Yet another Oklahoma man has been arrested after being accused of distributing child pornography to an undercover Guthrie police officer. This makes at least the third child pornography arrest by the Guthrie police department in the past four months as a result of an online child porn sting.

Child Pornography Arrest and Charges

The most recent to be arrested is Earl D. Bryant, 39, of Oklahoma City. Bryant is accused of sharing pornographic images and videos with the undercover officer, and he was arrested on complaints of child pornography and violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. According to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) spokeswoman Jessica Brown, police seized several technology items from Bryant's home. The OSBI has not determined whether any of the children in the images and videos Bryant allegedly shared with the undercover officer were of local children.

In December, Guthrie police arrested two other Oklahoma City men as a result of an online child pornography sting. Eric Mowrey, 38, a Hefner Middle School band teacher in Putnam City Schools, was charged with possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.

Also arrested was Stephen Jackson, 46. Police determined that images found at his home included local children, and he was charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, production of child pornography, forcible sodomy, lewd acts with a minor, and violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.

Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act

Among other things, the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act prohibits the use of computers, computer networks, and other forms of technology to commit any crime. The penalties for violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act are in addition to any penalties for conviction of the underlying crime:

21 O.S. § 1955

A. Upon conviction of a felony under the provisions of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act, punishment shall be by a fine of not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or by confinement in the State Penitentiary for a term of not more than ten (10) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

B. Upon conviction of a misdemeanor under the provisions of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act, punishment shall be by a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed thirty (30) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

In other words, anyone convicted of computer sex crimes such as soliciting minors; lewd or indecent proposals to a minor; possession or distribution of child pornography; or distributing obscene materials to a minor faces not only the penalties for conviction of a sex crime, but additionally up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000 for violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.

Legal Defense

A free consultation with an Oklahoma computer sex crimes lawyer can help a defendant understand the charges he or she faces and the possible ramifications of a sex crime arrest. Click here to find out more information or get started with your defense.