Hi Beth,
How can I find out about a new law about distribution? My brother was sentenced to 11 1/4 yrs. He took a plea deal advised by his lawyer. My brother is guilty of looking at cp, but never distributed it. He had something called p2p on his computer. They used that to convict him. There is a new law that starts in Nov,2016 for those convicted of distribution. How do I find it?

Interesting opinion. I would like to ask the question then? Where does it become abusing a child? when viewing pornagraphic images of children you have downloaded and viewing over a period of time? Which must be wrong?

The argument is, looking at underage (under 18) pics is harmful and can facilitate abuse. If that’s true, why allow violent images online? Why can you watch videos of war atrocities? Couldn’t the same argument be made in both cases?

The problem is this is a win-win for politicians and for-profit prisons, and a huge loss for common sense (as well as a very real physical/emotional loss for people prosecuted). No politician has ever lost any election for being too tough on c*p*, and putting more people in jail than another other country is good for the for-profit prison system in the U.S.

Now, I ask, why not block those sites if they are convinced simply viewing images is harmful in and of itself? Don’t believe for one second they can’t, they could easily, the only issue would then be file sharing sites. Which would be the only sites you’d have to avoid. Why don’t they, simple, it again goes back to the for-profit prisons. Don’t kid yourself, that’s exactly why, and politicians who love easy targets to make themselves look like heroes.

I know my comments can easily be dismissed… Except the facts are on my side, if you are just willing to look. We allow 16 year olds in many states to get married (this may come as shock but that means they have sex, I know shocking right), some states even lower the age with parental consent. Tell me how a picture is wrong, but early marriage and sex in those situations is perfectly okay? Simple, it’s not, it only is cause “they” say so.

Still not convinced, why does Sally Mann, Jock Sturges and David Hamilton all have such huge success. Why are their images sold legally on Amazon or at your local book store, yet, if you search similar images the government kicks in your door? Again the answer is simple, you (i.e., any average person) likely doesn’t have the financial means to fight them, whereas, they have deep pockets.

Let’s not stay silent, fight back, abuse should be prosecuted, looking at images found widely available online isn’t abuse (don’t allow others to conflate the issue). How would you like the thought police to arrest you for what you watch on TV? Oops, you clicked on and downloaded the wrong TV show, now you go to jail, and your life is ruined.

Don’t kid yourself, the internet is what TV was 20 years ago to everyone that surfs the web. Stand up, fight back, write congress, write the senate, start petitions… it’s not a popular subject, don’t let others intimidate you, remember nudists view nudity for what it really is, nothing more than a human body. It’s our thoughts that they object to, not our actions, because they are simply coming after us for viewing.

Also, it’s easy to see why so many don’t fight back, fear of being ostracized by the abstinence only and purity ball movement crowd is very real. Enough already, don’t be afraid anymore, fight back to change the laws! Sexting between teens and simply viewing images (any image) shouldn’t ever be illegal!

Hi, Mrs, Bowman. Please email me. I can’t believe the unbelievable stuff that is involved in these charges.
I’m afraid to as my family falls apart. I have no one to discuss these issues with. I’m the wife of a man charged with similar things. What state are you in? Thank you. Lynn

This is not the original commenter.

But what do you think about ‘attempt’? I’ve heard it’s illegal to attempt to download CP, and heard an example of it involving the FBI giving links to a fake CP site. Would searching that stuff it’s self count as ‘attempt’ or does it require things like knowledge, or something else, etc.?

The same thing is happening to my family right this very moment in time. I’m so scared. My husband is on house arrest at his dads right. We are doing everything we can to price his innocence but it almost seems impossible to do. If you have any suggestions please contact me. My whole world has fallen apart. Our kids are suffering and that’s the worst of it all is watching them go thru this and not knowing of they will ever see their daddy again. We also have a grandbaby on the way. Thank you for sharing your story.

Don’t worry…he will probably go to a facility where there is 50% so inmates.Just tell him to keep quiet..no gambling.Chabad rabbis come in ..they helped me through 7 years in Attica.Shalom

David,
I am sorry that your having to deal with such a long and painful process, this is a new epidemic and I believe laws will change as more and more people struggle with it, our son is in year 1 of a 30 year sentence for cp, shared online with agents and provided password to the agents, thats 15 trafficking and 15 distribution , he will face lifetime registry and lifetime parole if he makes it out , things have to change and I hope we can all unite and be the push to get things done

ksmith, we are in year 1 of a 30 year sentence , my son is 25 years old, so far he is alive and working, how is your dad doing?