Former Coach Sentenced to 7 Years for Child Porn Plea
posted 6:00 pm Fri September 07, 2007 - Alexandria, VA
Several dozen people wrote letters to the judge on Rust-Tierney's behalf, and more than 20 people attended Friday's hearing in support of him.
Still, the sentence was more than the five-year term requested by defense attorneys.
Rust-Tierney was president of the ACLU's Virginia chapter from 1993 to 2005 and served as a youth sports coach in Arlington. There is no evidence that he ever had improper contact with children, despite a thorough investigation by Arlington police after his arrest in February.
Ellis said Friday that the pornography downloaded by Rust-Tierney "was of the most abhorrent kind," including torture and sexual assaults on children as young as 6.
Rust-Tierney paid hundreds of dollars to subscribe to multiple illegal child pornography Web sites at least as far back as 2004, authorities said. When he was arrested, police found roughly 850 still images and 36 videos of child pornography.
During Friday's hearing, Rust-Tierney said depression and "plummeting self-esteem" led him astray.
"I know what I have done is wrong, morally and legally," he said. "My conduct in paying the producers of this material is reprehensible. I am filled with contrition, remorse and shame."
Prosecutor Edward McAndrew urged Ellis to impose an eight-year sentence, in line with federal sentencing guidelines. He suggested in court papers that many of Rust-Tierney's supporters would be less likely to stand with him had they actually seen the type of pornography that Rust-Tierney was receiving.
"The children of this country are at maximum peril when their guardians exploit them," McAndrew said.
Latest Comment on Former Coach Sentenced to 7 Years for Child Porn Plea
J-B
10:34 am on 09/08/07
Oh yes what a great man that did so much good for others. I wonder if these people that support him will allow him to be alone with little children. I hope Bubba has fun tonight.
Not a member yet? Click Here to sign up.
Please leave your comments below:
Messages that harass, abuse or threaten other members; have obscene or otherwise objectionable content; have spam, commercial or
advertising content or inappropriate links may be removed and may result in the loss of your posting privileges.
Please do not post any private information unless you want it to be available publicly.
Never assume that you are completely anonymous and cannot be identified by your posts.
© 2007 WJLA-TV
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The 'RUNNING MAN' icon is a registered trademark of America Online, Inc.
ABC 7 News to leave comments on news stories.