Battling the Beast

By Robert Scofield

: "Battling the Beast" is a book that shares a true story unlike any other. This isn't your typical memoir-it's a raw, unfiltered, and honest account of one man's journey from darkness to light.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Self Publishing
• Release date: Mar 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9781964280189

Book preview

Battling the Beast

Robert Scofield

Copyright © 2024

eBook ISBN: 978-1-964280-18-9

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-964280-19-6

All Rights Reserved. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is strictly prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.

All reasonable attempts have been made to verify the accuracy of the information provided in this publication. Nevertheless, the author assumes no responsibility for any errors and/or omissions.

Dear Detective,

On April 2nd, 2019, you arrested me for a crime most would consider especially heinous–Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. For the longest time, I was SO angry at you for ruining my life. I wanted to harm you–whether it’s psychologically or physically–in the most painful way possible. I have dreamt of different scenarios of how things could have turned out that morning when you came after me. But eventually, I became tired of it. I didn’t like the type of thoughts I was having, so, I began writing in a journal. I wrote down my darkest desires, my nightmares, and every horrible moment I endured in my life, and that was when I discovered my passion–writing.

It wasn’t until my second year in prison that I met an inmate who approached me because I spent a lot of time writing. He was fascinated with the stories–some gruesome and some humorous–I wrote and how I positively expressed my anger and he decided to teach me how to write properly. Apparently, my original writings were full of repetitions, redundancies, and grammatical errors. He also taught me how to write poetry, short stories, and fiction. Six months later, we became close friends.

Writing wasn’t the only thing that he taught me. He also taught me the true meaning of forgiveness and how to let things go. An eye for an eye turns the world blind, he would often remind me when Gandhi. Throughout our one-year friendship, he asked me: You write a lot about torturing and murdering people who either harmed you or ruined your life, but more specifically, the detective who arrested you. Why? Have you ever thought about walking in HIS shoes and try understanding why he arrested you? I shook my head and said no. Then he pointed out that if it weren’t for you, I would have never worked hard to turn my life around and found my passion in writing, therefore, I should be grateful. So I did, and believe me, it took me YEARS to build the courage to reflect and look at things from YOUR perspective.

Forgiving you was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it is something I have to do because perhaps, it will help me forgive myself for the things I have done. All you did was enforce the law and all I did was break them. I realize that now. Who knows what type of person I would’ve become if I was never caught? So, I guess what I’m trying to say is: thank you for saving me. Getting arrested and being sent to prison, was the greatest thing that ever happened to me.

Sincerely,

Robert Scofield

Battling the Beast

For my probation officer, who needs to know more about me, and for society, who needs to feel safe, knowing that I have been released from prison.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: My Family

Chapter Two: My Education

Chapter Three: My Anger

Chapter Four: My Addictions

Chapter Five: How I Got Caught

Chapter Six: Lesson Learned

Chapter Seven: My Advice

Chapter Eight: My Goals

Story Time At Saint Jude

Introduction

Have you ever heard of the phrase: Don’t judge a book by its cover? If so, great. If not, that’s fine. Do you use this principle when meeting people for the first time? I sure hope so. I’ve asked you this because what I’m about to say will blow your fucking mind!

I am a registered sex offender. Judging me yet? Of course you are! I bet you’re thinking: OMG! He’s a pedophile! He’s a rapist! and so on. Which is perfectly understandable. I understand your fear and hatred against sex offenders because I have been in your shoes. I know what it’s like to be overprotective of your loved ones: mother, daughter, sister, and other female relatives. However, the real question is: are you willing to walk in my shoes? Are you willing to understand why I am the way I am? Are you at least curious to know how I got caught and why I did the crime in the first place? Let’s hope so.

In my experience, many people think that there are only two ways to get on the National Sex Offender Registry List (NSORL)-rape and pedophilia. But, believe it or not, there are thousands, and I mean thousands, of ways to get on that list for crimes that don't seem dangerous. You don’t even need a victim to be considered a sex offender. Don’t believe me? Well…hear me out.

On April 2nd, 2019, I was arrested and charged with ten counts of sexual exploitation of a minor class 2 felony in the state of Arizona. Yes, it’s bad, and I agree with you. However, I didn’t commit these crimes. Now, before you accuse me of either lying or being in denial, please allow me to explain the definition of exploitation-that is, according to the law. By then, hopefully, you’ll accept that I’m being truthful.

The Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act of 1977 states: An act concerning the punishment of persons who employ, use, persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual or print medium depicting such conduct, certain activities relating materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors, and the transportation of minors. According to 18 U.S.C. 2251-2253, states: "Any