Peer-to-peer software used to distribute and receive child porn

Peer-to-peer software, most commonly used for torrenting, allows users to share movies, music, and TV shows. However, this software can be further exploited, allowing child abusers to download and share child sexual abuse material.

If you know sites like BitTorrent, Limewire, or Napster, you’re already familiar with peer-to-peer (P2P) software.

This technology allows users to find connected computers on the P2P network and helps you locate the content you’re looking for, whether that’s movies, TV shows, or music.

But sometimes, P2P networks are used for far more nefarious reasons – one being to exploit and harm children.

Timothy J. Carpenter, from Indiana, was found guilty of using P2P networks to download and share child pornography.

Carpenter used this software to knowingly receive and distribute child porn from his phone. When Indiana State Police searched Carpenter’s phone, they found hundreds of images and a dozen videos showing the sexual abuse of minors.

During an interview with investigators, Carpenter admitted to using his device to access child pornography. Not only did he access this material, he used his phone to create child porn.

Carpenter made videos of minors showering by hiding his camera in various locations to purposefully show their genitals and pubic area.

For his crimes, Carpenter has been sentenced to almost 18 years in prison and will legally have to register as a sex offender upon his release. Alongside this sentence, Carpenter will pay $76,000 to his victims.