Posted on Jun 24, 2015
"West Point Cadet Guilty Of Owning, Distributing Child Porn"
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Originally published on newyork.cbslocal.com:
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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — A West Point cadet was convicted Tuesday of possessing a collection of child pornography and sharing it over the Internet.
A federal court jury in White Plains found 25-year-old Ricky Patrick Hester guilty of possessing and distributing pornographic photos and videos.
Hester, of Granger, Indiana, faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison on the distribution conviction.
He has been on leave at the U.S. Military Academy since his arrest in 2013. He was one semester short of graduation.
The academy said then that the allegations against Hester were “inconsistent with the values of the U.S. Military Academy and the Army.”
The government said emails expressing interest in child pornography had been traced to Hester from Idaho. Hester was arrested at his barracks by Homeland Security agents.
When agents questioned Hester, he “confessed in full,” prosecutor Lauren Schorr said in the trial’s opening statements.
But Hester’s lawyer, Patrick Mullin, responded that the agents’ questioning and their search of his room were improper. He suggested that investigators settled on Hester as their suspect too soon, noting that another cadet used the same room and many cadets had access to a West Point wireless network.
Mullin refused to comment after the verdict.
Schorr said Hester used his cellphone and a Dropbox account to collect “hundreds of shocking portrayals of children” and then engaged in trading over the Internet. She told jurors he had transmitted an email message saying he was interested in images of “boys tied up and being forced to do things.”
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/06/23/west-point-cadet-guilty-of-owning-distributing-child-porn/
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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — A West Point cadet was convicted Tuesday of possessing a collection of child pornography and sharing it over the Internet.
A federal court jury in White Plains found 25-year-old Ricky Patrick Hester guilty of possessing and distributing pornographic photos and videos.
Hester, of Granger, Indiana, faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison on the distribution conviction.
He has been on leave at the U.S. Military Academy since his arrest in 2013. He was one semester short of graduation.
The academy said then that the allegations against Hester were “inconsistent with the values of the U.S. Military Academy and the Army.”
The government said emails expressing interest in child pornography had been traced to Hester from Idaho. Hester was arrested at his barracks by Homeland Security agents.
When agents questioned Hester, he “confessed in full,” prosecutor Lauren Schorr said in the trial’s opening statements.
But Hester’s lawyer, Patrick Mullin, responded that the agents’ questioning and their search of his room were improper. He suggested that investigators settled on Hester as their suspect too soon, noting that another cadet used the same room and many cadets had access to a West Point wireless network.
Mullin refused to comment after the verdict.
Schorr said Hester used his cellphone and a Dropbox account to collect “hundreds of shocking portrayals of children” and then engaged in trading over the Internet. She told jurors he had transmitted an email message saying he was interested in images of “boys tied up and being forced to do things.”
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/06/23/west-point-cadet-guilty-of-owning-distributing-child-porn/
Posted in these groups: 
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
Crime
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point) Crime
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 7
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As a grad, I am aware that this hallowed institution is not immune to the ills prevalent throughout our society. I know of a grad in my class who was convicted of child molestation as an LT. I'm glad that this guy was caught before greater harm may have occurred.
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Interesting. Having been there for 4 years (As a TAC, SGS, and XO), and knowing our Military Academies are always under the microscope (they are not without issue), I always read articles that pop up about discipline issues, especially at West Point. Plus, in my new job, we continue to encourage kids to and have kids attend - We have 4 there since I started here.
That said CPT Aaron Kletzing, this is a crime, and it should be handled like any other crime. Unfortunately, criminals appear in all corners. I think some, however, can be more newsworthy, or are believed to be - Leaders, Cadets, etc.
After many years in the Army as a leader and a MP, nothing really surprises me. As others stated... Child porn, online porn, etc. are huge issue in this day and age. I also know anything you do on a computer can be seen, and located.... I have seen the information recovered more than once...
I wonder if this young man has bill from USMA now? In my day the only one's they sought reimbursement from, were criminal cases resulting in dismissal.
That said CPT Aaron Kletzing, this is a crime, and it should be handled like any other crime. Unfortunately, criminals appear in all corners. I think some, however, can be more newsworthy, or are believed to be - Leaders, Cadets, etc.
After many years in the Army as a leader and a MP, nothing really surprises me. As others stated... Child porn, online porn, etc. are huge issue in this day and age. I also know anything you do on a computer can be seen, and located.... I have seen the information recovered more than once...
I wonder if this young man has bill from USMA now? In my day the only one's they sought reimbursement from, were criminal cases resulting in dismissal.
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Yes, I saw this article as well -- horrible, disgraceful, disgusting. As a USMA alum myself, I am especially disappointed in the actions of this individual, as to some extent those actions reflect on the institution as a whole...regardless of whether that's fair.
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Capt Mark Strobl
CPT Aaron Kletzing, I disagree to this point: The actions of the individual reflect solely upon Hester. Himself. Alone. Should he have been commissioned, aware of his criminal behavior, I might agree. But, the Academy reacted prudently. The integrity of the USMA, and ALL its graduates, remains in tact.
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PVT Robert Gresham
Capt Mark Strobl - I must agree with CPT Aaron Kletzing on this point. Similar to the case of a service member receiving an award, it is always stated that these actions 'reflect favorably on' the individual, the unit, and the branch of service. As such, whether it is so stated or not, negative behavior, or in this case shameful, and disgusting behavior, especially those that reach the news, are naturally going to leave a dismal stain on the entire organization, even if it is the action of only one individual.
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Capt Mark Strobl
Great counter-point, PVT Robert Gresham. I will offer this: IF this was an issue that was either 1.) "institutionalized" (accepted/encouraged behavior), or 2.) USMA buried it and passed the Cadet through, then we have a problem.
Despite one Cadet's missteps, I would still send my son/daughters to USMA without reservation. Your points are well-made, and well-taken. I just don't think this reflects one iota to the quality of school --nor it's graduates. No one has to jump on nay grenade for this sh**bird.
Despite one Cadet's missteps, I would still send my son/daughters to USMA without reservation. Your points are well-made, and well-taken. I just don't think this reflects one iota to the quality of school --nor it's graduates. No one has to jump on nay grenade for this sh**bird.
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