Post by _Code on Mar 8, 2006 15:57:31 GMT -5
Wayland student arraigned on child-pornography charges
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
By Bryce Hoekenga
Special to the Gazette
ALLEGAN -- A Wayland Union High School senior who allegedly photographed two of his friends having sex at his home and then posted the photograph on the Internet was arraigned Monday in Allegan County District Court.
Ryan Zylstra, 17, threw a New Year's Eve party at his parents' Wayland home, where he allegedly photographed a 16-year-old girl having sex with her 17-year-old boyfriend. Zylstra is accused of putting the photo on the Internet on Jan. 1.
Zylstra was charged with making child pornography, distributing child pornography and using a computer for child pornography. All three charges are felonies. He did not enter a plea.
If convicted, Zylstra faces up to life in prison and $170,000 in fines. A pre-exam conference is set for March 9 and a preliminary hearing is set for March 28. The Kalamazoo Gazette was unable to reach Zylstra's attorney, Henry Emerich, for comment.
Allegan County Prosecutor Frederick Anderson said there have been several similar cases in the county since state laws were revamped in recent years to help crack down on the making and distributing of child pornography.
Zylstra has not been suspended from school because district officials believe the case involves the families and not the district.
``This really was a police matter, and now it's being handled by the courts. We're going to let the courts handle it,'' Superintendent Eivor Swan said.
A dispute arose between the school district and the city's police department when police believed the district was withholding information that would have helped in the investigation.
But Police Chief Daniel Miller said the dispute was based on a misunderstanding and has since been cleared up.
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
By Bryce Hoekenga
Special to the Gazette
ALLEGAN -- A Wayland Union High School senior who allegedly photographed two of his friends having sex at his home and then posted the photograph on the Internet was arraigned Monday in Allegan County District Court.
Ryan Zylstra, 17, threw a New Year's Eve party at his parents' Wayland home, where he allegedly photographed a 16-year-old girl having sex with her 17-year-old boyfriend. Zylstra is accused of putting the photo on the Internet on Jan. 1.
Zylstra was charged with making child pornography, distributing child pornography and using a computer for child pornography. All three charges are felonies. He did not enter a plea.
If convicted, Zylstra faces up to life in prison and $170,000 in fines. A pre-exam conference is set for March 9 and a preliminary hearing is set for March 28. The Kalamazoo Gazette was unable to reach Zylstra's attorney, Henry Emerich, for comment.
Allegan County Prosecutor Frederick Anderson said there have been several similar cases in the county since state laws were revamped in recent years to help crack down on the making and distributing of child pornography.
Zylstra has not been suspended from school because district officials believe the case involves the families and not the district.
``This really was a police matter, and now it's being handled by the courts. We're going to let the courts handle it,'' Superintendent Eivor Swan said.
A dispute arose between the school district and the city's police department when police believed the district was withholding information that would have helped in the investigation.
But Police Chief Daniel Miller said the dispute was based on a misunderstanding and has since been cleared up.
Obviously the problem and liability happened when he posted on the net. But still leaves room for discussion.
Also, here's your local laws regarding Age of Consent
_Code
