Child porn on my roommates computer?

Question

My roommate is my best friend. I've known him for years. But I recently discovered what I think are images on his comupter of children who are standing there naked. There were 4 images and they look like nudist photos. I didn't see any videos. I don't know what to do. Should I talk to him? Should I suggest I move out? I'm not going to turn him in, this is my childhood friend. What should I do?

In reponse to some comments, the images I saw were not of any "sexual activity". It appeared as if the children are posing for a camera at a nudist resort or something. I found them under his recent documents. I've done some research and found that nudist/nudism websites do exist that may contain photos as such. I know my friend very well and he has never showed signs of pedophilia, or anything to that effect.

Answer 1

call the po on the sicko he needs to go to the whosegow n'at

Answer 2

The "Legal" thing is to report it to the authorities. I'm not sure if it's the "Right" thing though. If you've been friends for years and you've never known him to engage in such illegal acts then you need to have a talk with him and find out exactly what these pictures are about. You could be included in a prosecution if it is found out by someone else since you live there too and obviously have access to the computer in question. If he gives you a hard time about it, move out and inform the authorities of what you saw. Even if they are deleted, modern forensic computing can recover the files and who knows what else! If he has a reasonable explanation or if you know him and can tell if he's lying, tell him to get rid of the materials and knock it off.

Answer 3

Do nothing until you get a good deal of basic education. Read up on the topic -- BTW how did you get to see these images?

Well, before you get involved in a legal mess --- Say nothing unless you know the legal definition of "child pornography".


Pictures of nude children are not in and of themselve "pornographic".

Now there are some who would argue that pictures taken by Rev Charles Dodgeson (AKA Lewis Carrol) of "Alice" are child porn --- but most would say that they are early photographs.

Nudism or Naturism is not a crime(yet).

Answer 4

child nudity in of itself is not illegal as long as the images are not of a sexual nature.
Title 18 of the United States Code governs child pornography.18 U.S.C. § 2256 defines "Child pornography" as:

"any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture, or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where -
(A) the production of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct;
(B) such visual depiction is, or appears to be, of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct;
(C) such visual depiction has been created, adapted, or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or
(D) such visual depiction is advertised, promoted, presented, described, or distributed in such a manner that conveys the impression that the material is or contains a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct . . ."

Im not condoning what he has on there but I am not proclaiming him a pedophile either

Answer 5

You need to confront him and see what sort of explanation he has for this. Just because he's your "childhood friend" is no reason to protect him if he's involved in illegal activity (and possessing child pornography IS illegal). Frankly, this sort of thing would be repulsive to any normal adult; there is no reason to be in possession of child pornography unless one is a pedophile.

Let me ask you this: Would you feel comfortable leaving a younger sibling or cousin, niece/ nephew with this guy to babysit? If you have a bad gut feeling about him, you need to be a responsible citizen and get to the bottom of this. How would you feel if something happens to a neighborhood child? Then, he'll be thrown in jail-- is that being a good friend to let that happen? Best to nip this in the bud now and talk with him and insist that he get some help. I'd look into Dept. of Social Services also and ask their advice. This isn't something to take lightly or to not want to get involved in, just because that might be the easier road to take. If he ends up molesting some kid, that will affect that kid for the rest of their life! Sounds like your "friend" isn't the person you thought he was. Step up and do something about it.

Answer 6

keep in mind this as well.... alot of times music downloading programs have files such as these embedded in what you would think would be a song you are trying to download.... so by trying to download a song you enjoy you may very well be downloading someting filthy you dont even know is on your computer...

Answer 7

talk to him first could be spam stuff he picked up surfing ether way ask about it and that is wrong if he didn't delete it . but in this day and age some one can be using you're computer as a zombie to do what ever thay want like sending spam etc ....

Answer 8

Check your computer for similiar images and delete them. He may have downloaded some to your computer.

You may want to look for another place to live.

Answer 9

TELL SOMEONE. But don't confront him now, because he may delete the pictures. Even if he is your friend, do you want to be friends with a pedo?

Answer 10

I would turn him in anyway. You could be seen as abetting a Federal Law and a co-conspirator in this. Do what is morally right. If you knew he killed someone would you not turn him in?