Investigations by the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit have led to prison sentences in four child pornography cases in the first two months of 2011

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger today announced an 82-month prison sentence for a Florence man who was convicted on child pornography charges last week.

“Child pornography inflicts deep and lasting harm to children,” said Keith Dubanevich, Chief of Staff and Special Counsel to Attorney General Kroger. “The Department of Justice will aggressively seek to punish Internet predators who traffic in child porn.”

Allen Leroy McCasland (DOB: 1/28/44) was sentenced today in Lane County Circuit Court after being convicted last week of nine counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and nine counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Michael Slauson prosecuted McCasland. The Florence Police Department assisted the Department of Justice with the investigation.

Attorney General Kroger’s top legislative priority in 2011 is to fix Oregon’s child pornography law, which was weakened earlier this year by a pair of court rulings. 

The Oregon Supreme Court in January overturned two child pornography convictions, ruling that the crime of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse requires proof that the defendants intended to download child pornography. The evidence of child pornography found on the defendants’ computers demonstrated that they had viewed child pornography online, but did not prove that they intended to download it.

In response to the rulings, Attorney General Kroger has proposed House Bill 3323, which would clarify the Legislature’s intent that Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse includes the type of evidence involved in the two Oregon Supreme Court cases.

The public is strongly encouraged to report information involving on-line sexual exploitation of children to their local law enforcement agency or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

The Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit investigates and prosecutes predators who use the internet to target and sexually exploit children. The unit works with district attorneys, law enforcement agencies and regional task forces that investigate online predators. ICAC is the only program in Oregon that is equipped with the necessary resources to catch sex predators throughout the state. Budget cuts last year threatened to end the program in Oregon, but Attorney General Kroger made restoring the funds a top public safety priority. As a consequence of Kroger’s efforts, the Oregon Department of Justice received a $665,000 federal stimulus grant to keep the program operating.

From 2005 to 2011, 157 internet predators were convicted as a result of ICAC’s work.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.

• Statement by Keith Dubanevich (wma)

Contact:

Tony Green, (503) 378-6002 tony.green@doj.state.or.us |