Prominent Ashlander investigated for child porn

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Left: James Auchincloss. Right: Young James Auchincloss with then Senator Kennedy and sister Jackie.

(Updated, 1:54 p.m.) Last October police found what they describe as graphic child pornography at the home of Ashland resident James Auchincloss, half-brother to the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Police believe the photos of naked or partially clothed prepubescent boys are evidence that Auchincloss, 62, may have committed two felonies by “encouraging child sexual abuse,” according to police statements in search warrant papers obtained by the Ashland Daily Tidings.

Police also searched the home of Eagle Point resident Dennis Vickoren, described as a friend of Auchincloss, and believe the 57-year-old committed the same crimes, according to the search warrant documents.

The police investigation is ongoing and neither man has been charged. Despite evidence that the men also have taken photographs of clothed children locally, police say the case has not been given a high priority because they believe there is no immediate threat.

In an Oct. 17, 2008 affidavit for a search warrant, Detective Arthur LeCours with the Ashland Police Department said he found photographs in booklets and on carousel slides of naked 7- to 16-year-old boys in sexual poses at Auchincloss’ home and had probable cause to believe that the Ashland man was encouraging child sexual abuse in the first, second and third degrees.

In addition, two Ashland residents, Eddy McManus and Karl Iverson, told the Daily Tidings that they saw Auchincloss and Vickoren viewing child porn on a computer in Auchincloss’ home in the 700 block of Benjamin Court last summer.

Auchincloss, who has lived in Ashland since 1995 and serves on the board of Oregon Stage Works, declined to comment on what police found at his home, saying that it was “a matter for the courts,” but that he hasn’t harmed anyone.

Auchincloss also said he believes McManus, his former personal assistant, had an ulterior motive in telling police he had child pornography because Auchincloss had accused McManus of stealing $18,000 from him. McManus, a 44-year-old Ashland artist and Southern Oregon University student, denied stealing money from his former employer and said he told police about the pornography because he felt it was the ethical thing to do.

Vickoren, a Rogue Valley Transportation District bus driver who also produces and directs “Wilde Life,” a show about gay issues on Rogue Valley Community Television, did not return messages seeking comment.

Since October, Ashland police detectives have been waiting for the Southern Oregon High-Tech Crimes Task Force, a division of the Central Point Police Department, to analyze and return computers and other electronic equipment they seized at the homes of both Auchincloss and Vickoren, said Ashland Police Chief Terry Holderness.

He also said the Ashland Police Department “stand(s) by what’s in the affidavits of the search warrants,” documents obtained by the Daily Tidings.

Auchincloss said Monday that he was still waiting to find out what exactly police had found at his home and among his belongings at the airport. When asked whether he thought he had done anything wrong, Auchincloss said, “I don’t think I’ve done something that harmed anybody and that would harm anyone. I don’t think I’m that type of person.”

He also said that McManus had the opportunity to place porn on his computers.

McManus adamantly denies putting child pornography on Auchincloss’ computer.

Additionally Auchincloss said he believes because he is a member of a prominent family, he has been singled out unfairly. Auchincloss and Onassis shared the same mother, so his half-niece is Caroline Kennedy, who recently drew headlines as she considered seeking the New York Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton. She eventually withdrew her name from consideration.

— Ashland Daily Tidings

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