“I am sorry,” said Julie Carr. “I never meant to hurt anyone in my family. I was conned.” This was during her sentencing for producing child pornography for a teen in England, pornography that involved her one year old daughter. The judge was not convinced that Carr was “conned” and she received twenty years in a federal prison for her abhorrent crime. She will receive more time from the state of Maine, which is sentencing her for sexually assaulting and exploiting a minor. That is just, but what about the teen in England. He only got five years for distributing child pornography. The message that his light sentence sends is not one that England wants to issue at this time.
The Dutch administrator of boylover.net, who was arrested by European police, provided information that led the discovery of a pedophile ring with over 70,000 members. The number is terrifying, especially considering that one Spaniard abused over one hundred kids during his time working at summer youth camps. Youth leaders, elementary school teachers, and even police officers were arrested in the sting. Only 184 suspects have been apprehended thus far, but more arrests are expected. Police raids also led to the rescue of 230 victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. England was one of the primary countries that the investigation has focused on, so giving a pervert five years is not going to by an effective deterrent. If one of these monsters can abuse one hundred boys, then we should lock them up and throw away the key, because they can’t be allowed back into society.
The trafficking occurred in the United Kingdom, Italy, Amsterdam, Australia, Canada, and Thailand. European Union police chief Rob Wainwright has done a good job coordinating the sting operations, but cooperation only goes so far. If police officers are among the suspects being rounded up, it may be more effective to create an international taskforce consisting of nationals from countries other than the ones listed above.
Most importantly, the authorities should ensure justice is done by trying the creeps in a jurisdiction that provides life imprisonment or death for the offenses of producing child pornography and gross sexual abuse of a child. Some may feel this is extreme, but their actions defile something that is still pure in the eyes of God. It is also an abominable act because it inflicts lasting mental torture on the victim.
Another revolting case that is unfolding closer to home is the trial of four Philadelphia priests concerning the rape of two altar boys. One of the priests, Rev. James Brennan, proved that he was the most repugnant of the group, by requesting that the Archdiocese cover his legal fees. Judge Renee Hughes took a stand and unleashed a salvo that left Rev. Brennan shaking where he stood, which is a surprising action for a judge to take today. (With more judges like Judge Hughes, maybe criminals would change their attitude when in court.)
It is sickening that people commit these types of atrocities, but what’s even worse is when legal systems fail to address them properly like in England. I sincerely hope that the authorities in charge of busting the 70,000 member pedophile ring can keep the beasts in shackles forever.
