If you or someone you care about has been charged with possessing or distributing child pornography, please seek legal assistance today. These charges are serious, and you will need a skilled legal team to help you through this. At Okabe & Haushalter, we are ready to get to work on your behalf. We know these charges are not always what they seem. Today, our Los Angeles child pornography defense attorneys are going to discuss a recent news story to show some of the complications that can arise in these cases.
Earlier this year, California officials requested a warrant for Nebraska running back Maurice Washington for charges related to felony distribution of child pornography.
The request comes from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. They have accused him of felony possession of material (photo or video) involving someone under the age of 18 engaging in or simulating sexual conduct. Washington has also been charged with sharing the material without the person’s permission and with the potential to cause emotional distress.
These charges arose when Washington sent a video to his former girlfriend showing her engaged in sexual activity with two 17-year-old boys. She was 15-years-old at the time of the incident, which happened in 2016.
Washington’s attorneys said that Washington did not participate in or record the alleged incident.
We have now learned that Washington will have a hearing in California on October 17, 2019, regarding two charges, one of them a felony charge.
He has been allowed to play football in Nebraska while the case is ongoing, and the team said it will withhold any disciplinary decisions until the case is adjudicated in California.
Cases concerning child pornography can become complicated. This video was taken in 2016 when everyone involved was under the age of consent in California. Nobody in the sexual acts depicted as adults at the time. However, recording these incidents, even if a minor is recording themselves with another minor, could certainly be considered the production of child pornography. Further complicating the issue is Washington keeping and sending a video depicting minors in sexual acts to an adult when he himself is now an adult.
We do not yet know the outcome of this case, but a guilty verdict could require Washington to spend time in prison and require him to register as a sex offender in California.
If you or someone you love has been charged with or is under investigation for possessing child pornography, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. You need skilled and vigorous representation when facing these charges. At Okabe & Haushalter, we have the extensive experience necessary to thoroughly investigate the charges against you. Our goal is to build a strong defense on your behalf as we work to get the charges reduced or dismissed altogether. When you need a Los Angeles child pornography defense attorney, you can contact us today by clicking here or calling 310-543-7708 for a free consultation.
