If the police served a search warrant and seized his computers, then there is a good chance that some CP images---or videos--- are on the hard drive. They will take the computers to a forensic specialist and, after running a software program, find the images---even those previously deleted. Even deleted files can be recovered. Once a file is created on the hard drive, the only way it can be recovered is with special forensic software. The only sure fire method of leaving no trace of any illicit images is to overwrite the image with more data.

So, they most likely have all the evidence needed to prosecute him for CP charges. The fact that it was local law enforcement that seized his computer means that his charges will be most likely state charges, not federal charges. The feds are very tough on CP defendants and the federal system allows mandatory minimum sentences on any CP offense. A federal charge carries a mandatory five year sentence for receipt or possession of CP. At the state level, it will be much easier for him to plea to a sentence of probation instead of a sentence that carries prison time.

The fact that he is seeing a therapist is always a good idea. If nothing else, it shows the authorities that he does recognize that he has a problem and is reaching out to fixing that problem voluntarily.

Most offenders involved in CP would never touch a child, so I would keep an open mind. In fact, many non-contact sex offenders get into trouble by just doing stupid things, like look at CP.

You said, “I love him and don’t want to leave him, I feel like I can’t make a decision about our future until the court decides.”

Stick with him. He is most likely a decent person who desperately needs some psychological help IF all he has done over the years is look at CP. Of course, if he has to face the legal system----and he most likely will----you and he can still get through this, but he will need your love and understanding more than ever before.

What I don’t want is for someone to convince you that he is some kind of monster. The “monster” label is used by politicians to procure votes from a brainwashed electorate or by victims of crime to convince the legislature that tougher laws are needed.

I realize that this is a difficult time for you, but I can help you understand the system and do whatever it takes to treat him as you know him. I know that a thousand thoughts have crossed your mind and you have no answers to most of those thoughts. You are confused, as you should be, but I will guide you through this.

Contact me via PM anytime you need me.

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Here are a couple of my commentaries regarding CP offenders-------

There are studies which confirm a link between viewing CP and sex crimes against children, and there are studies which say there is no causative link.

But I do know one thing-----Viewing CP is not some sort of industrial sized magnet that draws people to commit a sex crime against a child. I doubt that anyone can find many cases in which a normal person views CP and is so influenced by it that they commit a sex crime unless they were predisposed to offending even before they viewed the CP.

Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that simple possession of child porn is more a mental health issue than a person wanting to actually touch children someday. Offenders have reached a low point in life where they seek these taboo images. They are not future child molesters.

Over the past several years, I have messaged or spoken to most of the offenders on this forum or the offenders’ families several times. I know the situation of most of the guys represented here, including their crime. I am fairly confident that the folks here who have committed CP offenses have never touched a child.

Of course, law enforcement, politicians, and victims’ rights groups believe there is a direct relationship between viewing CP and offending. Having the general public believe this is also important since they receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in the form of federal grants. LE wants to continue to justify this gravy train they are riding so the federal grants can keep rolling in. I don’t know of a police department or LEA---law enforcement agency--- who does not like money to add to their budget. They “create” a need for fighting cybercrime by overplaying its significance.

I saw a situation like this play out in my life years ago. The War on Drugs was started and continued to flourish using the same principle they use for the CP frenzy.

When I was in my last year of college, the War on Drugs was just beginning. At that time, Nixon and all the politicians began promoting that marijuana was a gateway to harder drugs, namely heroin, even though there were no reputable studies which showed proved that fact.

Placing ideas out there to inflame the public against marijuana worked well as the public believed it. As a result, law enforcement agencies over the years received millions of dollars to fight the marijuana problem. The big problem is that just as CP is not a gateway to child molestation, marijuana has never been proven to be a gateway to sex crimes.

My pharmacology professor actually went to Washington D.C., to testify that placing so much emphasis on marijuana was wrong and counterproductive. Did it help? Hell no. The politicians and those in power were convinced that marijuana was evil and must be eradicated at all costs. I call that “willful ignorance” when someone refuses to be educated.

Most CP offenders probably at one time viewed CP, but they did not become sex offenders against children because they viewed the images; they became offenders for a variety of reasons, but raping children was not on their mind. Conversely, most folks addicted to heroin probably at one time smoked marijuana, but marijuana was not the cause of their heroin addiction.

We all know the story of the miserable failure that the War on Drugs became. We filled our prisons with hundreds of thousands of low level drug people who possessed and used marijuana. We practically bankrupted this nation by being so stubborn and refusing to look at the facts and research.

I believe the situation with CP is much like the situation was with the War on Drugs. Everyone is fed a line about the “supply and demand” nonsense and “everytime an image is viewed, it re-victimizes” the child. LE agencies receive millions of dollars to fight cybercrime, computer forensic guys are benefiting, the private prison corporations are making a bundle, polygraphers are in great demand, therapists for the offenders are staying busy, and other groups benefit by called this some kind of cyber war. Nobody really wants to stop it as too many people are benefiting from it in the form of money, and in the case of the politicians, power.

We make far too many decisions in this country on emotions, instead of hard facts.

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If you are a member of your union, you might want to contact the President and explain that you are only involved because of your relationship and that things are about to get complicated. You are also entitled to a free legal consultation. When my fiancé was taken, my laptop which I used for teaching was taken for evidence for a LONG time. I had to be a very squeaky wheel to get it back. I also made certain of my legal rights so I could not be dismissed.
I also would like to suggest do NOT say anything to any law enforcement person. They will ask you many questions and try to twist it against you. Demand a lawyer be present. Blessings!