AbuseWatch Urges SMPD to Register Matheson

Evin Daly, CEO and Co-Founder of One Child International Inc. and Child AbuseWatch, has written a letter to the urging them to pursue placing Robert Matheson on the sex offender registry.

Matheson, 67, is a Sierra Madre resident who pleaded guilty to possessing and smuggling thousands of images and videos of child pornography across the Canadian border in October. He served 120 days in a Nova Scotia jail before returning to Sierra Madre last week. Matheson has not been required to register as a sex offender, but SMPD and Immigration and Customs Enforcement say he is currently under investigation.

“[Matheson’s] possession of child pornography and the quantity involved indicates that he accumulated these images and videos in the U.S. prior to traveling to Canada,” read Daly’s letter, which reminded the SMPD that this is a sex offense in the U.S.

“Further, an examination of the images may indicate his, or one of his associates, involvement in their recording. People who have a sexual interest in children tend to befriend like-minded individuals; Matheson may be a link to others in possession of child pornography or those who molest children. A large percentage of child pornography possessors are also child molesters,” the letter continued.

Daly told Patch that he’d like to see Matheson put in custody during the investigation, as he could be a flight risk.

Daly would also like to see a confidential phone number set up for residents to use to report any possible cases of molestation.

“While the investigation continues evidence of molestation may arise from victims as the case is made public,” said Daly.

Daly also shared what steps he would like to see the SMPD and ICE take during their investigation.

These include reviewing the images and videos found on Matheson’s laptop to see if any of them include Matheson, checking to see if their backgrounds indicate they were photographed in Matheson’s home or office, and checking his email and telephone accounts for any correspondence with known pornography offenders. 

What Matheson’s Laptop Could Reveal

Daly says that a thorough review of the lewd images could reveal much about where and how Matheson obtained them, and whether Matheson had a relationship with them.

“Each image has a unique Internet numerical tag which allows it to be tracked as it moves around networks,” said Daly, indicating that Boca Raton, FL-based company TLO specializes in this type of tracking. If the images reflect duplication or enhancement, they could reveal that Matheson also distributed child pornography. And, if the images are unique, it could indicate that Matheson is the original source.

Matheson’s laptop could also reveal whether he received or made payments for the images and videos.

If convicted of possessing child pornography in the U.S., Matheson could face up to 10 years in prison. The punishment for receiving and distributing child pornography in the U.S. is at least five years but not more than 20 years in jail.

Patch also spoke with Evin Daly about the behavior of pedophiles. Stay tuned for our interview.

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