Child Pornography Possession -- No Sex Offender Registration, No Felony, No Jail

Our legal team, alongside co-counsel, recently represented a young man facing serious internet crime charges in Florida. 

• Ten (10) counts of Possession of Child Pornography
• Three (3) counts of Transmission of Child Pornography

He came to us after a disappointing experience with his first attorney, seeking a stronger and more strategic defense. The charges were based on a CyberTip from Snapchat to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), alleging that Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) was uploaded to his account. Law enforcement obtained warrants for his internet records, Snapchat account, and personal devices. His home was raided at dawn, and he was taken into custody. The State initially offered 12 years in prison, the lowest permissible sentence under Florida’s sentencing guidelines. A conviction on even one count would have required mandatory sex offender registration in Florida.

How Forensic Evidence Changed the Case

Once retained, we immediately launched a thorough investigation. Because this case relied on highly technical digital evidence, we brought in a certified forensic computer analyst to conduct an independent review of the seized devices. The expert worked directly with detectives and gained access to the State's evidence. Unreliable IP Address Evidence in Internet Crime Investigation The CyberTip linked an IP address to our client's Snapchat account -- but the login occurred four months before the alleged upload of CSAM. Our expert highlighted that:

• An IP address does not prove the identity of the person using the account.
• IP addresses often change.
• Without accurate timestamps, this evidence is unreliable in criminal prosecutions.

Geolocation Data Errors from Snapchat

The geolocation evidence provided to law enforcement was incorrect.  Through digital forensics, we proved that the alleged upload location did not match our client's actual whereabouts. Metadata embedded in iPhone photos confirmed he was in a completely different location at the exact date and time of the alleged offense.

Mishandling of Digital Evidence by Law Enforcement

Perhaps most damaging to the prosecution was the improper handling of the seized iPhone. Investigators failed to follow standard forensic protocols, including:

• Not placing the phone in airplane mode.
• Installing new apps.
• Transferring data.
• Browsing the device without preserving its original state.

These mistakes compromised key evidence and violated best practices in digital evidence preservation.  As a result of these findings, the State's case unraveled. All original felony charges were dismissed. Our client avoided prison, avoided sex offender registration, and ultimately entered a negotiated plea to a first-degree misdemeanor -- without a conviction. This young man, with his whole life ahead of him, faced devastating consequences from flawed digital evidence and poor instigative practices. Fortunately, he hired a legal team that understood the stakes, dug deep, and fought hard to uncover the truth. We were proud to help protect his future, and restore his good name.