Saturday, January 12, 2008

High School Teacher - ROBERT LAMASCUS - 120 months Federal Prison for Child Porn

"Trading or collecting images of child pornography is not a victimless crime, "said U.S. Attorney Ratcliffe. "Each image represents graphic physical and sexual abuse of an actual child. Anyone who uses the internet to trade images of these horrific crimes deserves the kind of lengthy sentence imposed here today."

United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced Thursday that a 39-year-old former Frisco High School teacher and soccer coach has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography in the Eastern District of Texas.

ROBERT LAMASCUS was sentenced today by United States District Judge Marcia Crone. Lamascus also received a fine of $3,000.00 and 7 years supervised release.

"Trading or collecting images of child pornography is not a victimless crime, "said U.S. Attorney Ratcliffe. "Each image represents graphic physical and sexual abuse of an actual child. Anyone who uses the internet to trade images of these horrific crimes deserves the kind of lengthy sentence imposed here today."

According to information presented in court, Lamascus used his computer and internet provider to download and trade images and video clips of child pornography in 2006 and 2007. Lamascus was employed as a public high school teacher and girls soccer coach with Forney ISD from August 3, 2004 to May 25, 2005 and Frisco ISD from August 10, 2005 until February 2, 2007, which was three days after federal agents executed search warrants at his Aubrey, Texas residence. Lamascus pleaded guilty to a 1-count Information on August 28, 2007 charging him with using a computer to obtain and possess child pornography. Lamascus received the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison today at his sentencing.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC). In February 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security.

No comments: