Georgia police chief involved in computer sex chats?
This story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution raises more questions than it answers. There is still a lot about the Chief's "retirement" that remains a mystery. But one thing is for sure, he's gone from this department.
This story is especially interesting because this police department was one of the first (if not the first) department to start bringing these computer sex chat cases in Georgia. And they are still doing it. In fact, we have an internet sexual exploitation case currently pending in Fayette County, Georgia that was investigated (actually, initiated) by this department in Peachtree City. It may go to trial next month.
We have successfully represented many people charged with computer sex crimes, including sexual exploitation of children and computer child pornography. We have a dozen of these cases pending in different parts of Georgia, and we expect to be successful in our case in Fayette County as well.
Although sexual exploitation cases can be challenging, we have been successful in resolving several of these cases for probationary sentences. The key is extensive pre-trial preparation. Our law firm usually hires a computer forensics expert to assist us in evaluating the authenticity of the chats, and then we consider entrapment and other legal defenses. The character of our client, and the lack of any criminal history, also helps. I have heard from some of our clients that many defense attorneys simply want to give up when faced with computer pornography or sexual exploitation charges. But these cases can be won. It just takes a lot of time, effort and relevant experience.
I doubt that the Chief's "retirement" will have any effect on any pending case, or the future of these prosecutions in Georgia. It does show, however, the problem with interpreting online chats and conversations. Maybe this Chief now understands how emails and chats can be taken out of context.
