Access to the Internet can be found nearly everywhere an individual goes. The Internet makes searches for destinations, restaurants and shopping easy. However, Internet use can also lead to decisions that may change a person’s life forever. With greater use and accessibility. also comes the increase of potential internet-related offenses. Recently, a man was charged with offenses related to the possession of child pornography.
According to the office of the U.S. attorney located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a man has been arrested and charged with producing and possessing child pornography. The man is formerly from Waukesha and is registered on the state’s sex offender registry for a previous criminal conviction involving second-degree sexual assault. Police say that the man produced child pornography in 2009 and 2011 and was in possession of child pornography in 2012. If the man is convicted of the offenses, he faces more than 20 years in prison for the alleged production of child pornography and more than 10 years for his alleged possession of child pornography. The maximum sentence the man faces is life in prison.
An individual convicted of an Internet sex offense may face the same penalties as a person convicted of a non-Internet related sex offense. One of these possible penalties is placement on the Wisconsin sex offender registry. The registry lists private information of defendants convicted of sexual offenses. Generally, individuals are required to be on the registry for 15 years, but if individuals have multiple offenses, they may be required to be on the registry for the rest of their lives.
The general public may access the registry, which may make it difficult for an individual convicted of a sexual offense to find employment and residency. Because of these serious penalties, it is important that all defendants receive a fair trial and their constitutional rights.
Source: Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, “Former Waukesha man indicted on child porn charges,” John Diedrich, Feb. 5, 2013