A former police sergeant in Ohio convicted in a child pornography case had his sentence reduced from nine years to 90 days Thursday, WCMH reported.
Dean Worthington, 51, who served 20 years with the Columbus Division of Police, also must pay a $5,000 fine, will have to register as a sex offender for 25 years and will be barred from having internet access, the television station reported.
Worthington pleaded guilty in November to four counts of sex-related charges, including illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance and three counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, WCMH reported. Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said Worthington was downloading child pornography to his personal phone, the television station reported.
Worthington's Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor and his ex-wife spoke on his behalf, WCMH reported. Meanwhile, victims' advocates called Worthington's sentence too lenient.
"When offenders are only sentenced to 90 days in prison it sends a horrible message to crime victims. It sends a disturbing message to offenders. It undermines the serious nature of the crime and it allows that industry to flourish," Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center executive director Cathy Harper Lee told WCMH . "Registering as a sex offender falls within the guidelines of our laws and yes he should be held to that standard and he should have to register as a sex offender for 25-years. Does that mitigate the fact that he's only serving 90-days in jail? Not it doesn't. That's still a very lenient sentence."
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