Child Pornography & Internet Sex Offenses

Client was a Warrant Officer in pilot training when he came under investigation for following women in the PX and taking inappropriate pictures. Investigators pulled Client from training and took him in for an interrogation where they confiscated his phone. While he was being interrogated, additional investigators served a search warrant on his wife at their home and searched their home. Investigators seized Client’s work and personal laptop computers and other computer equipment and phones. Client hired Attorney Karns who immediately contacted Client’s command and the command’s legal advisor. After discussing the case with Attorney Karns, Client’s command agreed that it would not file any charges or take any adverse action against Client. Client was reintegrated into pilot training in less than one week after hiring Mr. Karns.

Client was a 1LT in the Army stationed at Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan. Client’s apartment was raided by local officials and CID as a location where child pornography had been downloaded. Several electronic items were seized, including external hard drives, USB “thumb” drives, a cell phone, and a laptop computer. On the various media and devices, a forensic examination revealed 983 image files and 41 multimedia (movie) files of suspected child pornography. Client hired Attorney Karns to assist him avoid the onerous consequences of a prosecution. Client’s command agreed to allow him to resign in lieu of a court-martial thus avoiding any jail time, a criminal conviction, and having to register as a sex offender.

Client was a Private in the Army who was charged with possessing several images of child pornography. Further, Client admitted to CID he knowingly possessed the images and was sexually aroused by them. Client hired Mr. Karns to defend him at a court-martial. Mr. Karns filed a motion to suppress Client’s statements to CID on the basis that he was improperly denied access to an attorney by the government prior to giving those statements. The government agreed to the motion and the Client was granted a Chapter 10, which allowed him to be administratively separated without receiving a criminal conviction, jail time, or having to register as a sex offender.

SPC stationed at Fort Leonard Wood charged with possession of child pornography on his personal computer and an external hard drive. The forensic report of the computer and hard drive revealed Client possessed images and videos some of which were confirmed to be child pornography by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Moreover, Client confessed to CID that he searched for child pornography by using a file sharing program called Lime Wire.

Subsequent to the Article 32 hearing officer’s recommendation that charges go to a general court-martial, Client hired Attorney Karns. Attorney Karns immediately submitted requests for a false confessions expert, a computer forensics expert, and a Board Certified Forensic Psychologist. In addition, at Client’s request, Attorney Karns submitted a request for administrative separation in lieu of a court-martial (Ch.10). As part of the Ch. 10 request, Attorney Karns submitted sixteen-character letters from supervisors and fellow soldiers as well as friends and family detailing Client’s good character and outstanding duty performance as a medic in Iraq. Moreover, Attorney Karns also submitted Client’s numerous Certificates of Training and military awards and honors.

The Staff Judge Advocate agreed to support the Ch. 10, and the commanding general approved it. Client did not receive a federal conviction, did not have to serve jail time, and is not required to register as a sex offender.

Air Force Major pilot chatted on-line with who he believed was a minor, but was a member of Perverted Justice, the group who works with NBC Dateline’s To Catch a Predator. His personal laptop computer was seized, and he was charged with Solicitation of a Minor, Attempting to take Indecent Liberties with a Minor, Possession of Child Pornography and Possession of Photos depicting Bestiality. Client wanted Attorney Karns to negotiate a plea bargain. Attorney Karns negotiated a dismissal of the Possession of Child Pornography and Bestiality charges. And, the Solicitation of a Minor and Attempting to take Indecent Liberties charges were both changed to Indecent Language with a Minor. Client could have received several years of confinement and be required to register as a sex offender. Client received only three months confinement and a Dismissal.

PFC stationed in Korea charged with possession of child pornography on his personal laptop computer and false official statement. Prior to the Art. 32 hearing, the Government offered Client a 30-month deal which would require sex offender registration and likely include a Bad Conduct Discharge. On Attorney Karns’ advice, Client turned down the offer. Attorney Karns traveled to Korea for the Article 32 hearing. After the hearing, the Government trial counsel asked Attorney Karns to “state his terms” for an offer. Attorney Karns said Client would take a Ch. 10 administrative discharge which would avoid a federal conviction, jail time, and sex offender registration for Client. Government trial counsel scoffed and said, “The bottom-line is that he has child porn on his machine… He was charged with possession. He will be convicted on these facts. His status as a sex offender is guaranteed. The only question is whether he wants to negotiate a cap on his sentence.” Six weeks later after we still do not give in and win a request for a computer forensics expert, the Government agrees to support a Ch. 10, and it gets approved. Client does not receive a federal conviction, does not have to serve jail time, and is not required to register as a sex offender.