A 25-year-old man received a suspended sentence for downloading and sharing child abuse images via a messaging app.
The offenses happened between mid-October and early November, involving two iPhones and a desktop. He pleaded guilty right away, but sentencing happened three years later. The prosecutor explained the delay was because the original officer left the job, and it took time to assign a new officer.
His lawyer asked the judge for leniency, citing Sheppard’s early guilty plea and the case delay. Sheppard is truly sorry, his lawyer said, adding that Sheppard hasn’t reoffended since the arrest. Sheppard had no previous convictions.
The judge called the images “child rape” images, clarifying that “child pornography” was incorrect terminology. He noted that many people use the app improperly, sharing illegal content using it. The app can let users contact children, sometimes for sexual activity. The judge spoke directly to Sheppard, stating that Sheppard was using the app and found images of children on Sheppard’s devices.
The children were between four and eleven, and many images were videos too. The judge stressed the images’ horrifying nature, emphasizing Sheppard was sharing them and did more than satisfying himself. The judge accepted Sheppard’s remorse and acknowledged Sheppard moved on.
He sentenced Sheppard to 20 months, which is suspended for two years. He must attend 26 program sessions and needs 10 days of rehabilitation too. Sheppard must register as a sex offender for ten years and will have a prevention order that lasts ten years as well. The court ordered the seizure of his devices.