Magnolia man given probation for child porn
MAGNOLIA, TX -- A 37-year-old Magnolia man was sentenced to probation last week after pleading guilty to third-degree felony possession of child pornography.
James Mitchell Helfer, 37, admitted to sitting at his computer and watching more than 50 videos of children being sexually abused by adult men.
Helfer pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, a felony offense. His punishment doesn't involve jail time. He is on probation for now. If he does nothing to violate it, he can just walk away from this whole thing.
"It's almost as if it never happened," said Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Tyler Dunman.
Dunman tells Eyewitness News his office sought the maximum sentence -- 10 years in prison.
Judge Kelly Case gave Helfer the minimum sentence instead.
"He has some restricted access to computers, although the judge will allow him to use a computer for work. He can also travel around the country freely as part of his job, things that we hoped wouldn't be part of that," said DA Dunman.
Families in Magnolia are shocked this man is not behind bars.
"Now we're just going to have a repeat offender out on the streets, and giving him the opportunity to do it again because he only got a slap on the wrist," said resident Megan Pounds.
Our calls to Judge Kelly case's office for comment were not returned.
Read more from The Courier of Montgomery County, a Houston Community Newspaper partner
