Norfolk Federal Child Pornography Lawyer

When facing federal child pornography charges, you need a defense team that understands the system inside and out. As experienced federal child pornography attorneys, we’ve successfully defended complex federal child pornography cases nationwide. At Johnson/Citronberg, we approach every case with discretion, strategy, and a deep commitment to protecting your future.

Child pornography is a category of pornography defined by federal law as any “visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct” involving a person under 18 years of age. Images that fall within the definition include photographs, videos, digitally photoshopped images, and images that look like they involve minors. This includes images of people who are, in fact, minors, and adults who look like they are minors.

To meet the definition, the person depicted does not have to be completely nude, as images of a child or teen in a lewd pose or engaged in sexualized activity can also qualify, depending on the nature of the activity depicted and its intended use.

Legal actions against possession and receipt of child pornography occur when prosecutors identify evidence from browser caches or distribution incidents, even without stored content. Images on the scale of thumbnails can also be used to prove knowing possession.
The presence of computer files like “thumbs.db” or deleted/temporary internet files has played a significant role in many federal cases, sometimes leading to confusion or false assumptions about intentional possession.

The state and the nation take these cases very seriously. These types of cases typically gather significant public attention, especially when a person is convicted on multiple counts.

For example, in October 2023, a Navy sailor was convicted on child pornography charges, with additional related charges involving at least three victims. Another incident in 2023 involved a minor from Norfolk, where the defendant was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison, highlighting the severity of penalties if convicted.

The Eastern District of Virginia’s Norfolk Division has jurisdiction in Norfolk and hears cases in the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse.

There are a number of laws that detail the criminality of child pornography. Each law deals with a certain aspect of the possession, creation, or distribution of these materials.

The primary federal laws governing criminal actions are found in 18 U.S.C. § 2252 and § 2252A, which make it illegal to receive, distribute, transport, or possess child pornography. In the federal system, possession is not subject to any mandatory minimum, but can still result in a significant prison sentence under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, especially in cases with aggravating factors.

Receipt and distribution each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years. Federal cases often center on this distinction as prosecutors choose to bring charges of receipt instead of possession to ensure a mandatory minimum sentence.

Virtual, or computer-generated, material is covered under 18 U.S.C. § 1466A, which bans creating and distributing obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse, including animated or cartoon versions that show minors participating in sexual acts. Possession of this material is also illegal under this statute, even if no actual children were involved in its creation. Sentencing for these cases is extremely complex. The difference between federal mandatory minimums and guideline recommendations can mean years of additional prison time, making it crucial to have a lawyer who understands how federal sentencing works in child pornography cases.

A federal child pornography conviction in Norfolk comes with extreme consequences. From a criminal perspective, penalties vary from 5 to 30 years depending on the offense, with minimums for certain specific crimes. It also mandates lifetime sex offender registration, which can drastically impact your housing and travel.

Defendants face public shaming and separation from their families, along with enduring psychological repercussions at the personal level. Military and federal workers in Norfolk frequently face professional repercussions such as job loss and revocation of credentials after convictions. In fact, the arrest alone can ruin a person’s career. In some cases, individuals have faced harsh professional and family consequences even before a conviction, so it’s critical to understand the legal impact on family court and custody matters when accused.

The severity of the consequences of a conviction or even just an accusation makes it imperative that you hire a federal child pornography lawyer if ever facing these charges.

What Is the ICAC Secret Service?

The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program is a national network of state and local law enforcement agencies that investigate technology-facilitated child exploitation. This organization also includes members of the Secret Service. The Secret Service is typically focused on protecting high-profile officials, but they also have a branch that protects children against cybercrimes.

What Act Was Created to Protect Children in the Internet Age?

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) was enacted in 1998 to safeguard the personal information of children under the age of 13 in the digital space. The COPPA requires websites and online services to obtain parental consent before collecting data from children, and restricts the ways in which companies can use or share that data.

How Do Police Catch Internet Crimes?

Police use a number of methods to catch internet crimes. Law enforcement may use undercover operations, IP tracking, monitoring peer-to-peer networks, and working with technology companies to investigate internet crimes. Search engines and cloud storage providers use artificial intelligence algorithms that scan for and report illegal content. Search warrants and subpoenas can be used to identify suspects behind online activity.

Does the FBI Monitor the Dark Web?

Yes, the FBI monitors the dark web. They also conduct undercover operations on it. The organization uses targeted tools to examine criminal activities, including child exploitation and illegal drug and weapons trade. In certain cases, the FBI has seized dark web marketplaces in high-profile cases to identify users and obtain evidence against those who engage in criminal activity. Those under investigation often have questions about defending themselves during federal investigations, such as what to do if approached by law enforcement, consider reaching out to a skilled lawyer team.

If you have been accused of federal child pornography charges, legal assistance is available to you. Contact Johnson/Citronberg today to get started on your case by scheduling a confidential consultation.