We have learned that a former school employee has been charged with possessing more than 600 images of child pornography. The man was arrested recently, but law enforcement has been building their case for months.
A tip from Google.
According to the Contra Costa district attorney’s office, “The tip from Google revealed that a user was storing files that contained possible images of child pornography.”
At Okabe & Haushalter, we understand that the state takes cases like this seriously, but we also need to put out a stern reminder – everyone is innocent until proven guilty. In a moment, we will get into this case a bit as well as the penalties for a guilty conviction. If you need a San Francisco child pornography defense attorney, we are ready to step in and help.
Have you ever heard of Google turning over someone’s search history without being prompted? That is apparently what happened here. The story says the DA’s office began based on a tip from Google because they say someone was storing what was “possibly” illegal child pornography.
There is so much going on here that needs clarification. We have all heard of the government obtaining warrants and going to Google to obtain information about someone, and even then, the company does not always comply.
We fully expect that this will be the main part of the accused man’s defense against these charges. Was this an illegal search and seizure?
In California, the penalties for a guilty conviction on child pornography charges are harsh. Not only can a person find themselves serving years in prison for each image, but they also face life-long consequences. They will be forced to register as a sex offender, something that will follow them wherever they go.
Child pornography charges can also rise to the federal level, which means a person can encounter mandatory time for each charge.
It needs to be noted that there are not many alleged crimes a person can face that can ruin a person’s reputation whether they are found guilty or not. Child pornography charges are one of them, which is why it is so important to start fighting back and defending yourself as soon as you are charged.
If you or someone you know is facing similar charges, you need to secure a qualified and experienced attorney and you need to do it quickly. From the moment you were arrested, the case is not in your favor. That is just the reality of these charges. However, at Okabe & Haushalter, we have a proven track record of defending clients in similar situations. Our goal is to ensure that you are treated fairly and in a way that is consistent with the ideals of our justice system. When you need a San Francisco child pornography defense attorney, you can contact us today by clicking here or calling 310-430-7799 for a free consultation.
