Well, where did you get these files from(I'm assuming through the Gnutella network, but I don't want to make an assumption)? If you were mass downloading, and never deleted any of the files you downloaded, Its extremely possible you could have downloaded these files and had been sharing them for quite some time. If you were using Limewire, It comes standard to share every file you download (unless you specifically tell it not too, most people don't know this). Alot of people have come across this stuff before using p2p, but delete it immediately, and for the most part, end up being fine. However, if you download this stuff, accidentaly or otherwise, and don't delete it, it would give authorites the right to believe that you were sharing these files on purpose, thus giving them the reason to go after you and confiscate your computer. Word to the wise, always check every file you download.

Did they by chance tell you how long they were monitoring those files you had on your computer?

Frost158

As BCI said, it is highly likely that you were sharing these CP files because, unless your app is configured otherwise, LW will share all your downloads by default.

Also, there are so many files marked with false names it is quite easy to download what you think are ordinary files and on inspection find that they are something else.

I guess you will have to convince the authorities that you did not know you had these files and, I suspect, did not know you were sharing them as well.


UK Bob

Update for anyone interested in that Matthew White case. Apparently, according to his plea agreement on PACER, he's pleading guilty to 150 images of S&M (the really bad stuff) CP.

Assuming this is true, it seems as though the storys of people getting busted in by police/FBI/any authorites for accidentaly downloading CP, and deleting it right away, still remains to be a myth.

Is S&M illegal in the US then?

Agreed. Ultimately, the authorities know that they may have to present their evidence before a jury. I hope the day comes when they have to look long and hard to find people with one deleted CP file. Collectors of CP collect images. I am sure authorities can find a wealth of cases, with hundreds of videos, leading to easy convictions, without potentially having a jury worry about ruining a lad's life for one such offense.

Well, no, not for adults. lol.

When I said "the really bad stuff", I meant that these wern't just images of naked kids....get my drift?

I understand it's easy to fall on this stuff every once in a while using gnutella, but to have so many images of a particular kind of stuff, tells me that person was looking for it. These images being S&M is most deffinently why he got that kind of a jail sentence.

Blackhorse 70V
I think you're right when you said that they need enough evidence to possibly win over a jury. Which is why I'm almost certain that they go after people that are sharing these files. One, because they have to be sharing these files in order for the police to download it off of them, and two they want them to still be sharing these files when they go after them so that they know they are going to be in possession of these files when they get there.

Personally, I'm not sure how much longer they're going to really focus on gnutella to catch these people. I guarantee you the real predators are long gone from this network. There's too much press in relation to all the "tracking software" and what not that is being used to hunt these people down. The only people they are going to catch now are a few idiots, and kids. Which, if you notice some of the arrests lately, are exactly just that.

my nams is james just hii to everybody

Hello, James, am LeeRoy
glad 2 join this board, cheers!

Frost158 my first question is WHY? Something to do with the help you're receiving?

Your only recourse here is to tell the truth and vigoriously appose the fact that you KNOWINGLY downloaded the stuff. The volume you're talking about makes it pretty clear that this was a minute amount of your collection.

This is no time to skimp on lawyer fees.

Meanwhile be prepared for the worst our society is going through a freaky time on this subject and similar subjects. Today parents see a kidnapper behind every bush. If my memory serves me right there were perhaps 12 or 20 - I can't remember - [I]non-family[I] kidnappings in the US last year.

The keys are to strongly deny you had knowledge that there were underage people in the videos - that you never watched them - it was just part of a compulsive act to hoard the images for which you are now under treatment for. Make sure its emphasized that you willingly turned over the CP without altering its content. You had nothing to fear when doing so.

I wish I was on your jury - but my best advise is if you can plead this out to a misdemeanor do so. But of course listen to your attorney and push him to get the charges dropped if possible.

Have you searched the web for a forum for people who have been unjustly charged or overly punished (the lifetime registration as an example)? Do so and see what help is on-line.

Curious, frost158 said he turned his computer over to the police, but he did not say why he did that.