York County man sentenced for having child sexual abuse material – WBTV
York County man sentenced for having child sexual abuse material WBTV
Columbia Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTV) – A York County man already out on probation for possessing child sexual abuse material has been sentenced to prison for possessing thousands more files of the material.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office said on October 23, Lawrence Tafoya pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree in York County.
Background
On March 15, 2024, Investigator Alex Clark with the York County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Probation, Parole and Pardon Services in reference to a cell phone that was seized by their department that contained child sexual abuse material. The agent said the phone belonged to Tafoya, who was currently on probation for sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree.
A forensics examiner with SCPPP examined the phone on scene and found files of child sexual abuse material. Tafoya was arrested on April 11, 2024, for images on the phone, and subsequently confessed to having additional images on other items in his home. A search warrant was done on his home in York County and several items were seized. A forensic examination of the items revealed files of child sexual abuse material on his cell phone and thousands more files on his laptop.
Sentencing and Consequences
Tafoya was sentenced to six years in prison, with credit for 196 days already served. He will have to continue to register as a sex offender and was ordered to forfeit devices containing illegal material.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 5: Gender Equality – Protecting minors from sexual exploitation contributes to achieving gender equality and ensuring the rights and safety of children.
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Prosecuting individuals involved in child sexual abuse material helps establish strong institutions and promote justice.
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration between law enforcement agencies, probation services, and forensic examiners is crucial in combating child sexual abuse material.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the case of Lawrence Tafoya, who was found guilty of possessing child sexual abuse material. This issue is connected to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material perpetuate violence and exploitation against girls, violating their rights and hindering their empowerment.
Additionally, the article is related to SDG 16, which 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. The case highlights the importance of strong institutions, such as law enforcement agencies and the justice system, in addressing and preventing crimes related to child sexual abuse.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are related to the elimination of violence against women and girls (Target 5.2), the prevention of abuse and exploitation of children (Target 16.2), and the promotion of the rule of law and equal access to justice (Target 16.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
- Number of cases of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material
- Number of convictions and sentences for sexual exploitation of minors
- Number of individuals registered as sex offenders
- Number of devices seized containing illegal material
These indicators can be used to measure progress in addressing the issues of violence against women and girls, the prevention of abuse and exploitation of children, and the promotion of the rule of law and equal access to justice.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
---|---|---|
SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres | – Number of cases of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material – Number of convictions and sentences for sexual exploitation of minors |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all |
– Number of cases of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material – Number of convictions and sentences for sexual exploitation of minors – Number of individuals registered as sex offenders – Number of devices seized containing illegal material |
Source: wbtv.com