A 22-year-old Punxsutawney man has been brought up on 484 felony charges for allegedly possessing and disseminating child pornography. Brendon Eugene Troutman is accused of uploading child porn to the social media website Discord, which the police found after following cyber tips. If convicted, under Pennsylvania law, Troutman faces up to five years in prison if it is a first offense, up to ten years if it is his second offense or greater, and up to $15,000 in penalties.

Crimes related to child pornography are taken very seriously in the United States, and the law treats convicted offenders with severity. A person accused of possessing or distributing child pornography should seek legal help immediately. Call the knowledgeable criminal defense lawyers at the LLF Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online. We know that not everyone accused is guilty and believe everyone is entitled to a vigorous defense. Contact us today to build your defense and protect your reputation and future.

Child Pornography Possession and Distribution Charges

Charges related to child porn are inevitably complex matters. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be charged under both state and federal law.

In Pennsylvania, you may face felony charges if you are accused of sharing, selling, distributing, or exhibiting materials or recordings that include children under 18. If convicted, the penalties you face may vary depending on the children's ages in the images, how many illicit images you possess, and whether images involve any lewd acts.

Under federal law, a possession conviction could bring up to ten years of imprisonment for a first conviction and up to twenty years for a second conviction or more. Mailing, transporting, receiving, or possessing with intent to sell the images depicting the sexual abuse of children carries a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison for a first offense and a minimum of 15 years for a second or greater offense.

In addition, under both Pennsylvania and federal law, you are likely to be required to register as a sex offender. The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) requires anyone convicted of an offense against a minor, including child pornography, to register in this database. As a registered sex offender, you may be required to live a specified distance from schools and child safety zones and update your whereabouts every three months for the rest of your life. If you fail to comply with registration requirements, you will likely face additional criminal charges.

How a PA Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

An arrest related to a child pornography offense can have many devastating consequences. Your job, your freedom, your reputation, and your family's stability and well-being may be at risk. If convicted, you'll likely feel the crushing weight of those consequences even more.

A skilled criminal defense lawyer can help you build a solid defense against the charges and fight to get the charges dismissed or reduced. Common defenses include:

• your possession of the material was unknowing or unintentional
• law enforcement searched for or seized the material illegally
• law enforcement entrapped you into committing the offense
• the material does not constitute "child porn."

If you have been arrested for charges related to child pornography, contact the skilled Criminal Defense Team of the LLF Law Firm immediately. Whether a federal or state court case, we have the experience and knowledge of child porn offenses to help you reach the best possible outcome. Contact us today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online to evaluate your case and start formulating a powerful defense.