Long-awaited child porn case begins

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By Ann McGlynn | Monday, June 23, 2008 |

Kerwin Summage (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The jury in the long-awaited child pornography trial of Kerwin Summage will see videos of “monstrous, atrocious and horrific” acts, prosecutor Cliff Cronk told them Monday in U.S. District Court, Davenport.

But Summage, acting as his own attorney, asked them to look beyond the “adult-type stuff” and see that he did not make or possess child pornography.

“You won’t see Mr. Summage in illegal activities,” Summage said.

Summage is accused of making pornography with his girlfriend, her 10-month-old son and 3-year-old daughter. Authorities also found child pornography on his computer.

During jury selection, Summage asked potential jury members questions such as whether they believe singer Michael Jackson is innocent or just lucky, whether adult entertainers are immoral or earning a living, and whether “flashers” on spring break are just having fun or doing something illegal.

Prosecutor Cliff Cronk asked jury members if it will bother them seeing a video of a mother of an infant perform sex acts on the child, as well as other pornography videos.

The case has a lengthy history.

Summage initially was arrested on Scott County charges of second-degree sexual abuse, prostitution, sexual exploitation of children, bestiality and child endangerment without injury after a search of an apartment at 1825 W. 40th St. turned up graphic homemade movies in July 2004.

The investigation began after police heard Summage had paid a mentally handicapped man to have sex with a female and videotaped it, according to search warrants filed in Scott County District Court.

Summage’s girlfriend, Melissa Mae Brown, is serving time on state charges in connection with the case and is expected to be released in July 2009.

Police said videotapes made from January 2001 to July 2004 include:

- Brown walking the streets of Davenport as a prostitute and picking up clients before returning to a car to describe the details of the sex acts and to hand money to Summage.

- Summage videotaping Brown during those acts of prostitution while children are in the back seat of the car at night during the winter.

- Summage performing sex acts involving a dog and videotaping Brown as she performs sex acts involving three different dogs.

The Scott County charges against Summage were dropped in lieu of federal prosecution on charges of producing and possessing child pornography. Those charges were filed in 2005.

After a motion to suppress evidence made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Summage then filed a request the case be dismissed because of a violation of the Speedy Trial Act. The 2005 charges were dismissed after a judge ruled a violation took place, but were refiled a few hours later.

The complaint filed in support of the first round of charges says that police seized sexually explicit videos involving prostitution and bestiality, videos that Summage appears to be directing or taping. His voice can be heard on some, and in others, he appears in a mirror holding the camera, officials said.

Furthermore, Brown told authorities that it was Summage’s idea to videotape her performing a sex act on her son and that he was the person who videotaped the act, documents state.

He’s been in custody, on Scott County charges and then federal charges, since December 2004 and remains in custody.

Ann McGlynn can be contacted at (563) 383-2336 or amcglynn@qctimes.com.