West Point Cadet Charged With Distributing Child Pornography

I'd heard of this story and seen the second article, but after looking at the first one realized that this guy was a cadre at SLE, he seemed like a chill person.

This is shocking especially considering the timeline given, and it just goes to show you never really know what's up with people.

However I hate the fact that so many news outlets are trying to make this about him being from West Point, stuff like this likely happens more at civilian colleges without everyone attempting to marr the name of the school because of one persons actions.

If he is who I think you are referring to, (he was running the station with the "Water Bottle Creed" on the mini "R-Day"), I remember him telling us he was prior enlisted.
 
And the taxpaying public has a right to know when scandal hits a public institution...

Agree.

Does the US Attorney mention "University of Insertstatehere" in the headline of a press release when a student at a state university - a public institution - is accused of a federal crime?

And is it a scandal? Or a heinous crime committed by an individual?
 
Agree.

Does the US Attorney mention "University of Insertstatehere" in the headline of a press release when a student at a state university - a public institution - is accused of a federal crime?

And is it a scandal? Or a heinous crime committed by an individual?

Well, probably not always. Although Vanderbilt has been in the news, and it's a private institution. The U.S. Attorney's office handles federal crimes, and state institutions are obviously state institutions. West Point is obviously a federal institution, overseen by the federal government. The investigation is a federal investigation.

I don't think it's a true scandal. I do think it's a heinous crime by an individual. But this individual also "represents" a federal institution (one aspect not all service members in uniform remember) and he has certain clearances. It's not "just another school."

Now, I don't think his actions are representative of West Point. No. But his actions are his, and he IS a cadet at West Point. I'm OK with West Point being mentioned every time, but the crimes are crimes of the individual, and he should pay dearly for those crimes. Thus, enters the federal criminal system. Note, the system is not kind to abusers of children. This cadet has something else coming to him. But none of that makes up for the wrongs against children.
 
They're making it about West Point because the US Attorney's press release makes it about West Point

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/December13/HesterRickyComplaint.php

And the taxpaying public has a right to know when scandal hits a public institution...

It would seem (from the article) that the only connection to West Point is that it was an enrolled cadet and perhaps he accessed a private email account through West Point's network.

It was NOT mentioned that he used any other West Point resources for his alleged activity, so I think that emphasizing West Point is stretching things a bit.

If he had been doing this activity from Starbucks would they be talking about Starbucks in the same light?

If he had been using government accounts or resources or had possession of said material on campus, that would imply more of an issue for West Point.

I suggest that the journalists need to separate the accused from his affiliations when talking about issues that in effect take place off-campus. The institution did not facilitate his actions. Yes it can (and probably does) monitor network traffic, but encrypted traffic going to an off-campus email server generally does not get cracked by service providers without reason. And the fact that he was a cadet only means that the rest of his life checked out OK. Child pornographers are found at a lot of prestigious institutions (cough cough Lamar Alexander's office cough cough) that aren't shamed for their affiliation.
 
I suggest that the journalists need to separate the accused from his affiliations when talking about issues that in effect take place off-campus. The institution did not facilitate his actions..

not to take this too far off topic, but how is this any different than making a big deal out of the west point affiliation when a cadet does something incredible on their own?
 
not to take this too far off topic, but how is this any different than making a big deal out of the west point affiliation when a cadet does something incredible on their own?

A good question...

While West Point takes in a lot of high-achieving talent, I think we all agree that the experience and education provided at West Point can be pointed to as part of what helps those cadets achieve what they do. While many achieve individual honors during and after their time, it is hard to argue that their time there didn't help them.

This would differ with the situation at hand in that the West Point experience probably didn't inspire this particular cadet to do what he is accused of, nor did it make him more successful at his chosen endeavor.
 
And the taxpaying public has a right to know when scandal hits a public institution...

This thread reminds me of the story of Cadet King from West Point and the altercation at the airport in Houston several years ago. For those who don't know the story - He was separated from West Point after an assault because an airport employee contacted the academy without authorization and the two HPD police officers assigned to the terminal that day reported the cadet as the suspect. Was it anybody's business that he was a cadet? I didn't think so at least not in that case. Granted this crime is much more henious and this kid should get everything he deserves. Going to prison as an offender that harms children will cause him lots of trouble inside.

We all expect so much more from these kids.

In the end Cadet King was later reinstated to the academy, the officers were reassigned and the airport employee named a party in a laswsuit.
 
Yeah, I'm not entirely convinced Cadet King was completely innocent here. Supported, no. Minding his own business and struck by lightning? I think not.

BTW, LaBelle's bodyguard was recently acquitted of assault in the case. King's 0.28% BAC probably didn't help the prosecution. Last I read, civil suits are still pending (he's suing her and she's counter suing).
 
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