# 15-year-old girl prosecuted for child porn **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 5, 2004, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386 "2004-04-05T17:02:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/1 "2004-04-05T17:02:33Z")
[**Here.**](http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/36804.html) [quote] \*\*A 15 year-old American girl has been charged with child pornography offences after posting pictures of herself online. \ The teenager has been charged with the possession and distribution of child pornography as well as the sexual abuse of children.\*\* Words fucking fail. ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/2 "2004-04-05T17:03:49Z")
If a mod would fix that coding I would be very grateful. That is what comes of tying when really, really mad and apalled. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/3 "2004-04-05T17:08:29Z")
I think I know the answer, but I’ll ask the question anyway. Why exactly does this make you so angry? ---
**Author:** ![heresiarch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/4 "2004-04-05T17:13:04Z")
Are you mad because of what she did, or because you don’t think she should have been charged with anything? > [@The Register article](#): > > The teenager has been charged with the possession and distribution of child pornography as well as the sexual abuse of children. Personally, I don’t think the charge of sexual abuse of child is pretty stupid, but I don’t see a problem with charging her with distributing child pornography. ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/5 "2004-04-05T17:14:27Z")
What is more likely: 1. The “forced” some “unwanted” pics of herself on a load of innocent, angel-faced 12-year-old boys? 2. Some sleazy shits, most probably Studabaker-types in their 30s/40s/50s, won her confidence, probably lied about their ages to her, encouraged and groomed her to take those pics in the first place? How the fuck does proscuting the VICTIM of fucking child abuse help catch murdering, raping, child-molesting, PAEDOPHILES? ---
**Author:** ![heresiarch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/6 "2004-04-05T17:15:03Z")
Rats! Please disregard that first “don’t”. It should read: Personally, I think the charge of sexual abuse of child is pretty stupid, but I don’t see a problem with charging her with distributing child pornography. ---
**Author:** ![dublos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f08c70/32.png) [@dublos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dublos)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/7 "2004-04-05T18:44:55Z")
I’m having a little trouble with this myself. She is by law a child. Therefore naked/sexual pictures of her are child pornography… I’m understand this so far. She took them herself and posted them on the internet/sent them to people from chat rooms. That’s distribution of child pornography alright, and she is a child, i.e. of a protected class that child pornography laws were enacted to protect. I’m hoping they are charging her with these things in order to learn why she’s doing this since it seems more of a cry for help than a 15 year old trying to get a jump start a _lucrative_ porn career. (Italicized for the sarcasm impared) If on the other hand they are doing this to make an example of her and hope this prevents other 15 year old from doing the same thing then I think it’s a sad day for the american justice system. I’d certainly like to know if her parents are being charged with anything… unfortunately simply being an inattentive/bad parent isn’t in and of itself illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/8 "2004-04-05T18:46:44Z")
Seems like you’re reading an awful lot into 8 1/2 column lines. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/9 "2004-04-05T18:49:53Z")
> [@dublos](#): > > I’m having a little trouble with this myself. > > She is by law a child. Therefore naked/sexual pictures of her are child pornography… I’m understand this so far. > > She took them herself and posted them on the internet/sent them to people from chat rooms. > > That’s distribution of child pornography alright, and she is a child, i.e. of a protected class that child pornography laws were enacted to protect. > > I’m hoping they are charging her with these things in order to learn why she’s doing this since it seems more of a cry for help than a 15 year old trying to get a jump start a _lucrative_ porn career. (Italicized for the sarcasm impared) > > If on the other hand they are doing this to make an example of her and hope this prevents other 15 year old from doing the same thing then I think it’s a sad day for the american justice system. These are my logical questions/feelings on the matter. WTF is going on here? Sam ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_With_The_Golden_Gun)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/10 "2004-04-05T19:02:09Z")
Not to suggest anything about myself, but if this case holds, I’m probably going to be in deep shit. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/11 "2004-04-05T19:28:17Z")
Sounds pretty over the top to me. As if an overzealous DA wanted to prosecute any scum-sucking middle-aged male prevert he could find, regardless of the sicko’s age and/or gender. This, of course, based on a small article that lacks any sort of detail. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/12 "2004-04-05T19:31:08Z")
I guess I should turn myself in for what I did when I was 16. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/13 "2004-04-05T19:36:19Z")
Well, I hate to be a spoilsport, but waiting for some actual _facts_ couldn’t hurt. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/14 "2004-04-05T19:37:12Z")
