutt aka Frank Runninghorse (not a Native American) “did commit a felony, a violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 288  (c)(1) (Lewd Act Upon Child Age 14-15),

 

“On or about December 8, 2005, at Pleasant Hill, in Contra Costa County, the Defendant, STEVEN BRUCE ORCUTT, did willfully, lewdly, and unlawfully commit a lewd and lascivious act upon and with the body of Jane Doe, who was 14/15 years old, with the intent of arousing, appealing, to and gratifying the lust, passions, and sexual desires of the child and the Defendant, who was at least 10 years older than the child…”

 

Orcutt was 51 years old. He claims that he thought she was 20.

 

His crimes, argued later down to a misdemeanor by his lawyer, were 4 felony counts of lewd acts with a minor (PC 288 [c][1]) and one count of possession of kiddie porn (PC 311.11). He was sentenced to 9 months in jail where he claims to have been beaten by white supremacists. But child molesters are considered so loathsome that even prisoners won’t tolerate them. A civil case followed the criminal case, presumably to provide restitution to his victim. Long after he served time, he claimed that the cops targeted him. But he also changed his name to Runninghorse, and I have read that some Native Americans unwittingly support him because of his Native-sounding name.

 

PFP’s defense of Orcutt centers on the fact that he served his time, and now deserves a second chance. But can we trust him to make the right choices?

 

If past behavior is the predictor of future behavior, what does that say about Orcutt’s failure to seek help for his lapses of judgment? There is no evidence to suggest that he did anything for the victim, other than pay restitution, to ease any pain he caused her. He took advantage of a child to satisfy his selfish sexual needs and need for power, in my opinion, as do all sexual offenders. A 51-year-old knows the difference between a 20-year-old and a child of 14 years; I don’t care what Orcutt claims. Further, he failed to register as a sex offender. Was this an oversight? Or is it part of his pattern of deception? Orcutt and some few PFP SCC members referred to this African-American child as a prostitute, or “pro.” Yet a police officer quite familiar with the criminal case said that the child was in no way a prostitute. And, in defiance of this I say that rape of a prostitute is still rape, molestation, and/or sexual assault. Nor has PFP voiced any concern for the child victim. The issue was given to its Feminist Committee, which likely takes the place of the now defunct (this, in a feminist Party) Women’s Committee. In any case, the issue is likely to die in committee.

 

 I spent time as an advocate for rape victims. I have heard Orcutt’s brand of excuses over and over again. What is it about men in power that makes them take advantage of women and children? An injury to one woman is an injury to us all. Women in power don’t use their power and influence to subjugate men the way they subjugate us. Orcutt’s lewd behavior and failure to show evidence that he has attempted to clean up his act (and mind) in the years following his incarceration point to his lack of interest in feminist issues. What’s more, the PFP has not demanded this of him, but has instead made excuses for him. PFP has a policy of providing child care for members who attend meetings. How would you feel if this creep were watching your daughter?

 

I think now that pressure has to come from the outside. The Democratic and Republican Parties would never put up with something like this. As leftists, and especially feminists, we should all be up in arms. A psychotherapist to whom I told this story told me that Orcutt was “scum.” I couldn’t agree more.