Man Uses Library Of Congress To Access Porn, Sentenced To 8-Year Prison Term

While it’s not illegal to watch porn that features adults, when minors are involved, it’s a whole different story. The law aims to protect children  and because of this, child porn crimes are punished harshly. This is especially true when the research is done in a federal institution.

A Maryland man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after using the Library of Congress to access child pornography materials. The 56-year-old man from Mechanicsville worked at the law library, located in Washington, D.C., as a sheet metal mechanic.

Federal prosecutors discovered that the man was accessing the child porn between October 2018 and July 2019. He would use his cellphone and the wireless network at the Library of Congress to access websites with child porn while in his office, in the bathroom, or on break.

The Library of Congress network security operations center had informed investigators about  web traffic associated with the sexual exploitation of children. Capitol Police seized the man’s laptop and cellphone and found hundreds of photos of child porn.

The man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison. Once he is released, he will be placed on 20 years of supervised release. He must also pay $47,000 in restitution to the victims and register as a sex offender for a minimum of 15 years.

What is the Appeal With Child Pornography?

The number of arrests for child porn is growing. Why are people so interested in watching children having sex? Children are supposed to be innocent, so what is the appeal?

While some people have an attraction to children, a lot of people don’t watch child porn for this reason. They see child porn as an escape. They may suffer from depression, loneliness, or anxiety. They may be sexually frustrated. They may be frustrated with real life and therefore use child porn to get out of their own heads due to its shock value.

Also, some people watch child porn because they were sexually abused as a child. As a result, they may associate childhood with sexuality.

It’s also possible that watching child porn allows a person to be someone else. They get to take on a different persona. They may see child porn as a way to identify with their younger selves. Plus, some people struggle with adult intimacy, and children are less threatening than adults, which is why some people may watch child porn instead.

Contact a Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Many people are curious about child porn, but even looking at it can result in serious penalties. Using public Wi-Fi can especially put someone at risk, as law enforcement officials know how to track activity.

If you have been accused of child porn crimes, seek legal help from a Columbia child pornography lawyer from The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. We’ll work hard to get you the best defense possible. Get started with a free consultation. Call (410) 774-5987 or fill out the online form. We have two offices to serve you.

Source:

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