Internet sex crimes involving child pornography in Waukesha and throughout Wisconsin are often a cause for concern with law enforcement officials. Unbeknownst to some people, an individual can be charged and convicted of a crime for a single instance of downloading the offending material. The accused person may not have ever contacted or even attempted to contact a minor.
A 19-year-old male is facing life in prison for the possession of child pornography. On the tail end of his teenage years, he is accused of downloading the objectionable material. Waukesha police executed a search warrant on October 27, 2010, after preliminary investigations suspected that the young man had been downloading child pornography files.
The young man acknowledged that he had viewed the files. He further states that he was curious because, “he did not believe the titles of the videos.” According to the defendant, the files did not provide a preview image – so, he downloaded them to see what they contained. However, he asserted that he does not touch children and the videos themselves made him sick.
His next court appearance is on October 17.
In the meantime, under the provisions of his modified bail, he has been given limited permission to use the Internet under direct supervision. The purpose of allowing his Internet usage is so he can submit job applications to employers. The individual responsible for supervising his activity will be charged with the task of filling out application forms for him.
This young man will need a strong criminal defense. Life imprisonment for a 19-year-old is a life lost. When it comes to cases connected with such dire circumstances, it is important that the criminal justice system slows down to take all of the evidence into consideration. A Waukesha County attorney with a background in defending individuals charged with Internet sex crimes may offer some understanding and support to someone trying to prove their innocence in the wake of harsh allegations.
Source: Waukesha Patch, “Judge Modifies Bail for Waukesha Man Charged with Child Porn,” Sarah Millard, Aug. 15, 2011