Importing child pornography is considered a sex crime in many states, including the state of Connecticut. Within our state, the laws regarding this crime are governed by the Connecticut General Statute § 53a-196c. On this page, I will discuss the crime of importing child pornography in greater detail. You can learn exactly how the law defines this crime, the potential penalties, and what to do if you face this charge.

What is Importing Child Pornography?

The statute defines importing child pornography as a person who knowingly imports three or more visual depictions of child pornography into the state with the intent to promote child pornography.

Here are a few common terms that you might be generally familiar with, as well as their actual legal definitions.

“Child pornography” is defined by Connecticut statute as any visual depiction (film, photographs, computer generated images, videotape, etc.) of person(s) under the age of sixteen engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

“Sexually explicit conduct” is defined by statutes as simulated or actual sexual intercourse, masturbation, sadistic or masochistic abuse, bestiality, and nude performance.

“Sexual intercourse” is defined as the following; any form of oral sex, vaginal intercourse, or anal intercourse. This is according to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-65(2) (2019). Any penetration, however slight, is enough to count as intercourse and penetration can be done with an object or a body part. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-193.

“Masturbation” is defined as simulated or real touching or stimulation of a person’s own buttocks, genitals, or female breasts (clothed or unclothed). This can be done manually or with an instrument. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-193(8) (2019).

“Nude performance” is defined as the exposure of a person’s genitals or female breasts (either completely exposed or visible to the human eye through clothing) on display for an audience. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-193(4) (2019).

“Sadistic abuse” is defined by statutes as experiencing pleasure or sexual enjoyment from inflicting pain, humiliation or suffering on others.

“Masochistic abuse” is defined by statute as experiencing pleasure or sexual enjoyment from pain or humiliation inflicted on oneself.

The following term is not defined by the Connecticut General Statutes, but is defined in the dictionary.

“Bestiality” is defined as sexual intercourse between a human and animal.

Penalties of Importing Child Pornography

Importing child pornography is classified as a Class B felony. The penalties for this crime specifically are imprisonment for a minimum of five years which may not be suspended or reduced, a maximum of twenty years, and a fine of up to $15,000. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-35a (2019); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-41 (2019).

Defending Yourself

There are two affirmative defenses to this type of crime:

(1)  The person possessed less than three visual depictions of child pornography (not including video) AND:

(A) The person did not knowingly possess, purchase, solicit, request, or take other actions to possess visual depictions of child pornography AND:

(B) The person immediately and in good faith took reasonable steps to destroy the visual depictions of child pornography or reported the depictions to police without at any time allowing other persons to access the depictions besides police; or

(2)  The person possessed visual depiction of a nude person under the age of sixteen for sincere artistic, medical, scientific, educational, religious, governmental, or judicial reasons. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-196g.

Call a Connecticut Lawyer for Importing Child Pornography Charges

If you have been charged with importing child pornography in Connecticut or any other crime you can contact us for additional help.