Restitution awarded to the survivors of child pornography, following the conviction of a former college professor
A former college professor who was recently convicted of possessing child pornography will now have to pay $78,900 in restitution to some of the victims – those who were featured in the images and videos that the man collected and shared.
The man, who was also sentenced to serve six years and four months in federal prison, will reportedly be paying $32,500 to one victim known as “Vicky,” and $26,500 to another victim who is portrayed in the Marineland series of images.
Elaborating on just how the circulation of her images and abuse has impacted her, Vicky explained in a statement filed as part of this case:
They are trading around my trauma like treats at a party, and it feels like I am being raped all over again by every one of them.
Both the Vicky and Marineland victims are represented by Savage Law Firm’s Carol Hepburn, who has been pivotal in helping child sex abuse survivors like them pursue justice and financial recovery. As Hepburn has explained about the ongoing impacts that this type of abuse has on survivors:
This is a crime that never stops for the victims… From [Vicky’s] perspective, any man she passes on the street could be someone who recognizes her from those videos.
Hepburn has also pointed out that the restitution in these cases can be essential to helping survivors get the treatment(s) and help they may need, especially in light of the fact that many are unable to hold down jobs and earn a living due to the profound impacts their abuse has had – and continues to have – on them.
Background on the Case
According to court documents associated with this case, the former Allegheny College professor became the subject of a federal investigation when, in September 2014, FBI agents traced child pornography files shared in a peer-to-peer network back to the man’s computer.
The findings led authorities to search the man’s homes in Pennsylvania and Arizona, the result of which uncovered roughly 550,000 illicit files, including images and movies – some of which reportedly featured the sexual abuse of infants.
Following the raids of his homes, the man reportedly admitted to authorities that he had been collecting and sharing child pornography via Limewire and BitTorrennt for the past two years and that he preferred files featuring girls between 10 and 13 years old.
Additional details regarding the investigation and trial for this case are available here.
Contact a Seattle Child Sex Abuse Lawyer at the Savage Law Firm Today
If you or your child has been the subject of child pornography – or has been victimized by any type of child sex abuse, contact a Seattle child sex abuse lawyer at the Savage Law Firm for experienced, compassionate and effective help getting on the path to recovery and justice.
At the Savage Law Firm, we understand that no amount of money can ever make up for childhood sexual abuse and exploitation. However, we also know that helping abuse survivors obtain compensation from their abusers and the people who possess images of them can be crucial to helping them obtain a sense of justice, as well as the financial support they may need to focus on their overall recovery.
Call us at 503-766-5337 (in Seattle) or at 503-766-5337 (in Portland) to find out more about how we can help you. You can also email us using the form on this page. From offices in Portland and Seattle, our lawyers represent clients throughout the U.S.