April 11, 2014 (Press-News.org) The fact that it involved school teachers is probably what made the incidents more newsworthy.
In Houston recently, a former teacher was sentenced in federal district court to 30 years in prison for producing child pornography and ordered to pay restitution to the victims. The investigation was initiated by the Texas Attorney General's Office based on a tip it received. After securing a search warrant, investigators seized a laptop and several external hard drives which contained images of children that appeared to have been taken in a classroom--the defendant's very own classroom as it turned out when he taught kindergarten in at a school in Curacao. Investigators were able to identify and interview the children involved.
Another headline in Houston recently--a 32-year-old elementary school music teacher was arrested and charged with two counts of producing child pornography, also in federal district court. Allegedly, the defendant used Facebook to solicit sexually explicit material from boys and, also allegedly, used the photos from one of the boys to blackmail him into supply additional images. On one hard drive seized by authorities executing a search warrant, over 150 images of different boys were discovered--boys ranging in age from 12 to 17.
The Department of Homeland Security was active in both investigations.
It should be noted that in both of these cases, the individuals were charged with a violation of federal law. Many people believe that charges of child exploitation and child pornography are only violations of Texas criminal law. But federal law can also be implicated.
The federal criminal code makes it a crime for anybody to knowingly mail, transport, or ship, in interstate or international commerce, including the use of a computer, any child pornography. It is also a federal criminal offense to knowingly receive or distribute any child pornography by mail or other means of interstate or international commerce, or to knowingly reproduce such pornography in the same manner, again including by means of a computer. Any violation of these laws carries serious consequences--fine, and imprisonment for not less than five years or more than 20 years. If a person convicted has prior convictions for certain sexually related offenses, the imprisonment increases to a minimum of 15 years to a maximum of 40 years. The penalties hold not only for the actual commission of the crime, but also for the attempt or any conspiracy.
Anyone charged with any crime involving the possession or distribution of child pornography, whether it be under the Texas criminal code or federal law, face serious consequences--consequences that may follow them for the rest of their lives. The immediate representation by an experienced Texas criminal is essential.
Article provided by Law Office of Derek W. Emmons, P.C.
Visit us at www.criminallawyersanantonio.com
Child pornography - making a federal crime out of it
Many people believe that charges of child exploitation and child pornography are only violations of Texas criminal law. But federal law can also be implicated.
2014-04-11
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Learn to co-parent successfully with your ex
2014-04-11
For many couples, coming to the decision to get a divorce can be difficult and filled with emotion. While the decision itself can be complex, what comes next can sometimes create an even bigger challenge.
After you have made the decision to obtain a dissolution from your current spouse, the ensuing months are generally spent negotiating the details of your divorce, including custody and visitation arrangements, alimony and the division of assets.
While it is easy to get bogged down in the details, it is important for parents to maintain focus on their children during ...
Basics of child custody in Texas
2014-04-11
Beginning the process
As with most court proceedings, a suit for child custody begins with a petition. The petition may be filed by any number of people, including parent(s), stepparent(s), grandparent(s), or siblings, although there may be additional requirements for some relatives versus others. In general, the petition should be filed in the county in which the child resides.
The petition must state it is regarding the interests of the child, and include other specifics (including the child's name and birthdate, the name(s) of any parent(s) or guardian(s) involved, ...
Forgiven debt may be taxable by the IRS, unless it fits an exception.
2014-04-11
From credit card debt to student loans, any debt that is forgiven could be taxed by the IRS. The IRS considers forgiven debt a type of income. More specifically, the IRS defines this act as a cancellation of debt. According to the IRS, a cancellation of debt is any money borrowed from a lender which the lender later forgives or cancels. In these cases, the lender is required to file a Form 1099-C with the IRS. This form is also known as the Cancellation of Debt form.
So how do you know which forgiven debts are taxable? The Wall Street Journal addressed this issue, noting ...
New technology designed to combat the dangers of drowsy driving
2014-04-11
Many residents of Bridgeport, Connecticut are aware that drinking and driving is unsafe. However, fewer realize that driving without getting enough sleep is almost equally as dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 2.5 percent of all fatal crashes are due to drowsy driving. But, it is expected that this number is conservative and between 5,000 to 6,000 fatal crashes every year may be caused by fatigued driving.
The scope of the problem
Even if a driver isn't fully asleep behind the wheel, being drowsy affects a driver's ...
The changing face of child custody issues
2014-04-11
Not long along the New Mexico Supreme Court handed down the decision of Chatterjee v. King, a case that reflects the changing nature of the child custody discussion in this country.
The facts
The parties involved were two women who were in a long-term committed relationship. As time went on, they decided to bring a child into that relationship. They turned to a foreign adoption, but the strict laws of that country made it impossible for the women to jointly adopt a child, so the child was legally adopted by K. The child was cared for in their joint home by both women, ...
Traumatic Brain Injuries a Significant Public Health Problem
2014-04-11
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 138 people die every day from injuries associated with brain injury. Around 30 percent of all injury deaths are the result of brain injury.
