When someone is accused of a crime relating to sexual assault, it is an extremely serious matter. Those convicted of sex crimes in Florida may face prison time, significant fines and be placed on the sex offender registry, which can inhibit a person’s ability to get a job. It is crucial that those facing these kinds of accusations have a thorough defense in court. This can be seen in the case of a former University of Florida student who recently pleaded guilty to distributing a child sex video.
The 22-year-old man is alleged to have sent a video that depicted sexual abuse of a baby to an online group he frequented. Authorities say that the man participated in online chats in a public chat group where he discussed trading child pornography with other users. After the man allegedly sent the video at the center of the case, authorities obtained a warrant to search his home. They claim that the man had almost 3,000 images of child sex abuse on his cellphone.
Though the man hasn’t yet been sentenced, authorities say that he could be facing up to 20 years in federal prison. He could also be given supervised release for the remainder of his life. The case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative that is intended to fight child sex abuse.
The minimum sentence this man could receive is five years in prison. This shows exactly why is it so vital that a person who is accused of sex crimes here in Florida gets to have his or her day in court. An attorney who is an experienced criminal defender can give an accused person the best chance at obtaining fair treatment from the legal system and facilitate the best possible outcome.