San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog
Russell Taylor, the man who was accused of being Jared Fogle’s accomplice in a child pornography ring, was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison by Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, on December 10, 2015. Mr. Taylor is convicted of producing and distributing child pornography, specifically to Jared Fogle, the former Subway spokesperson. He used hidden cameras to photograph children as young as age nine in sexually explicit acts.
Mr. Taylor’s sentence was eight years less than what prosecutors sought for 12 counts of producing child pornography and one count of distributing it. However, it was more than the 15 to 23 years that Taylor’s attorneys requested. The judge rejected Taylor’s argument that he was just Fogle’s pawn, but recognized that he cooperated with authorities in Fogle’s prosecution. She noted that Taylor did not deserve to spend more time in prison than Fogle, who faces up to 50 years. It is reported that 12 victims are involved in the child porn production case, many of whom are Taylor’s own nieces and nephews.
What is a Criminal Accomplice?
A criminal accomplice is generally defined as someone who “knowingly, voluntarily, or intentionally gives assistance to another in (or in some cases fails to prevent another from) the commission of a crime.”
Under California law, criminal accomplice liability is also known as ‘aiding and abetting.’ CA Penal Code § 30-33 allows for the prosecution for anyone who encourages, facilitates, or aids in the commission of a crime, no matter how insignificant his or her role was. Presence at the crime scene is not required, and the involvement can be as simple as drawing the perpetrators a map or supplying the weapons used.
Aiding and abetting during the crime is known as an ‘accessory before the fact.’ There is no legal distinction between being an accessory or an actual perpetrator when it comes to sentencing. The penalties for being a criminal accomplice depend on the crime that was committed.
Legal Defenses
Typical legal defenses for aiding and abetting include:
- You were falsely accused;
- You withdrew from the participation before the crime in question was committed;
- You were merely present at the scene, and did not actually aid or encourage the crime;
- You only facilitated the crime after its commission (which allows for lesser penalties).
Mere knowledge about the crime that is about to be commissioned is not enough to warrant a conviction for aiding and abetting. However, you must show you took steps to try to prevent the crime.
San Diego Sexual Offenses and Criminal Accomplice Lawyer
If you have been accused of being a criminal accomplice, it is important to contact a lawyer who specializes in these situations right away. Oftentimes, it is far too easy for innocent people to be accused in a situation where emotions are running high. The Law Offices of David M. Boertje handles all criminal matters, including sex crimes defenses, theft, and manslaughter crimes. We will defend your innocence.