‘Child’, ‘Teen’, ‘Baby’…: Kept 3,368 records of child pornography

His imposing figure looms over the courtroom. Julien*, 36, appeared free before Foix Magistrates’ Court this Tuesday for the possession, from January 31, 2021, to September 22, 2022, of child pornographic images and consultation with services where images of minors are available.

The investigation began in November 2022. The Foix native, who now lives with his mother in Arignac, was then tracked down by a digital technology researcher from the gendarmerie after he downloaded a mass of illegal files. Two days later, his home was searched and his computer equipment, including four laptops, phones and storage systems, were seized. Inside, investigators got their hands on 3,368 child pornography files, including 44 thumbnails of minors scattered across different devices and online storage. Several photos of weapons and drugs were also discovered. His search history, which he appears to have wanted to hide using specialized software, also leaves little doubt about the content searched for: “Child,” “Teen,” “Baby.”

“Words that are everywhere on porn sites,” Julien defends himself at the bar, admitting he was the only user of his computer equipment – ​​some of which he salvaged from landfills – but insisting he’s not necessarily “attracted to minors”. and i don’t understand english “I download files and only then can I see what they contain (…) I am not a bad person.

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A “desire to hide the wanted content”

The psychological expertise read by the president describes a “loner”, “shy”, “inhibited”, “avoidant” man, with great difficulties in social isolation – he has never been in a romantic relationship – and a strong attachment to the mother figure. The sketch also of a difficult childhood, marked by domestic violence, after which the defendant would be tasked with protecting his mother from his father’s beatings. A difficult journey that reveals his face, marked by Verney’s disease. Unable to work due to health problems, Julien’s life today consists of watching TV and playing consoles.

Leaning over the bar, the man mutters, his worn polo shirt showing off his tall, sleek frame. “I’m not attracted to guys, (…) It’s not something I’m excited about. (These images) were part of a set of files I downloaded.” Unpersuasive argument for the prosecutor. “It’s still a lot of downloads of things that wouldn’t be wanted,” the judge said, highlighting the “more than suggestive” titles the defendant was seeking and describing “a routine examination of child pornography images.”

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He also noted the use of specialized software to anonymize Internet searches and erase their traces, making it possible “to show the desire to hide the requested content.” The files were also allegedly hidden on the computer and others were deleted. After the orders of the representative of the public prosecutor, a 10-month suspended prison sentence under the condition of duty of care and prohibition of activity with minors, one of the judges persistently questioned the accused, without a lawyer. “Why is it serious to have images of child pornography?” Question left unanswered, the accused does not seem to realize the seriousness of the facts with which he was charged.

Clear duty of care

In a “chronic progressive depressive state”, the young man would even be “dangerous to himself” according to the doctor. As a result of the investigation, he was forced to undergo psychological monitoring. “I think it helped me,” Julien admitted sheepishly. He was found guilty by the jury, sentenced by the judges to 8 months in prison with 2 years of probation with mandatory treatment. He has also been banned from working with minors for two years and has been placed on the sex offenders’ register.