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Beach couple arrested for child sex crimes

Posted at 5:29 PM, Jun 28, 2013
and last updated 2013-06-30 15:03:14-04

Virginia Beach, Va. - Beach police say 38-year-old Crystal McBride sexually abused 4 under-age boys inside her home off Waverly Drive.

Police say McBride’s boyfriend, 39-year-old James Owens Jr. bought alcohol for the boys who are just 13 to 14 years old.

"Blown away,” says Jon Tari, who knows the couple and lived in down the street. “They seemed like nice people. Shocked."

"I look back now and I’m not surprised,” says Michele Paciello, who used to be friends with McBride. “But I’m still like is this really happening."

Paciello says she did not appreciate how McBride acted around her teenage son.

"I just didn't think it was appropriate for a 30-year-old woman to dress like that and act very flirtatious and going a little overboard sometimes and that's when I kind of eased my way out of the friendship."

Investigators say the abuse happened twice, once in late March and a second time earlier this month.

The boys would come over to visit McBride and drink. The alcohol was provided by Owens, according to police.

It was a parent of one of the boys that reported it and through an investigation, the other three victims were discovered.

McBride faces numerous sexual abuse charges.

"She’s a nice person and I think she's just really looking for attention,” Paciello says. “I think it really revolved around her looking for attention.”

Owens is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Both have been released on bond.