Child Pornography

In federal appeals court Tuesday, a defense attorney argued that federal agents tricked his client into flying to Alaska with the intent of having sex with a six-year-old. An attorney for Danny Harvey wants the conviction tossed out based on outrageous government conduct. A federal agent sent Harvey a link to a child pornography site while the two were chatting online. A judge found that sending the link persuaded Harvey to fly from California to Alaska, where he was arrested.

by Christine Kim Saturday, July 10, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Detectives are continuing to investigate 25-year-old Johnathan Nichol of Eagle River, who is charged with possessing child pornography, and say there may be additional charges against him. The Anchorage Police Department says it took about two weeks from first learning about Nichol's images to putting him in jail. It all started with a tip: a post on a community forum for expectant mothers that police believe was a cry for help.

by Channel 2 News staff Thursday, June 17, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A police tip has led to the arrest of a 66-year-old Anchorage man on charges of distribution and possession of child pornography. APD Det. Mark Thomas received a tip from an investigator in Vermont who recently made an arrest for possession of child pornography. Investigators determined Peter Taylor of Anchorage sent the images to the Vermont suspect's computer. An arrest warrant was served, and investigators searched Taylor's West Anchorage residence.

by Mike Ross Friday, June 11, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A jury returned guilty verdicts Friday against a man accused of repeatedly molesting a teenage girl over a three-year period starting in 2005. Dana Thompson was convicted of several counts of sexual abuse of a minor, child pornography, and exploitation of a minor. He admitted to having sex with the girl when she was only 14 years old, but he claimed it was a mutual relationship. Prosecutors say Thompson abused the girl and tricked her into believing the relationship was normal.

by Jackie Bartz Sunday, April 18, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sean Parnell had big victories in Juneau this weekend, with the Legislature passing bills he championed to fight against domestic violence and child pornography. Earlier this month, hundreds of Alaskans rallied to show their support for the bills. Senate Bill 222 passed the Legislature this weekend. It makes offensive touching a misdemeanor, and intentionally accessing child pornography a class-C felony.

by Lori Tipton Wednesday, April 7, 2010 PALMER, Alaska -- A former Anchorage Police officer is headed back to prison after he admitted to violating his probation. Bryan Herrera, 47, was convicted in 2005 of possessing child pornography. He served his time, but after being released was caught again. In Palmer Superior Court, a judge sentenced Herrera to another four years in prison Wednesday. Herrera was a 12-year-veteran of the Anchorage Police Department before being arrested in 2005 for having child pornography and for attempting indecent viewing of a minor.

by Ashton Goodell Monday, February 8, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A judge granted a mistrial Monday morning for a man accused of repeatedly molesting a teenage girl, often in his mother's trailer, court documents allege. Dana Thompson is charged with 63 counts, including sexual abuse of a minor and possession of child pornography. He has admitted to having sex with the 14-year-old girl, saying that she did so willingly as part of their relationship together. But prosecutors have argued that he conditioned the girl to think it was normal to have sex with an older man and that he was in a position of authority over her. Judge Michael Spaan granted the defense's motion for mistrial Monday.