News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Pearce Moves to Strengthen Child Pornography Laws

For Immediate Release: February 16, 1998 Contact: Kristy Tibbles, Assistant to Senator Drue Pearce, at 465-4993.

Juneau – Senator Drue Pearce (R-Anchorage) introduced legislation Monday to better protect Alaska’s children against people who possess and distribute child pornography and masturbate in front of a child. Senate Bill 323 will stiffen the penalties by making these crimes class B felonies.

"Our State needs stronger deterrents to crime involving the possession of child pornography and lewd behavior in the presence of children," Pearce said. "We must do all we can to help keep our children safe and healthy. I hope this is one of many efforts we see this year to help move closer to that goal."

Currently, distribution of child pornography is a class C felony and possession of child pornography and masturbation within the presence of a child are class A misdemeanors. Offenders convicted of class A misdemeanors do not receive sentences of more than one year.

"One year is simply not enough of a deterrent," said Pearce. "By making each of these crimes a class B felony, child sex offenders will serve up to 10 years – hopefully enough to make them think twice before committing these offenses against Alaska’s youngest victims."

Pearce said she introduced this legislation at the request of Anchorage Police Officer Glen Klinkhart who has investigated several high-technology crimes, including cases involving the creation, possession and distribution of child pornography.

Klinkhart noted that as the computer and the internet have opened up our ability to learn and communicate, it has also made it much easier for child molesters to gain access to child pornography.

"We in law enforcement are not finding hundreds, but literally thousands and thousands of photographs in the hands of these child pornographers and child molesters. This legislation tells those people who peddle in this kind of child abuse that we cannot, and will not tolerate it. Mandatory sexual offender registration for those convicted of possession and distribution of child pornography will insure that our citizens will be able to maintain a vigilant watch over those who pry upon the young for their own sexual gratifications," Klinkhart said.

SB 323 will also strengthen penalties for indecent exposure in the second degree and require offenders of all the crimes mentioned to register as sex offenders. Currently, only someone convicted for distribution of child pornography is required to register.

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= Drue Pearce, 58 K