The former senior editor of a prestigious political news website pleaded not guilty this week to possession and distribution of child pornography.
Slade Sohmer, 44, pleaded not guilty to what Massachusetts prosecutor Marianne Shelvey called “one of the most egregious cases” she’d ever seen. Sohmer was editor-in-chief of The Recount, rising to prominence in certain politically charged circles.
Last month, The Recount terminated his employment. The decision came during an investigation by law enforcement of Sohmer’s alleged activities.
Prosecutors say Sohmer seemed like a model citizen. According to The Post Millennial, there was a dark secret hidden beneath that pristine facade:
Sohmer allegedly had “hundreds of child pornography images and videos” when he was arrested on October 18 in Otis, Mass. He was additionally alleged by prosecutors to have himself filmed a video in which he was instructing a minor to perform sexual acts. That child, per local reports, has been identified.
Speaking to The Wrap, Shelvey said the images showed exploited children “as young as 3 or 4 years old.”
The report continued: “In addition to the imagery, authorities obtained text chats, also allegedly from Sohmer, sharing how to kidnap and rape a child. Shelvey said the disturbing chats added ‘a level of extreme cruelty’ to the case.”
The arrest came after authorities confiscated his electronic devices. The investigation was initiated last year, as reported by The Post Millennial:
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children tipped off authorities last year. They reached out to the Massachusetts State Policy Cyber Crime Unit about a suspicious video on Snapchat. That video, per local reports, showed a minor boy masturbating. The IP address was allegedly traced to Sohmer.
After pleading not guilty at Southern Berkshire District Court, Sohmer was released on $100,000 bail. The judge ordered him to stay away from minors and the internet.
Sohmer faces 15 years imprisonment if convicted on all charges.
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