Man, Woman Arrested for Child Porn, Sexual Battery
The laws are in place to protect children from abuse, neglect, and sex crimes. When a person is accused of harming minors, they will face severe penalties.
A couple from Manatee County has been arrested and charged with child pornography possession, transmission, and production. The man and woman from Bradenton were investigated after the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit received multiple cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding child sexual abuse images and videos transmitted over Facebook.
Detectives discovered the images came from the couple’s home, located in the 5000 block of 23rd Street West. Investigators executed a search warrant and seized multiple electronics. They found numerous images and videos showing the couple performing sex acts on children.
The man and woman, both 24 years old, were arrested the following day. They face numerous child porn charges as well as capital sexual battery charges. There have been three victims identified. They range in age from 10 months to 10 years old. The couple has confessed to the crimes.
Police believe that there are additional victims. Anyone who suspects that a child may have been victimized by the couple should contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Unit.
What is Capital Sexual Battery?
Capital sexual battery involves sexual battery caused by an adult to a child, specifically to a minor under the age of 12. Someone who injures the sexual organs of a child under the age of 12 by attempting to commit sexual battery is also guilty of capital sexual battery.
Sexual battery includes any oral, anal, or female genital penetration by the sexual organ of another person, or the anal or female genital penetration of a person through the use of an object. If convicted of capital sexual battery in Florida, a person can face penalties ranging from 25 years to Life. Florida has recently reinstituted the death penalty for sexual battery crimes against children, however that law will likely be challenged in the United States Supreme Court once the State attempts to enforce it.
Capital sexual battery requires a strong defense. Some common defenses include police misconduct, violation of constitutional rights, language barriers, and false testimony. False testimony is a huge one, as capital sexual battery is often proven solely on the testimony of the victim. Children’s testimony can be unreliable. Children are sometimes coerced into falsely testifying by a vindictive parent. In addition, children often do not remember incidents exactly the way they occurred, so the details may be unclear and not make sense.
Contact a Legal Professional for Help
Sex crimes against children are taken very seriously. A person accused of child porn or sexual abuse can face many years in prison as well as other penalties.
Contact a Florida child pornography lawyer from the Law Offices of Gilbert A. Schaffnit for help with your case. We will challenge all physical evidence and testimony in your case. Schedule a consultation today by calling (352) 505-1799 or filling out the online form.
Source:
nbc-2.com/news/2023/09/21/florida-couple-arrested-for-sexual-battery-and-child-porn/