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US Marshals arrested financial consultant over Irish child porn charges
Summary
An American financial consultant, Shawn Towner, aged 44, was arrested by US federal marshals in 2017 and extradited to Ireland to face charges of possessing child pornography. The charges stem from material found in 2006 when Gardaí raided his home and discovered five videos depicting children as young as ten using sex toys, masturbating adults, and involving binding and ropes. The material was downloaded via Limewire. Towner pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography at his Stillorgan home on 30 March 2006. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, suspended on the condition that Towner leave Ireland within a week. He was also registered as a sex offender in Ireland and the US. The court noted Towner's lack of prior convictions, the delay in prosecution, and his cooperation with Gardaí. The case highlighted the harsh system for sex offenders in the US, including neighbour notification and online publicity.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: US Marshals arrested financial consultant over Irish child porn charges. Charges or matters: the charges as early as possible, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard; possession of child pornography at his home on Brewery Road, Stillorgan, Dublin on March 30, 2006. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 30, 2006 Incident
- 2018-01-24 Publication
Why: An American financial consultant was arrested by US federal marshals last year in order to face charges of possessing child pornography here 12 years ago. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the charges as early as possible, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard; possession of child pornography at his home on Brewery Road, Stillorgan, Dublin on March 30, 2006 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan suspended a two year prison sentence on condition that Towner leave Ireland in the next week.
Places mentioned
Topics
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