[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Mar 27: Police said the girl was charged with possession and dissemination of child pornography.](http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_186625.html) [WPXI Pittsburgh, (radio? TV?), Mar 27: The girl is charged with possession and dissemination of child pornography.](http://www.wpxi.com/news/2954803/detail.html) [USA Today, Mar 29: She has been charged with sexual abuse of children, possession of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography.](http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2004-03-29-child-self-porn_x.htm) [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Apr 05: She has been charged with sexual abuse of children, possession of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography.](http://www.post-gazette.com/breaking/20040329pornp6.asp) It seems the later the story, the greater the charges against her. More information? More charges by prosecutor? More rumors? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/15 "2004-04-05T19:45:17Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > It seems the later the story, the greater the charges against her. More information? More charges by prosecutor? More rumors? The child sexual abuse charges came after they noticed she was touching herself in some of the photos, obviously. That’s logical, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/16 "2004-04-05T19:49:57Z")
> [@](#): > > Some sleazy shits, most probably Studabaker-types in their 30s/40s/50s . . . What’s a _Studebaker-type_? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/17 "2004-04-05T19:52:28Z")
From the PA [statutes](http://members.aol.com/StatutesP5/18PA6312.html): > [@](#): > > § 6312. Sexual abuse of children. > (a) Definition.–As used in this section, “prohibited sexual act” means sexual intercourse as defined in section 3101 (relating to definitions), masturbation, sadism, masochism, bestiality, fellatio, cunnilingus, lewd exhibition of the genitals or nudity if such nudity is depicted for the purpose of sexual stimulation or gratification of any person who might view such depiction. > > (b) Photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer or filming sexual acts.–Any person who causes or knowingly permits a child under the age of 18 years to engage in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such act is guilty of a felony of the second degree if such person knows, has reason to know or intends that such act may be photographed, videotaped, depicted on computer or filmed. Any person who knowingly photographs, videotapes, depicts on computer or films a child under the age of 18 years engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act is guilty of a felony of the second degree. > > © Dissemination of photographs, videotapes, computer depictions and films.–Any person who knowingly sells, distributes, delivers, disseminates, transfers, displays or exhibits to others, or who possesses for the purpose of sale, distribution, delivery, dissemination, transfer, display or exhibition to others, any book, magazine, pamphlet, slide, photograph, film, videotape, computer depiction or other material depicting a child under the age of 18 years engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such act is guilty of a felony of the third degree. > > (d) Possession of child pornography.–Any person who knowingly possesses or controls any book, magazine, pamphlet, slide, photograph, film, videotape, computer depiction or other material depicting a child under the age of 18 years engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such act is guilty of a felony of the third degree. There does not appear to be a loophole allowing minors to possess naked pictures of themselves, thus the minor in question can legitimately be charged with sexual abuse of a child. > [@](#): > > How the fuck does proscuting the VICTIM of fucking child abuse help catch murdering, raping, child-molesting, PAEDOPHILES? Man, I really hope it turns out this girl did this all of her own free will. If for no oher reason than to metaphorically shove this shit directly down your throat. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/18 "2004-04-05T19:56:38Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > What’s a _Studebaker-type_? > **[Abductor of girl, 12, jailed](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/apr/03/childrensservices.childprotection)** > > Four-and-a-half-year sentence for ex-US marine. ---
**Author:** ![MrTuffPaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MrTuffPaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrTuffPaws)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/19 "2004-04-05T19:57:15Z")
This is BS. The child porn charges are fucking insane. She, even though a child, did this of her own free will. Isn’t the whole argument against kiddy porn is that it harms the childern because they are forced into it? Fuck, charge her with being a dumbass, but the child porn charges are will just ruin her life. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386/20 "2004-04-05T20:01:19Z")
Um… now this is just weird. How does one charge someone with sexually abusing themselves? This is just surreal, here. True, she could be charged with possession of kiddie porn… and it sure SOUNDS like kiddie porn, based on what I’m hearing, here… and she was, sho’nuff, disseminating it across the internet… …although I’m a bit slow to go berserk, here. I dunno about HER state, but anyone who got hit with that in Texas would basically be screwed until age eighteen… at which point, she would be released from whatever detention she was in, and her records would be sealed. Of course, three years of jail for posting nekkid pictures of yourself on the internet seems a bit harsh to hammer a fifteen-year-old for. I’d be more interested in nailing the pervos who (I suspect) incited her to do so. Perhaps this is why they’re slammin’ the charges down: to get her to spill what she knows. If this led to some kind of porn ring, I’d happily put the screws to her until she decided to bargain. If it was some sort of silly innocent thing with no over-eighteen pervos involved, though, I’d say this is insane. Who took the pictures, anyway? Or was this webcam stuff? And I flatly would not find her guilty of abusing a child. Nope. Sorry. Not even goin’ there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-year-old-girl-prosecuted-for-child-porn/238386.md?page=2)