A person accused or convicted of a sex-related crime faces life-altering challenges. In Wisconsin, and throughout the nation, there are serious penalties for possession of child pornography. A person who is convicted of a sex offense may suffer consequences, including bans from communities and prejudice from co-workers and neighbors. If a coach or a teacher is accused of a sex-related offense, their reputation may forever be tarnished. A coach in a nearby state could face these consequences after being charged with two counts of child sex-related offenses.
Minnesota police say that a head football coach of a Minnesota university was charged with possession of child pornography and using minors in a sexual performance or pornographic work. Each of these charges is classified as felony offenses. According to police, a university official found videos of children on the coach’s university-issued cell phone after the coach complained that the cell phone was not working.
The children in the videos are reported to be the coach’s own children. The man’s attorney says these videos captured “private family moments,” and that the videos were not “graphic, abusive or exploitive.”
Those facing child pornography charges have several defenses that may apply to their case, including an illegal search and seizure. If police have used illegal means to search for evidence, the evidence may not be used against them.
People accused or charged with such serious criminal charges as possession of child pornography are often presumed guilty by the media and the public. Since the penalties associated with sex-related crimes are severe, it is important to remember that all people are presumed innocent and deserve a fair trial.
Source: USA Today, “Minn. St. Mankato football coach faces porn case,” Aug. 23, 2012