University of San Francisco Professor Pleads Guilty in Kiddie Porn Case
Jim Kouri, CPP
November 17, 2006
A professor and former dean at the University of San Francisco’s School of Education agreed on Thursday to plead guilty to one count of possessing child pornography following an investigation a federal investigation.
Dr. William T. Garner, 66, who also co-founded USF’s Center for Instruction and Technology and is a professor emeritus in the School of Education, admitted that he knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, which he obtained over the Internet.
According to court documents, Garner possessed more than 15,000 images containing child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors, portrayals of sadistic or masochistic conduct, and other depictions of violence.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Garner and the government have agreed to recommend a sentence of 63 months in prison, a $12,500 fine, and restitution of $50,000 to the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center.
The children depicted in these images are the victims of horrible abuse, and we will vigorously prosecute individuals possessing these materials,” said US Attorney Kevin V. Ryan in announcing the charge.
Taking sex offenders off the street and out of our neighborhoods is a high priority for the Department of Justice and our office,” he said.
Those who engage in the exploitation of children should no longer expect the anonymity of cyberspace to protect them,” said special agent in charge Charles DeMore. “This case is particularly disturbing in light of the defendant’s position as someone young people at the university look up to and respect.”
We know that child abuse is something a child may never outgrow so our work at the center is to stop it from happening,” said Kathy Baxter, Division Director of the San Francisco Child Abuse Council.
If approved by the Court, we will use these funds to continue our work in educating children, their caregivers and the community about ways to prevent abuse and continue our work in improving the systems that deal with child abuse,” she said.
Garner’s arraignment is scheduled for December 7 before Magistrate Judge Bernard Zimmerman in San Francisco. No sentencing date has been scheduled.
Dr. William T. Garner, 66, who also co-founded USF’s Center for Instruction and Technology and is a professor emeritus in the School of Education, admitted that he knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, which he obtained over the Internet.
According to court documents, Garner possessed more than 15,000 images containing child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors, portrayals of sadistic or masochistic conduct, and other depictions of violence.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Garner and the government have agreed to recommend a sentence of 63 months in prison, a $12,500 fine, and restitution of $50,000 to the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center.
The children depicted in these images are the victims of horrible abuse, and we will vigorously prosecute individuals possessing these materials,” said US Attorney Kevin V. Ryan in announcing the charge.
Taking sex offenders off the street and out of our neighborhoods is a high priority for the Department of Justice and our office,” he said.
Those who engage in the exploitation of children should no longer expect the anonymity of cyberspace to protect them,” said special agent in charge Charles DeMore. “This case is particularly disturbing in light of the defendant’s position as someone young people at the university look up to and respect.”
We know that child abuse is something a child may never outgrow so our work at the center is to stop it from happening,” said Kathy Baxter, Division Director of the San Francisco Child Abuse Council.
If approved by the Court, we will use these funds to continue our work in educating children, their caregivers and the community about ways to prevent abuse and continue our work in improving the systems that deal with child abuse,” she said.
Garner’s arraignment is scheduled for December 7 before Magistrate Judge Bernard Zimmerman in San Francisco. No sentencing date has been scheduled.
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