We have previously discussed child pornography prosecutions, particularly in terms of restitution and sentencing issues. The case of Francis Calar, 53, shows however the addictive or compulsive character of these crimes. Calar was arrested after on a Colorado Army base masturbating in his car while watching child pornography on his laptop. He is a military contractor “technical trainer” and married with two boys at home.
According to court papers, an officer approached Calar’s parked car and witnessed the act before Calar saw the officer and closed his laptop. He is then quoted as giving a series of incriminating statements like “Yes I know you [saw] what I was doing and what I was looking at.” Police say that later Calar “advised that he has an active interest in child pornography,” and used an unsecured Internet connection at Fort Carlson. He is further quoted as insisting that “his sexual interest in children is purely ‘fantasy.’” He told investigators that he works extensively with children from coaching girls volleyball and boys baseball to teaching Sunday school. He is still listed as the coach at the local high school volleyball team. Those activities will now most certainly end.
He will now face one of the heaviest sentencing systems on the books with a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of ten years. He could also, as we have previously discussed, be looking at huge restitution costs. He have already seen how the length of these sentences and the stigma is so high that suicide is an ever present concern in these cases.
Do you feel that a five year mandatory term is justified or excessive in such a case?
If a person watched pictures of people robbing banks and in his heart of hearts wanted to rob banks, but didn’t, would we send him to jail? I don’t think we need to fill our prisons with people who just look at dirty pictures. I would rather spend the money filling potholes and fixing bridges.
As long as thousands and thousands of young boys are being constantly exposed to adult pornography, expect thousands of young boys growing to adults with abnormal sexual interests. I find it appalling that all children are or will be exposed to legal pornography depicting adults and the government does nothing about it. Somehow this isn’t a problem. But an adult looking at a person under 18 and it’s the extreme of abuse. The person with the heartbeat is being sacrificed to inanimate images in both cases.
I also find it appalling the outrage against homosapeans seeing homosapeans without their close on, yet not a word from the government about late-term abortion, where in reality mothers are killing their daughters and/or sons.
Interesting society.
My daughter played at the volleyball league that Francis coached at. I am shocked because he seemed to be a very nice man and his wife and kids are great. I asked my daughter if she ever felt “creeped out” by him and she said no. He had access to so many kids over the years, I am afraid to see what is on his computer. I sure a full investigation will ensue and more will come out.
To the people trying to support the person they know as a friend :
the problem is NOT that this man can’t be totally ok around some kids, but that we do not know at what point he would go further – we probably ALL have people around us with “hobbies” like this and what someone does in private is no one else’s business ( as long as there is no kid involved )
– EXCEPT that we would like to STOP the porno business this causes – kids are being USED because of this ‘private’ habit after all –
AND once it becomes ‘in our face’ as this incident was, we DO have the right to protect our kids from possible harm, and talk about what should be done to that end.
This is NOT a witch hunt against your friend – it is a discussion of the best way to put a hold on potential harm to everyone’s children – we can’t just WAIT to see if he goes to the next step can we ?
We humans seem to have such a hard time with our COMPULSIONS.
I really hope this guy’s life can be fixed for everyone’s sake.
To the GOD who may be out there watching and listening – “won’t you help us helpless guys get this right ? ”
There is no answer is there ? – just as the founding fathers said – (they were Deists) – so we do the best we can, and we MUST try to protect our children FIRST. This is my final comment.
Well said, Veronica.
Is it okay as long as no children are harmed? As long as done in an appropriate time and place? How about someone who gets off alone and in private on written stories about child sex? Cartoons?
I wish I could draw the line. In this case, though, he crossed it. Both wrong time and place and with pornography depicting child abuse.
I cannot help but note that parents of victims usually held the perpetrator in high esteem thinking that he could never do that … it’s not like him. And it was not like him most of the time. He had glowing testimonials about how well he worked with kids.
I just want to start out by saying we don’t support the actions of the wrong doings. I do agree with the guest completely we have know Frances for 10 years also. They have watched our son in their home. Frances has also coached our daughter in volleyball. We know that he would not touch a child inappropriately. Anyone who knows him and his family also know this. Our prayers go out to Frances and all of his family. I do wish help was sought out for this “fantasy”. Family friend.
