Florida readers may be interested to learn that the brother of Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock, who gunned down 58 people on Oct. 1, has been arrested for allegedly possessing child pornography. He was taken into custody on Oct. 25.
Los Angeles authorities accuse Bruce Paddock, age 58, of having more than 600 sexually explicit photos of minors. They also accuse the defendant of swapping such images with others. Paddock has been charged with one count of possession of child pornography and 19 counts of sexual exploitation of a child.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the child pornography investigation began before the Las Vegas mass shooting. Investigators allegedly found explicit images of children in a building where Paddock had been squatting. However, they were unable to locate him. As a result of the Vegas investigation, police learned that the defendant was staying at a Los Angeles assisted-living facility and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Court records indicate that Paddock has a criminal record stretching back more than 30 years. He has been previously convicted of vandalism, theft, driving with a suspended vehicle and criminal threats.
Child pornography and other sex crimes can lead to serious consequences for those who are convicted. Penalties for such crimes could include a lengthy prison term, heavy fines and a court order requiring the defendant to register as a sex offender. On top of criminal penalties, those accused of sex offenses often face social stigmas and irreparable damage to their reputation. However, a criminal defense attorney could review the case and work for the most favorable outcome possible.
Source: NBC News, “Vegas Gunman Stephen Paddock’s Brother Arrested in Child Porn Probe“, Andrew Blankstein, Oct. 25, 2017
