When you’re charged with a crime, it’s important that you know that you have rights. You have a right to defend yourself and to have a lawyer present before you say anything to police. In a case where child pornography is involved, you may want to be sure that all the correct procedures are followed, because an incorrect allegation could cost you your job, cause problems with family or create a rift with friends.
In a case from April 21, an Air Force officer allegedly pleaded guilty to charges of child pornography. According to the news, the 44-year-old officer from Lusby, Maryland, is a non-commissioned officer at the Andrews Air Force Base. He admitted to the crimes as part of a plea agreement, according to the article.
The Maryland-based officer had allegedly chatted online with an undercover officer on a website that was known to be dedicated to incest. Through that site, the police allegedly discovered that the man was interested in children. According to the prosecutors, the man was in possession of sexually explicit images of children, and he also allegedly had videos of children.
The officer was charged with six counts of sexually exploiting a minor to produce child pornography, according to the news. His case was brought up in the federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, but it did not discuss how exactly he obtained the alleged images.
At sentencing, this Air Force officer will face at least 15 years in prison. In Maryland, the minimum mandatory sentence is 15 years in prison, so he could also face a longer prison sentence if the court deems it appropriate. The sentence may seem extreme, and when a minimum mandatory sentence is involved, it sometimes is unfair. If you find yourself in a situation like this one, discussing your case may help you find a solution to your legal issues.
Source: CBS DC, “Air Force Officer From Md. Pleads Guilty To Child Porn” No author given, Apr. 21, 2014
