Persons facing prosecution for a sex crime may wonder:
How serious are child porn charges?
In short, child porn charges are extremely serious. They can lead to years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, loss of reputation and difficulty getting employment.
Just ask prominent actor Mark Salling.
From 2009-2015, Salling starred in the award-winning and popular Fox musical-comedy-drama series “Glee.” And now he faces four to seven years in prison for possessing child porn on his computer.
Along with his pending prison sentence, Salling also must pay $50,000 in restitution to each of his sex crime victims who request it. He also must register as a sex offender.
And even after leaving prison, he will have 20 years of supervised release.
Child porn punishments can be harsh
Yes, this all sounds rather harsh for a man never charged with physical sexual contact with a minor. But such is the nature of sexual charges, as former congressman Anthony Weiner also learned recently with a harsh sentence for sexting with a minor.
In fact, Salling’s punishment could have been even worse. He could have faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, based on two counts of child pornography he faced in 2016, to which he pleaded not guilty.
But the actor and his sex crimes attorney gained a lesser sentence by making a plea bargain deal on Oct. 3, 2017 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. That came just two weeks before what would have been his federal felony trial.
Salling wound up pleading guilty to one felony count of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. His actual jail time has yet to be determined but, as noted, it will be four to seven years in prison.
Salling was first arrested for possession of child porn in late 2015 when the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force raided his home and seized his computer after being tipped to the crime by his girlfriend.
He then was charged with receiving and possessing child porn on his laptop and on a USB flash drive.
This recent plea bargain reduced the offense to one charge but still brought a heavy penalty considering that Salling engaged in sexual contact with a minor.
When he finishes his prison sentence, Salling must enter a sex offender treatment program. He also will be banned from coming within 100 feet of parks, schoolyards, public swimming pools, video arcade venues and playgrounds.
In addition, he will be banned from communicating electronically or verbally with anyone under 18 without their parent or guardian being present.
Why hire an experienced child porn criminal defense lawyer?
Clearly, child porn charges are extremely serious, and anyone facing them needs to obtain a skilled and experienced sex crime lawyer to handle their case. Veteran Houston sex crimes lawyer Neal Davis can help.
As an experienced computer crimes attorney, Davis understands that charges of possessing child porn on a computer often involve extreme punishments – even for first-time offenders – and such defendants need a strong legal defense.
Indeed, the Neal Davis Law Firm stands ready to help individuals who have been charged with such sex crimes as:
- Child pornography receiving
- Child pornography distribution/promotion
- Child pornography possession
Contact Neal Davis today and receive a legal review of your case. Then, get the best sex crimes lawyer in Texas. Your future and your freedom may depend on it.
