Sexual Exploitation of a Child, C.R.S. 18-6-403, is charged at the Weld County Courts after the Greeley Police or another law enforcement entity finds sexually exploitative material, or illegal materials depicting children, on a person’s computer. Often, the discovery of this material is thanks to the use of software, or through a search warrant obtained to investigate another sex crime. If you are being investigated for Sexual Exploitation of a Child, act quickly, and contact a top sex crimes lawyer today.
1. The Greeley Police May Have Found My Files – When Do I Contact a Lawyer?
If you accessed or possessed sexually exploitative material and believe the Greeley Police found your files, the time to contact a top criminal defense lawyer is now. Even if you have not yet been charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Child, it is best to contact an attorney as quickly as possible. Our lawyers can begin to research and build a defense on your behalf for when charges are filed against you at the Weld County Courts. In addition, we can give you the legal counsel you need in the interim before a case opens and charges are filed.
2. How Does the Weld County Sheriff Find Sexually Exploitative Material?
The Weld County Sheriff may find sexually exploitative material in a few different ways. These include:
- Software like the Child Protection System, which analyzes file sharing networks to detect sexually exploitative material.
- XRY by MSAB, which uses rapid hash matching. A “hash” – a set of characters used to identify an image – is compared to the hashes of other images. Similar hashes can indicate the presence of illicit images depicting children.
- Obtaining a search warrant if you are suspected of another Internet sex crime against children. For example, if you are being investigated for Internet Luring of a Child, the Weld County Sheriff will obtain a warrant to search your computer. The Sheriff may then find sexually exploitative material while conducting the search.
3. Colorado DOC Time for Possessing Illicit Materials in Fort Lupton and Firestone
Accessing, viewing, or possessing illicit materials in Fort Lupton and Firestone is charged as a class 5 felony for the first offense, and is punishable by time in the Colorado DOC, fines, and other penalties. Sexual Exploitation of a Child increases to a class 4 felony if the defendant possessed video or moving images of sexually exploitative material, or it is their second or subsequent conviction. See the table below for penalties that can result from a conviction of Sexual Exploitation of a Child:
Class 5 felony / F5 |
Class 4 felony / F4 |
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If you are being investigated or have been charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Child, don’t wait. Contact the top sex crime lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office today to help you protect your future.
Do you believe you could soon be charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Child? Be smart, and exercise your right to stay silent. Then call 970-616-6009 to discuss your case with a top Weld County sex crime lawyer today. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Weld County Courthouse is 901 9th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
Photo by Nao Triponez