Columbus Woman Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material
Columbus Woman Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Possessing ... Department of Justice
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Columbus Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Columbus, Georgia, resident who admitted to possessing photos and videos of children being sexually abused was sentenced to serve ten years in federal prison for her crime.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
Townes Ward Borum, 38, of Columbus, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Clay Land today after she previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. Borum will also have to register as a sex offender for life upon her release from prison. Borum is not eligible for parole.
Key Facts
- GBI was contacted by law enforcement in New Jersey on May 20, 2022, with information about Borum distributing nude photos of a young child to a man in their jurisdiction.
- The initial Cybertip leading to the New Jersey man came from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
- A subsequent investigation found digital files of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the man’s cell phone.
- The man revealed that Borum provided him with the CSAM material in exchange for financial support.
“This case serves as a harsh reminder of the lengths child predators will go to meet their needs at the cost of innocent and trusting lives,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “In collaboration with our law enforcement and community partners, we will seek justice on behalf of sexually exploited children and do everything within our power to hold predators accountable.”
“People like Borum, who sexually exploit children for monetary gain, do serious lasting harm and facilitate in the continued manufacturing and trading of child sexual abuse material,” said Rich Bilson, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Columbus office. “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to find such predators and lock them up so they can do no further harm.”
“This case shows how low predators will go to profit from innocent lives. Working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit remains committed to diligently investigating individuals who exploit our children,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey.
Investigation and Seizure
A search warrant was executed by GBI at Borum’s Columbus home on May 21, 2022. Borum’s cell phone was seized; it contained hundreds of images and videos of CSAM, including images of CSAM depicting prepubescent minors. Her phone also contained numerous messages between Borum and others discussing the exchange of child sexual abuse material for money. Agents also found online advertisements she created and posted to sell child sexual abuse material. Borum admitted to the facts in court.
The plea agreement in this case is sealed at the request of the Government for the protection of minor victims.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Partners and Prosecution
- The case was investigated by GBI, FBI-Atlanta, FBI-Dallas, and FBI-Los Angeles.
- The Bergen County, New Jersey, District Attorney’s Office and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided special assistance.
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford Seals is prosecuting the case for the Government.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article discusses a case of child pornography and sexual exploitation, which is a violation of children’s rights and safety. SDG 16 focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. SDG 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres
The article highlights the case of child sexual abuse, which falls under the target of ending abuse and exploitation of children. Additionally, it mentions the harm caused by individuals who sexually exploit children for monetary gain, which relates to the target of eliminating violence against women and girls.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of convictions for possession and distribution of child pornography
- Number of cases investigated and prosecuted related to child sexual exploitation
- Number of individuals registered as sex offenders
- Number of partnerships and collaborations between law enforcement agencies and community organizations
The article mentions the conviction of the individual for possession of child pornography, indicating progress in addressing the issue. It also highlights the collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community partners, which can be an indicator of efforts to combat child sexual exploitation.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | – Number of convictions for possession and distribution of child pornography – Number of cases investigated and prosecuted related to child sexual exploitation – Number of individuals registered as sex offenders – Number of partnerships and collaborations between law enforcement agencies and community organizations |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres | – Number of convictions for possession and distribution of child pornography – Number of cases investigated and prosecuted related to child sexual exploitation – Number of individuals registered as sex offenders – Number of partnerships and collaborations between law enforcement agencies and community organizations |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: justice.gov
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