A 30-year-old Baton Rouge man was sentenced on Wednesday to eight years in federal prison following a guilty plea in a case involving allegations that he distributed child pornography. Prosecutors accused the man of distributing 25 images of child pornography to an undercover special agent with the FBI over the Internet.
The FBI, according to U.S. Attorney Donald J. Cazayoux Jr., traced the source of the pornographic images to an apartment in Baton Rouge that was being rented by the man. He was subsequently charged with distribution of child pornography.
According to court documents, the charge to which the man pleaded guilty alleged the images he unknowingly sent the FBI were visual depictions involving the use of minors engaged in sexually explicit activity. Prosecutors agreed, in exchange for a guilty plead, to drop a second charge alleging that the man possessed additional child pornography when agents searched his apartment.
Pleading guilty to criminal charges isn’t the most glamorous way to end a criminal case. But in some cases, it may be the best possible way to resolve a case. That is especially true if prosecutors agree to dismiss other charges they could choose to pursue.
But pleading guilty isn’t always the best way to resolve a criminal case, even if prosecutors handing out a tasty deal. It is critical for a criminal defendant to carefully consider their rights, the evidence, and the strategy of the case before making the decision to plead guilty. In doing so, it is important to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Source: The Advocate, “BR man gets 8 years in child pornography case,” Bill Lodge, April 4, 2014
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