Former Attorney for Foster Children Charged with Child Pornography Crimes in Los Angeles
Charles Aghoian, 61, previously a supervising attorney for a nonprofit, faces charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM). He voluntarily surrendered to federal law enforcement and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in downtown Los Angeles’s United States District Court.
Specific Charges Against Aghoian
The indictment charges Aghoian with three counts of distributing and one count of possessing child pornography from December 2020 to April 2021. He allegedly shared videos of child exploitation. The possession count is for images on his smartphone, some showing children under 12.
After his not guilty plea, his bond was set at $1 million, with a trial date of May 6.
Evidence and Allegations
- Distribution of Child Pornography: Prosecutors claim that Aghoian knowingly distributed sexually explicit videos featuring minors during late 2020 and early 2021.
- Possession of Child Pornography: April 2021, authorities allege Aghoian possessed images on his smartphone that constituted child sexual abuse material, including content involving children under the age of 12.
Defense Strategies
Aghoian’s defense may argue against the evidence collection method, claiming it violated privacy rights. They could also question the link between Aghoian and the found CSAM, indicating insufficient proof of possession or distribution. Additionally, they might dispute Aghoian’s awareness of the material on his devices or his intent to share it.
Sentencing Outlook
If found guilty of these federal charges, Aghoian could receive a mandatory minimum of five years and as much as 20 years in jail for each offense. This emphasizes the strict punishments for crimes involving child pornography.
