PASCAGOULA, MS (WLOX) -
A former Ocean Springs police officer is going to jail. Earlier this
year, Steve Futral pleaded guilty to five counts of child exploitation
for downloading child pornography onto his personal and work computers.
Friday, he was in court to learn his fate.
Steve Futral came into
Judge Dale Harkey's courtroom showing little emotion. That changed
quickly when the judge asked if he had anything to say before handing
down the sentence. He almost broke down.
"The only thing I'd
like to say, first to the city and people of Ocean Springs, I am deeply
sorry for letting you down. Second, to my family, I am so sorry," Futral
told the judge.
Judge Harkey said he's worried about the
increase in child pornography cases and it's effect on society, before
sentencing Futral to five years in prison.
"I can't help but think it destroys humanity and individuals who engages in voyeurism," Judge Harkey said.
District Attorney Tony Lawrence expressed concern for victims of this type of crime.
"Child
pornography crime is not a victimless crime. There's some child that
was victimized," Lawrence said. "There is a recording of a child being
victimized for sexual perversion and we can't have that in our society.
It is sad when a law enforcement officer was the defendant in this case
but he should be held accountable like everyone else."
Futral's attorney, Calvin Taylor, feels the sentence was fair under the circumstances.
"Steve
admitted that he possessed the images and I think it's an appropriate
sentence and he feels it was an appropriate sentence," Taylor said.
"He's already served a little over a year in jail so he'll serve about
four more years but I think that justice was served."
In addition to the prison time, Futral was fined $12,500, and will also have to register as a sex offender once he is released.
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In court Friday morning, Steve Futral was emotional and remorseful, apologizing for his actions, and the harm done to his family and the community.
