In Tampa, the former spokesperson for the Department of Children and Families has been sentenced on a child pornography production charge. The DCF is the state agency which handles the welfare of children in Florida. Al Zimmerman, 41, pleaded guilty earlier this year. Zimmerman apparently took nude photos of young boys. He has been sentenced by a federal court to 24 years in prison.
The DCF fired Zimmerman last year, following his arrest by federal officials. The former media liaison intended to distribute the photographs to people in other countries. It is not clear if all of the teenaged boys were foster children, but at least one has been identified as a foster child in the care of the state.
In Utah, a firefighter is facing child pornography charges. Ryan Frandsen, 32, allegedly downloaded exploitative images from the internet. The state has charged him with nine counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, which is a felony under Utah law. "He's been with us for about 10 years. He was extremely motivated and hardworking," the local fire chief said of Frandsen, who remains on administrative leave.
Frandsen is involved in numerous community activities, including operating a business to help triathletes and raising money for sick babies. He was named the Utah Paramedic of the Year in 2006. Frandsen is married and has children.
In Florida, the child pornography statute has received scrutiny in recent years, especially as cell phones and the internet have made it easier to access and share photographs and videos. The Florida law even applies to minors. For example, a 15-year-old girl could be charged with distributing or producing child pornography for taking a racy cell phone picture of herself and then sending it to her boyfriend. Likewise, he could be charged with possession of child pornography. The sticky issues of teenagers, sex, and technology has been playing out in the courts as more teens face charges from similar situations.
If you have been charged with any crime, including a sex crime, in the state of Florida, contact the Musca Law criminal defense attorneys.
The DCF fired Zimmerman last year, following his arrest by federal officials. The former media liaison intended to distribute the photographs to people in other countries. It is not clear if all of the teenaged boys were foster children, but at least one has been identified as a foster child in the care of the state.
In Utah, a firefighter is facing child pornography charges. Ryan Frandsen, 32, allegedly downloaded exploitative images from the internet. The state has charged him with nine counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, which is a felony under Utah law. "He's been with us for about 10 years. He was extremely motivated and hardworking," the local fire chief said of Frandsen, who remains on administrative leave.
Frandsen is involved in numerous community activities, including operating a business to help triathletes and raising money for sick babies. He was named the Utah Paramedic of the Year in 2006. Frandsen is married and has children.
In Florida, the child pornography statute has received scrutiny in recent years, especially as cell phones and the internet have made it easier to access and share photographs and videos. The Florida law even applies to minors. For example, a 15-year-old girl could be charged with distributing or producing child pornography for taking a racy cell phone picture of herself and then sending it to her boyfriend. Likewise, he could be charged with possession of child pornography. The sticky issues of teenagers, sex, and technology has been playing out in the courts as more teens face charges from similar situations.
If you have been charged with any crime, including a sex crime, in the state of Florida, contact the Musca Law criminal defense attorneys.
