Purdue News
Purdue News
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February 26, 2004 Purdue student faces child pornography chargesWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A Purdue student faces 32 felony charges stemming from using the university's computer system to download and distribute child pornography. Travis S. Miller, 19, a freshman in the School of Technology from Evansville, Ind., is scheduled to have an initial hearing Friday (2/26) in Tippecanoe County Superior Court. He is suspected of 31 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography, said John K. Cox, Purdue police captain of special services. Cox said police were notified that two students found pornographic images on Jan. 22 in a folder on Miller's computer via a shared computer network in Tarkington Hall, where Miller and the other students live. The next day, Purdue police searched the hard drive of Miller's computer and found 30 photographs and one video of what appeared to be children under the age of 16 involved in sexual acts, Cox said. The case also has been referred to the Dean of Students Office. Stephen J. Akers, executive associate dean of students, said that even if images are stored on a student-owned computer it is against university regulations to use computer network resources in an inappropriate or illegal way. "Any violation is subject to disciplinary action that can range from probation to expulsion," Akers said. Possession of child pornography is a Class D felony and carries a maximum punishment of three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Distribution of child pornography is a Class C felony and punishable by up to eight years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. Cox said any student who discovers child pornography on shared campus computers or networks should contact the Purdue Police Department at (765) 494-2073. Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073 , mholsapple@purdue.edu Sources: John K. Cox, (765) 494-8221, jkcox@purdue.edu Stephen J. Akers, (765) 494-1242, sjakers@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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