Sentencing in sailor's child pornography case continued

A U.S. sailor was able to buy himself some time from his sentencing for a child pornography case in federal court. 

Twenty-three-year-old Austin Dodge was involved in an online group chat where the price of admission was the trading of images and videos of child pornography. He was able to dodge prison, at least until February. He tuned in via Zoom from Florida for his sentencing hearing on Friday through the District Court of Guam. The U.S. Navy sailor was stationed at Naval Base Guam in 2021 when he was caught exchanging "CP" or child pornography with 41 other people. He pleaded guilty in November 2021 to advertising material involving child pornography, and in turn, was able to get the charges of distribution and possession dropped.

He faces 78-98 months in prison.

His attorney, William Gavras is fighting for 60 months.
"When I first got this case, I asked to be taken off of it. . . it's not a matter of competence, but I just didn't want to see the videos," said Gavras. However, he explained how he was somewhat relieved when he realized the videos and images weren't as severe as other cases due to the ages of the victims being 10-17 years old.

Chief Judge Francis Tydingco Gatewood acknowledged that Dodge doesn't meet the typical profile of those she's seen for child pornography cases. He's the youngest defendant to come before Gatewood for those cases and the first case she's dealt with that has a charge for advertisement of material involving child pornography. She questioned the defense's request for a lesser sentence, and whether the advertising charge would be considered more aggravating because he created the links as opposed to just accessing them.

Gavras argued that his client was seeking the thrill, and that creating the link was his way of being able to gain access to the chat, and that he only did it once.

He said that Dodge would often use his father's motorcycle growing up, and didn't have it when he came to Guam.
"Riding a motorcycle is dangerous. They get a thrill with being on the edge of life, and I think that's what happened here. One thing I want court to focus on is: is he an advertiser or a possessor," he said.

Gatewood acknowledged that Dodge had "adverse childhood" experiences and that the court needs to avoid disparity in sentencing.

His hearing was continued to Feb. 2.