Connecticut Police Captain in Child Porn Case

(Hartford, Connecticut) Former Granby Police Capt. David Bourque, 51, appeared in court last week for sentencing on federal charges of possessing and distributing child pornography.

David Bourque pleaded guilty last year after he was caught with more than 26,000 still and video images of child pornography. Federal authorities said it was one of the largest and most disturbing child pornography cases they've seen.

During Friday's sentencing hearing, Bourque told a federal judge in Hartford that he lost his way and "spiraled out of control."

In court papers filed Wednesday, Richard Brown, an attorney for Bourque, had argued for a lighter sentence based on an evaluation by a psychologist that concluded Bourque suffered PTSD, affecting his judgment.

Although Bourque had faced a possible 20-year stretch, he was sentenced to only 10 years in federal prison because of judgment-impairing-stress he had experienced during his time as a police officer.

It seems a precedent has been set. The consequences of criminal behavior can be minimized if perpetrators can convincing claim they were stressed-out.

Tip: slwlion