Former Virginia County Republican Committee Chairman Charged With Child Pornography
Recently, Charles K. Young, a former James City County Republican Committee chairman, was arrested on child pornography charges. The prosecution alleges that Young received seven photos and three videos that depict sexually explicit conduct of boys under the age of 18. Child pornography is a serious crime in the United States and is one of many federal crimes. If you are charged with child pornography or another federal crime, it is crucial that you contact a knowledgeable federal crimes attorney as soon as possible. Federal crimes generally come with much harsher penalties than state crimes and thus require attorneys that are especially competent in this area.
Young’s Charges
Young was charged with 10 felony counts of receiving child pornography and court records allege that Young received these images knowingly. He also had to give police his laptop, SD cards, tablets, and cell phones so they could continue to investigate the charges. He was arrested at his home by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Child Pornography
Child pornography is defined as any “visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor”. A minor is defined as anyone under the age of 18. The visual depictions do not need to be of sexual activity to be considered child pornography; it includes any sexually suggestive material. It is irrelevant what the actual age of consent is in a given state. It is also illegal to produce or distribute child pornography.
Child pornography is a very serious crime that comes with severe penalties. Possession of child pornography can come with a penalty of up to 10 years in prison for a first offender. Violations of this law can also come with up to 20 years in prison if the depictions involved someone under the age of 12. If someone has already been convicted of child pornography or other sex crimes related to children in the past then they face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison.
Federal Crimes
Child pornography that involves the internet is a federal crime and therefore can be prosecuted in the federal criminal justice system. There may also be state charges as well as federal charges. Federal crimes differ from state crimes in that they are prosecuted by the government of the United States rather than the state in which the crime occurred. Federal crimes generally come with harsher penalties. Federal crimes also can involve federal agencies, such as the FBI, as in Young’s case. The FBI and other federal agencies are able to investigate crimes more thoroughly than many local police departments because they have more resources at their disposal.
Contact Us for Professional Help
Federal crimes come with serious charges that can have a lifelong impact on your life and career. If you are charged or are being investigated for a federal crime, you should contact skilled federal crimes attorneys as soon as possible. Our experienced federal crimes attorneys at Simms Showers, LLP in Leesburg, Virginia, can help defend you against all your federal and state charges.
Resources:
vagazette.com/news/va-vg-james-city-county-man-charged-with-child-pornography-20161117-story.html
justice.gov/criminal-ceos/citizens-guide-us-federal-law-child-pornography
