ALPENA — Sexual predators who target children intentionally set the scene for their crime, winning the trust of both the victim and the community, an FBI agent said in court Friday.

Testifying via telephone in a hearing related to the trial of former Alpena Public Schools teacher Heather Winfield, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Alicia McShane described techniques often used by people who sexually abuse children. The hearing was scheduled to determine whether McShane will be allowed to testify as an expert witness at Winfield’s upcoming jury trial.

Winfield is accused of having sex with a student. The News does not name alleged victims of sexual assault.

Her trial, moved this week from its original starting date of Sept. 27, will now begin on Jan. 20 and is expected to last seven days.

In testimony given in February, the alleged victim claimed Winfield had given him gifts and included him on family outings before developing a sexual relationship with him.

The defense contends Winfield used gifts and included the alleged victim in family outings to help a child with a troubled past.

McShane, who has no previous knowledge of Winfield’s case and spoke of offenders in general and not Winfield in particular, on Friday said offenders often target a child with a need they can meet, such as time, affection, or gifts. Once an offender has built the child’s trust, he or she will explore types of touch and introduce sexual elements into the relationship.

Grooming techniques are also used on the community, the FBI agent testified. A sexual predator intentionally connects with adults surrounding the child, building their trust by “putting on an exoskeleton of goodness.”

The offender will often go out of his or her way to be helpful and will appear to others as charismatic leaders in their community, above reproach.

Offenders are often married or have an adult significant other and will maintain the appearance of propriety and stability, McShane said.

Internet technology is used by offenders as an “electronic leash,” McShane said, allowing them to send explicit photos and share sexual content at any time without the knowledge of the child’s adult caregiver. The electronic communication, a familiar format to most young people, allows the offender to start and maintain the topic of sex in a venue not as alarming to children, especially those who are older.

Force or violence is not necessary for a child to be victimized, McShane said. In fact, the child often feels they are part of a true and loving relationship.

It is not unusual for the child to deny that abuse has happened, as Winfield’s accuser initially did, McShane said.

Offenders don’t always need secrecy for their actions, the agent said. She referenced the recent high-profile cases of Larry Nassar, the former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics physician who sexually abused many young women under the guise of medical treatment, sometimes while their parents were present, and Jerry Sandusky, a former college football coach who was convicted of child sexual abuse in 2012, who molested boys in a shower room with other boys present.

It is not unusual for offenders to engage in sexual conduct with a child when other adults are in the same house, same room, or same bed, McShane said.

Winfield’s accuser has claimed to have had sexual contact with the teacher in the presence of others.

On cross examination by defense attorney Dan White, McShane conceded some actions that may signify grooming may also be used by adults who care about a child in a non-threatening way. People can also be trusted pillars of their community and not be sexual predators, and not every child tells the truth, she also agreed.

White drew attention to the FBI agent’s lack of experience as an expert witness and small number of forensic interviews she has conducted in recent years. The information to which McShane testified was based on her personal experience and training as an interviewer and investigator, not on scientifically supported publications, McShane acknowledged.

Attorneys have 21 days to submit written statements regarding McShane’s testimony, explaining its relevance to Winfield’s case or arguing why it should not be admitted. After reviewing the statements, Judge Michael Mack of the 26th Circuit Court will make a determination whether McShane may be used as a witness for the prosecution.

Following the testimony of McShane, White referenced a motion filed Thursday that the bond conditions for Winfield be broadened to allow her to attend family gatherings where children are present, pick her children up from school, and attend her children’s extra-curricular activities.

Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski countered that the current conditions, which already allow for a weekly Sunday family dinner at which nieces and nephews may be present, are no more or less restrictive than those of any other defendant in her situation.

The attorneys were asked to converse about a potential agreed-upon change of conditions before re-approaching the judge for a decision at a later date.

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693, jriddle@thealpenanews.com or on Twitter @jriddleX.