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A convicted sex offender arrested Tuesday night could face a 200-year prison sentence, if convicted, after five images of child pornography were found on his computer, Madison-Rankin District Attorney Michael Guest said.
“We intend to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Guest said. “One of the priorities of our office is to protect our children.”
John Edward Butalla of 1010 W. Capitol St. in Jackson was arrested by Pearl police and the attorney general’s office after a repair shop in Pearl found five files of child pornography on his computer. The computer shop contacted authorities.
Butalla, 30, is a registered sex offender recently released from prison for a 2005 conviction in Jackson County for touching a child for lustful purposes.
“This previous crime does not enhance the crime, but it is something that concerns the Pearl Police Department and our office,” Guest said.
Butalla’s bond is set at $5 million. He is expected to make an initial appearance in Pearl Municipal Court next week, Pearl police Lt. Butch Townsend said.
Child-porn arrests are often made after a computer repair shop or other retailer discovers files and notifies authorities, Townsend said.
“Shops are obligated to notify the police if child porn is found,” Townsend said. “I don’t think the problem is raging in Pearl. We don’t have a whole lot of arrests for this.
“Out of the many crimes we endeavor to squelch, this one is high on our list. We believe strongly in protecting our children. Getting scum predators off the street – we’re glad to do it.”
Butalla’s case could go before the January grand jury, Guest said. His office is working with the attorney general’s office to see if more files are on the computer, which would mean more charges and jail time, Guest said. Child pornography possession carries up to 40 years in prison.
“When you have individuals who are downloading child pornography, it could cause them to act similarly to what they see online,” Guest said. “It’s very dangerous.”
Article source: http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20101125/NEWS/11250331/1001/RSS01
Category: Prison Time
Article source: http://nationalcybersecurity.com/?p=41181