i recently gave my computer to the police in which they found 5 cp videos. I had not been sharing them to my knowledge, and i didnt know of them. I have a pornography addiction (diagnosed professionally) and there was around 400 videos and 600 pictures. Think of my addiction as a hoarding addiction to pornography. I only watched around 20 videos, the same ones, but would spend hours (around 4 a day) mass downloading.
Even though i do have a problem, which i am in counseling for, and the videos werent watched i believe they will still come at me full force.
Its been about 3 weeks since they had it, i contacted a lawyer and ready to fight.
If anyone has any tips or advice for me, please...

Well, where did you get these files from(I'm assuming through the Gnutella network, but I don't want to make an assumption)? If you were mass downloading, and never deleted any of the files you downloaded, Its extremely possible you could have downloaded these files and had been sharing them for quite some time. If you were using Limewire, It comes standard to share every file you download (unless you specifically tell it not too, most people don't know this). Alot of people have come across this stuff before using p2p, but delete it immediately, and for the most part, end up being fine. However, if you download this stuff, accidentaly or otherwise, and don't delete it, it would give authorites the right to believe that you were sharing these files on purpose, thus giving them the reason to go after you and confiscate your computer. Word to the wise, always check every file you download.

Did they by chance tell you how long they were monitoring those files you had on your computer?

Frost158

As BCI said, it is highly likely that you were sharing these CP files because, unless your app is configured otherwise, LW will share all your downloads by default.

Also, there are so many files marked with false names it is quite easy to download what you think are ordinary files and on inspection find that they are something else.

I guess you will have to convince the authorities that you did not know you had these files and, I suspect, did not know you were sharing them as well.


UK Bob

Frost158 my first question is WHY? Something to do with the help you're receiving?

Your only recourse here is to tell the truth and vigoriously appose the fact that you KNOWINGLY downloaded the stuff. The volume you're talking about makes it pretty clear that this was a minute amount of your collection.

This is no time to skimp on lawyer fees.

Meanwhile be prepared for the worst our society is going through a freaky time on this subject and similar subjects. Today parents see a kidnapper behind every bush. If my memory serves me right there were perhaps 12 or 20 - I can't remember - [I]non-family[I] kidnappings in the US last year.

The keys are to strongly deny you had knowledge that there were underage people in the videos - that you never watched them - it was just part of a compulsive act to hoard the images for which you are now under treatment for. Make sure its emphasized that you willingly turned over the CP without altering its content. You had nothing to fear when doing so.

I wish I was on your jury - but my best advise is if you can plead this out to a misdemeanor do so. But of course listen to your attorney and push him to get the charges dropped if possible.

Have you searched the web for a forum for people who have been unjustly charged or overly punished (the lifetime registration as an example)? Do so and see what help is on-line.