Former Editor/Publisher Sentenced on Child Porn Charge

By: A former West Texas newspaper editor and publisher was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday on a child pornography charge.

Richard Ellsworth McLaughlin, former editor and publisher of the weekly Winkler County News, had pleaded guilty in September to possessing child pornography.

McLaughlin, 62, was arrested in August after investigators found 600 minutes of child pornography videos on computers seized from his house and his newspaper office.

U.S. District Judge Rob Junell said he gave McLaughlin the maximum sentence because of the 34 videos containing child pornography that were found on McLaughlin?s computer. He ordered McLaughlin sent to a federal men?s prison in Butner, N.C., that offers treatment for sex offenders and the mentally ill.

Once he leaves prison, McLaughlin will be on supervised release for 20 years.

McLaughlin apologized to his family, friends and victims of child pornography as he stood before the court in an orange jumpsuit and shackles, the Odessa American reported in its online edition.

?Although I didn?t create the images, I participated in my own small way,? he said. He asked for leniency, citing his work with civic organizations in Kermit and his care of his ailing mother.

?I have come into no contact at any time with a real or recognized person,? he said. ?I have shared no images with others.?

He suggested that if he were released early he could work with church or charitable groups.

?Certainly, a National Public Radio program to read newspapers to the blind has my name all over it,? he told the judge.