The People’s Lawyer

Arrest leads to sexual exploitation charges

On Behalf of | Oct 13, 2020 | Criminal Defense

Being criminally charged with anything is a horrifying experience. However, being charged with a sex crime or sex offense is especially harrowing because of the increased social stigma associated with it. In fact, for those that are in fields that deal with children, like teachers and daycare workers, even just allegations of sexual impropriety, without charges or a conviction, can destroy one’s career. And, one man is currently experiencing this first hand.

The arrest

Last Thursday, a West Virginian man wanted on several sex crime charges, including production of child pornography and sexual assault of a minor was arrested in neighboring Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. This was a coordinated effort by the West Virginia’s Monogalia County Sheriff’s Office, Mechanicsburg Police Department, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the federal, Department of Homeland Security.

According to the Mechanicsburg Police Department, the arrest occurred before 9:00 a.m. around 700 Robert Street. The man was arrested and immediately charged as a fugitive from justice.

MPD claims that evidence was seized at the property, but that the investigation is still ongoing. The man has already been arraigned though, with bail set at $250,000. He has not posted bail, and he is still in jail.

What led to the arrest?

According to MPD, the arrest occurred because of the multiple charges the man faces in West Virginia. These include soliciting a minor through a computer, the use of minors in filming sexually explicit conduct, sexual assault of a person younger than 16, distribution of exhibition of sexually explicit material involving minors and strangulation.

While these charges may seem harrowing, we must always remember that everyone, regardless of the offense, is presumed innocent. That is one of our founding principles, and as a matter of fact, we do not know all the details of the situation to even begin to pass judgement. We only know what the police have released.

This is why it is so important for those West Virginians charged with any sex crime to contact an attorney immediately. Again, accusations alone can have lasting effects on one’s life, but convictions can destroy it.