In the wake of the Penn State/Sandusky scandal, a Taunton High School teacher has been accused of having sex with two female students. Patrick Doyle, a history teacher, now faces charges of statutory rape and aggravated statutory rape of a child. NECN reports that the Doyle was indicted on twelve charges arising from the two incidents, and is currently being held without bail. A dangerousness hearing has been set for Doyle sometime next week. If convicted of these charges, Doyle faces a 10-year to life sentence in prison. Allegations of sex crimes are serious and should not be taken lightly. A conviction for a sexual offense in Massachusetts carries significant penalties of imprisonment and may confine an offender to a lifetime on the sex offender registry.
Earlier this year, two Newton men were arrested for possession and distribution of child pornography. The arrests were made in the same week during January 2012, although there does not appear to be a connection between the two men. Peter Buchanan, a 10-year city employee and Dave Ettlinger, an elementary teacher, both face serious charges stemming from the arrests. Dave Ettlinger was arrested in January 2012 for his participation in the child pornography website called Dreamboard, which requires members to post images of child pornography in order to keep their membership active. Ultimately, Ettlinger was charged with indecently assaulting three females and taping it. The arrest resulted from an international investigation of the website. A June 28th article by the Boston Globe proclaims that Ettlinger may plead guilty to the federal charges stemming from his role in the global child pornography network, although a plea has not yet been entered. If found guilty, Ettlinger faces imprisonment for 20 years to life under 18 USC §2252A. Upon the conclusion of the case, Ettlinger must return to Massachusetts to face state charges for the indecent assault on three females.
On the other hand, the Boston Globe reports that Peter Buchanan plead not guilty to three counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of distribution of material depicting a child in a sexual act. If convicted of possession, Buchanan faces state prison for not more than five years or in a jail or house of correction for not more than two and one-half years or hefty fines or both fines and imprisonment. If convicted of distribution, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. While viewing adult pornography on the Internet is not a crime punishable by Massachusetts law, the Commonwealth imposes harsh criminal penalties for possession or distribution of child pornography.
Allegations of sexual crimes have rocked Massachusetts residents in the past year. With arrests piling up in several counties, parents and public officials are concerned for the safety and protection of their children. Sex crimes in Massachusetts are prosecuted and punished very severely, and a conviction may require a prison sentence, as well as a lifetime on the sex offender registry. If you are facing criminal charges for a sex crime like possession and/or dissemination of child porn, seek a skilled sex crimes lawyer immediately in order to defend yourself and your maintain your innocence. It takes specialized knowledge and skills to combat allegations of a sex crime and only a criminal defense attorney experienced in handling complicated sex crimes will be able to lead you through the challenging road ahead.