Tough stance needed against child porn

I grew up in Concord, N.H., as the son of a widely respected and incorruptible police chief.

Both myself and my high school classmate and friend, the Honorable David Hackett Souter (U.S. Supreme Court) were mentored by "The Chief."

In the Granite State, we learned that those entrusted with serving and protecting the public are held to a higher standard of conduct than the general public.

I am shocked to learn that Prosecutor Douglas (Kootenai County) considers the use of county computers by prosecutors to send and receive child pornography a "distraction" and insisted the "climate is fine" in his office.

Sheriff Rocky Watson gave the perpetrators in his department a slap on the wrist and a promise not to do it again. I don't think those in prison for similar offenses were offered immunity from prosecution if they promised not to do it again.

Here is how New Hampshire and the federal government handle child porn in the Granite State. The article was published on March 28, 2007, in Hopkinton.

A Hopkinton electrician was sentenced to five years in prison for receiving videotapes of child pornography.

Jeffrey S. Jones, 50, was arrested in December 2005 and indicted by a federal grand jury in May. Jones was caught in a sting operation by the U.S. postal inspector when he ordered eight pornographic videotapes through the mail, paying $165.

Jones pleaded guilty in October, and as part of the plea agreement, both Jones and the U.S. district attorney agreed to a sentence of five years in prison, the minimum mandated by sentencing guidelines. The court officially gave Jones the five-year sentence Friday. After release from prison, Jones will be placed on federal probation for 10 years and will be required to register as a sex offender wherever he lives.

GARY W. CARLSON

Sandpoint