05 Dec Maryland man accused of child pornography pleads to 2 counts

On behalf of Jack B. Rubin, PA posted in Internet Crimes on Wednesday, December 5, 2012.

Being accused of any type of criminal allegation can be intimidating enough, but facing charges related to child pornography can bring even tougher challenges. The Maryland community at large can give in to emotion and rush to judgment in cases related to children. A Maryland man who was accused of child pornography possession unfortunately found this out firsthand and ultimately chose to plead guilty to two of nine counts brought against him.

Authorities alleged that the man accessed child pornography after conducting a search on a public access computer at a library. Apparently, an anonymous individual complained to police that the man was viewing the images on the computer. Police officials responded to the scene and claimed to witness him looking at ‘suspicious images’ on the public access computer.

At that point, two police officials confronted the man and took possession of his personal items. They thereafter obtained a search warrant which authorized them to seize personal items, which included photos and videos depicting child pornography. The man turned himself in to authorities, and it was ultimately revealed that he had a prior conviction as a sex offender.

Court records showed that the prior conviction stemmed from child abuse and sex abuse allegations. This may have played into the Maryland man’s decision to plead guilty to some of the recent criminal counts once he was accused of child pornography possession. While every defendant is considered innocent until and only if proven guilty in a court of law, each person has the right to negotiate with authorities to reach a plea agreement. Sometimes, defendants decide that plea agreements offer them the most equitable options available to achieve the best possible result under the circumstances.

Source: MyEasternShoreMD.com, “Millington man gets 8-years in child porn case,” Nov. 27, 2012