Teachers, coaches and others who work with children are often held to higher standards than other people and professions. It can be devastating for parents, students and others in the community to learn that a sports coach is engaging in child porn.
This was recently the case in Maryland. A 2017 investigation has led to the arrest of a wrestling coach. The 28-year-old man from North Potomac faces multiple charges of child porn possession.
The former volunteer wrestling coach from Quince Orchard High School was first investigated by police two years. Law enforcement officials found a package at JFK Airport in New York. It was addressed to the man and contained 24.5 grams of MDMA, the illegal drug.
On October 19, 2017, police officers came to the coach’s home in Gaithersburg. The man invited police in his home, where they found more MDMA. Police were issued a search warrant and they came back to the home later that day. There, they seized four thumb drives, three external hard drives, a phone and a laptop.
Investigators located found more than a thousand files containing child pornography. Some photos featured young girls. The man was arrested on child pornography charges on September 16. He faces 10 charges of child pornography possession. He is currently out on bond.
The man served as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at Quince Orchard High School from 2015-2018. Parents received a letter from the school after the man’s arrest. The school was just made aware of the arrest. It does not appear as though the child porn charges are related to the man’s coaching position, so it is unlikely that any students were victims.
The man was recently inducted into the Quince Orchard athletic hall of fame. However, in lieu of his arrest, his name has since been removed from the website.
A person who is in possession of child porn featuring children under the age of 16 can face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. Producing or distributing child porn comes with more serious penalties. This involves creating films and images with children sexually explicit poses. Transmitting these images via email, text or other electronic means is considered distribution. Punishment may include up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $25,000.
A person can face even stiffer penalties if aggravating circumstances are involved. They include kidnapping, sexual abuse, violent or sadistic images and prior convictions. A person can face 20 or more years in prison.
Child porn charges are a serious matter. A person convicted of such a crime can face various hardships such as a criminal record, loss of employment opportunities and difficulty finding housing.
You could face both state and federal charges. Get aggressive representation from the Columbia criminal attorneys at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. We can help reduce your charges so you achieve a favorable outcome. To schedule a free consultation, fill out the online form or call (410) 774-5987.
Resource:
nbcwashington.com/news/local/Maryland-Wrestling-Coach-Arrested-Child-Porn-Dake-Williams-Quince-Orchard-560658691.html
https://www.marylandlawhelp.com/drug-crackdown-in-baltimore-nets-1-million-cash-51-guns/
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