TBI is caused by a blow or trauma to the head that alters the brain - even for a minute. The blow can penetrate the skull (open head injury) or not (closed head injury). It can happen when the person hits something with his or her head, or something hits the person. In other ...
Dr. Solomon Kamson of Spine Institute Northwest to Speak at World Congress of WFMISS in Istanbul
2014-04-11
Later today, Dr. Solomon Kamson of the Spine Institute Northwest will be presenting research on minimally invasive spine surgery procedures at the 2014 meeting of the World Congress of the World Federation of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (WFMISS). The congress, held in Istanbul, will be held jointly with a meeting of the Turkish organization for minimally invasive spine surgery (TURKMISS) as well as several workshops. Bringing together surgeons and researchers specializing in minimally invasive spine treatments from across the globe, the congress is a prime opportunity ...
Sleep Medicine Doctor Offers Free Evaluation to Michigan Teen After Near-Fatal Drowsy Driving Crash
2014-04-11
Dr. Sangal, of the Sleep & Attention Disorders Institute, is offering a free evaluation to the victim of a near-fatal car crash after an incident of drowsy driving. A Michigan teen was nearly impaled last week after careening off the road when he temporarily fell asleep while driving. This case should serve as a sobering reminder of how sleep disorders can wreak havoc on people's lives, and cause incidents of drowsy driving that can result in accidents and deaths. Awareness for the dangers of driving while sleepy needs to be spread, and Dr. Sangal is at the forefront ...
Margrit Anne Wolff Honored for Entrepreneurial Success
2014-04-11
Margrit Anne Wolff, Managing Director, Owner of Mercury Freight (Pty) Ltd., was recently named a VIP member of Worldwide Branding. This special distinction honors individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to achieving personal and professional success.
Ms. Wolff has 35 years of professional experience, having recently become the managing director and owner of Mercury Freight (Pty) Ltd. Over the years, she has built up a comprehensive skill set that includes sales and networking. On a daily basis, she is responsible for ensuring that company operations run smoothly. ...
Award-winning CEO Intends for Turks and Caicos Providenciales to Become the Go-To Destination for Friendly Resorts in the Caribbean islands
2014-04-11
Nicola Filosa, Chief Financial Officer of Vacations 7 Resorts International, has been recognized by Worldwide Branding for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in hospitality services management.
With more than 30 years of professional experience under his belt, Mr. Filosa shines as a luminary in his field. He specializes in personal interactions, and oversees daily business operations, including marketing, financial forecasting, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, public relations, and vacation rentals and excursions.
Mr. Filosa attributes his ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Survey of 12 European countries reveals the best and worst for smoke-free homes
First new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years
Certain HRT tablets linked to increased heart disease and blood clot risk
Talking therapy and rehabilitation probably improve long covid symptoms, but effects modest
Ban medical research with links to the fossil fuel industry, say experts
Different menopausal hormone treatments pose different risks
Novel CAR T cell therapy obe-cel demonstrates high response rates in adult patients with advanced B-cell ALL
Clinical trial at Emory University reveals twice-yearly injection to be 96% effective in HIV prevention
Discovering the traits of extinct birds
Are health care disparities tied to worse outcomes for kids with MS?
For those with CTE, family history of mental illness tied to aggression in middle age
The sound of traffic increases stress and anxiety
Global food yields have grown steadily during last six decades
Children who grow up with pets or on farms may develop allergies at lower rates because their gut microbiome develops with more anaerobic commensals, per fecal analysis in small cohort study
North American Early Paleoindians almost 13,000 years ago used the bones of canids, felids, and hares to create needles in modern-day Wyoming, potentially to make the tailored fur garments which enabl
Higher levels of democracy and lower levels of corruption are associated with more doctors, independent of healthcare spending, per cross-sectional study of 134 countries
In major materials breakthrough, UVA team solves a nearly 200-year-old challenge in polymers
Wyoming research shows early North Americans made needles from fur-bearers
Preclinical tests show mRNA-based treatments effective for blinding condition
Velcro DNA helps build nanorobotic Meccano
Oceans emit sulfur and cool the climate more than previously thought
Nanorobot hand made of DNA grabs viruses for diagnostics and blocks cell entry
Rare, mysterious brain malformations in children linked to protein misfolding, study finds
Newly designed nanomaterial shows promise as antimicrobial agent
Scientists glue two proteins together, driving cancer cells to self-destruct
Intervention improves the healthcare response to domestic violence in low- and middle-income countries
State-wide center for quantum science: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology joins IQST as a new partner
Cellular traffic congestion in chronic diseases suggests new therapeutic targets
Cervical cancer mortality among US women younger than age 25
Fossil dung reveals clues to dinosaur success story
[Press-News.org] Child pornography - making a federal crime out of itMany people believe that charges of child exploitation and child pornography are only violations of Texas criminal law. But federal law can also be implicated.