On Mar 14, 2014 2:26 AM, “Tina Hoover” wrote:
>
> I just want to start out by saying we don’t support their actions of the wrong doings. We have know Frances for 10 years also. They have watched our son in their home. Frances has also coached our daughter in volleyball. We know that he would touch a child inappropriately. Anyone who knows him and his family also knows this. Our prayers go out to Frances and all of his family. I do wish help was sought out for this “fantasy”.
While I cannot argue with the facts of Calar owning and viewing child pornography, I can say something for any other suspicions. Francis has been my volleyball coach sinceI was around 10 years old. He never would have taken actions toward a child, he was far too concerned with his coaching, as well as representing himself as a leader among the clubs he coached for. His pastime activity was wrong in every way possible, however it never would have gone past viewing images on a computer screen.
Is there any help for them? putting them in prison doesn’t seem to be doing any good
@Guilhem – I strongly agree. I meant to give perspective on the question if five years is justified by going down one particular set of circumstances. Sorry for not making that more clear.
Ask yourself “WHat has changed in society that this is so in your face these days”? Besides Hollywood, Cyrus, Beiber, REVENUE and etc. A lot of this hysteria is created by politicians (remember the IMF scandal), the News Media and the way they report “news”, uninformed people that sit on Jury’s and prosecutors that want to climb the ladder might come to mind.
“Men and women have been masturbating to fantasies since time began.
So what’s the crime?”
~+~
The crime is Title 18 U.S. Code § 2252 – Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors
It’s not the fantasy, it is the act of possessing the child pornography by intentionally downloading it and using it for sexual gratification.
Are we sure that he hasn’t abused his kids?
I have known this man and his family for over ten years. I worked with him for nine of those years. Never did I suspect he was sick like this. He volunteered at his church, was active in the community with his family. Retired Air Force and seemed to be someone that people looked up to especially in the Vollyball coaching world. I am in shock and so sad for hs wife and kids. He needs help quickly. He has not only ruined his families life because of this sickness he is also contributing to the abuse of these children being filmed and photographed. I don’t know if prison will help him but that is a start.
roy, If you’re a parent, God forbid, but that might be an image of your child this pervert is jerking off too. Different thoughts???
roy : Maybe you think that we should all mind our own business and leave him alone – hope it’s not your child that he meets next !!
At some point WE(society) have to take responsibility to prevent this disgusting stuff happening to children !! This particular guy may have never actually physically molested any child – but he is one of the perverts that CAUSE the pictures to be taken in the first place – people are making money from this -. Please suggest how we try to stop little kids from being photographed for pervert’s use !!
Men and women have been masturbating to fantasies since time began.
So what’s the crime?
annieofwi,
Have you seen the Dottie Sandusky interview?
http://www.today.com/video/today/54648895#54648895
Jerry brought it home and she had to know.
Does she really think her son, Matt, was in it for the money, too?
Getting back on subject… Correct, this man’s children get to live with knowing horrible facts about their father. Hopefully with proper counseling/therapy they will become capable and productive adults in life.
JayKay: Although the article does mention an “active interest”, I think considering him an addict might be jumping to conclusions.
“He chose his actions. There is a reason he wasn’t watching this at home with his wife…”
Max, as a woman and as someone’s wife at one time, there could be no greater horror than to have something like this happen in a marriage. As a spouse the degree of violation felt must be worse than if a spouse would cheat with an adult. Then to have to wonder if the children would inherit this curse, or how they would be able to separate themselves from the actions of their parent. When reading of cases like this the tragedy just ripples out to anyone who he was connected to at one time. 5 years for him perhaps, but for his family a lifetime.
The local Catholic priest said three Hail Mary’s and four Our Fathers will cover any penalties the Law may render. Seminary is always open for enrollment…
[…] how the length of these sentences and the stigma is so high that suicide is an ever present concern in these cases.
To live as abuser or to live as the victim of the abuse?
It appears that, for the moment, he’s been an observer.
The propensity to abuse via observation is very real for him.
His proximity to children outside his home has allowed him to observe children in sexual ways. What is stopping him if not jail time?
Sure, the abuser will feel bad for being an abuser… Or being caught as an abuser (hate self for getting caught). I can understand that it must be an emotional crush…
If it happens that there are real children, outside illegal pornography of children, that he has had contact with, I feel for the victim and the abuser should be dealt with in a matter that removes him from any proximity to children. If it turns out that he only looks at illegal child porn on the military’s time, then I think the extent of the law should be sought.
He chose his actions. There is a reason he wasn’t watching this at home with his wife…