A former Oregon mayor pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one count of possessing child pornography.
Dennis Doyle, 73, who formerly served as Beaverton, Oregon, mayor, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to the sole count, according to a Department of Justice statement.
Between November 2014 and December 2015, Doyle knowingly possessed digital media containing child pornography, according to court records. Several of the images Doyle possessed were of children under the age of 12 who had been identified as known sexually exploited minors by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the DOJ stated.
Doyle will be sentenced January 24, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman.
“You know, we make mistakes.” Doyle said as he exited the courtroom, according to a report from The Oregonian. The report noted an old computer thumb drive containing the pornography and other personal material belonging to Doyle was turned over to authorities, which led to the charge.
In a plea agreement filed in court Tuesday afternoon, Oregon’s U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight will recommend Doyle face a sentence of one year and one day. That would basically allow him to serve less than one year imprisonment. Federal prisoners may only obtain early release for good behavior if their sentence is longer than one year.
The agreement also stipulates five-years probation after release from prison. Doyle will also be required to register as a sex offender under the plea agreement.
Recommendations are not set in stone. Doyle and his lawyer may argue for a lower sentence and the judge, who is not bound by the U.S. Attorney’s recommendation, may impose a greater sentence.
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