They do it under the guise of "general deterrance". I might believe that, if I had also read that a few producers of CP were busted. Surely there are a few idiots out there who download a lot of CP and then share or seed it. And they should be easier to find that a kid with one deleted file.

Haven't heard of any bankers or Wall Streeters going to jail, either (but at least we know that Martha Stewart learned her lesson!).

'Tis a thin line that separates top criminals from top officials.

or you could say there is one law for the wealthy and another law for people who have to use public defenders.

Well see, what I'm confused about the most is how they showed up a year after he had downloaded it/deleted it. What if that files(s) was over written, or what if that hard drive had been replaced? Going after someone a year after something happens, without any other recent evidence, would seem a bit...outrages/unethical/dangerous on THEIR part. I'm just curious as to how they even got a warrant...If they went there and couldn't find anything in his possession, i don't believe they would have even been able to charge him with anything..however i have seen a case where someone really did get nabbed a year after they downloaded some(3 files), but they were sharing it and an officer downloaded it from them. However, they didnt threaten him with any jail time, or made him register as a sex offender. He just couldnt be around kids alone. They also found 16 other files on his computer after they confiscated it. And this is just my oppinion, but I'm thinking the only reason they went after him a year later was because he was still sharing those files..

Idk..this is confusing..lol

ukbobboy01 said: "I would've thought that the FBI should be out catching terrorist and organised criminals rather than busting a kid, barely out of his teenage years, for downloading porn".

The FBI is no different than any other law enforcement organization. Their agents are promoted and slapped on the back for one thing and one thing only. Arrests. If they can arrest some 16 year old kid for looking at a naked 17 year old kid then they will. Oh they'll claim its in the name of ....bla bla bla... but in fact arrests are the name of their game.

Prosecutors are the same - they are interested in convictions alone - forget common sense.

Why do you think a girl was arrested for SENDING a nude picture of HERSELF to a boy who was ALSO arrested? Ruin a kids life? Who cares as long as the law enforcement officer gets a check mark on their score card.