A former member of the community, not extremely active on GBAtemp but known for contributions to several projects on the 3DS hacking scene, Thomas Edvalson aka 'Cruel', has recently received a 20 year jail sentence for supposedly hosting a child porn site (although he firmly denied it).

Thomas Scot Edvalson, 28, appeared to be providing a website where other users could download images of child porn, according to a press release form the District Attorney’s Office. The site came complete with an online guide detailing how to use the dark web to set up a website for trading pictures of child sexual abuse.

Source: Gwinnett Daily Post
A thread was started on GBAtemp to discuss the issue a couple of months ago, before the final judgement was rendered. At the time our decision was to lock the thread up as it began to heavily derail. Some members and visitors took this as a 'cover up' and wondered why we didn't ban this guy's user account on GBAtemp.

We had long discussions in the staff forum and decided to wait for the final verdict (the appeal that is) before doing anything, thereby letting justice do its work. We banned this person from our forums immediately after we heard the final judgement and by the looks of it he won't be around again for a while. Since then, there hasn't been any new threads about the story but if there had been one, we would have allowed it for sure.

At this point we are wondering why anyone would think we are 'covering' this up? Why would we even need to? It's not like people don't know what happened already. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in this thread.

Furthermore, there is an ongoing story concerning another person, it's been posted on a Reddit thread (edit: now removed, but you can see screenshots here) and, again, we certainly won't prevent you from discussing it wherever you want just as long as you stay civil.

We at GBAtemp value freedom of speech above all, but within the boundaries of the law. If you think someone is guilty of a crime it is your duty to report it to the relevant authorities (not the GBAtemp admins, I mean the police). But otherwise let justice do its job. We do not believe that witch hunts have their place on GBAtemp.


The staff

 

[smf]

There was a slight discussion when it became apparent that many places have laws that saw "looks like" via makeup/cgi/drawing also count. I am not sure why in every case it is done (with no harm done it is then either going to have to be deemed corrupting/enabling/normalising material, which is a hard argument to make, or done such that it handily blocks an avenue a defence lawyer might use -- first prove it is a real person and all that) but it is what it is.

I believe they are trying to avoid normalising, because of fear that it will be a gateway to actual abuse. I don't know how much research has been done into how often this happens, I suspect they prioritise investigations where people are involved. So they can only know who have progressed, not how many didn't & I suspect they are more interested in punishing/correcting than identifying the progression. It's an emotive issue though, they don't need facts to convince anyone of anything.

something like the UK laws on teachers/carers/positions of power raising age of are seen to conflict with some notion of freedom, possibly despite then saying but it should be 18) and eyebrow raised for places where being a woman does not make for an easier time of it all.

Yeah the position of trust laws are strange, a maximum age gap would be much more logical. However I believe it has a lesser impact on freedom the way it is as it's only people in a position of trust who have less freedom & they are paid. The length of childhood has been extended, partly to massage the employment figures. Sixty years ago people left school when they were 14 and had to start work, now you can't leave education until you're 18.

You need a license to drive a car, you need permission to make changes to your house, but we leave the most damaging decisions down to the number of days you've been alive.

 

[pcs3rd]

November 19, 2012. On November 26, 2012, the State consented to a pretrial aggregate bond in the amount of $12,000. The bond order contained two express special conditions: 1. No computers / smart phones/ internet enabled appliances (Smart TV’s, etc.) in [Edvalson’s] house. 2. No unsupervised contact with children under 16 years of age. On April 24, 2013, Edvalson was indicted on four counts of sexual exploitation of children for, on September 18, 2012, knowingly possessing digital images depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. See former OCGA § 16-12-100 (b) (8), supra. On November 5, 2014, the State filed in superior court an emergency motion to revoke bond, contending that Edvalson had violated the conditions of his bond. During the hearing in the matter on November 7, 2014, at which both Edvalson and his counsel were present, a police detective, who was a certified forensic computer examiner, testified that 161 images of confirmed child pornography were found on Edvalson’s computer; that there was evidence that he had been online since November 26, 2012, the date of the bond.


This seems to be concerning to him. But in the long run, it probably does not help that people used his software for pirating software.

 

[The Catboy]

November 19, 2012. On November 26, 2012, the State consented to a pretrial aggregate bond in the amount of $12,000. The bond order contained two express special conditions: 1. No computers / smart phones/ internet enabled appliances (Smart TV’s, etc.) in [Edvalson’s] house. 2. No unsupervised contact with children under 16 years of age. On April 24, 2013, Edvalson was indicted on four counts of sexual exploitation of children for, on September 18, 2012, knowingly possessing digital images depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. See former OCGA § 16-12-100 (b) (8), supra. On November 5, 2014, the State filed in superior court an emergency motion to revoke bond, contending that Edvalson had violated the conditions of his bond. During the hearing in the matter on November 7, 2014, at which both Edvalson and his counsel were present, a police detective, who was a certified forensic computer examiner, testified that 161 images of confirmed child pornography were found on Edvalson’s computer; that there was evidence that he had been online since November 26, 2012, the date of the bond.


This seems to be concerning to him. But in the long run, it probably does not help that people used his software for pirating software.

There is nothing in his case files mentioning freeShop nor any of his other homebrew. That being said, freeShop is not illegal, I've already made a long winded thread about it. Nonetheless, they wouldn't have brought freeShop up because that's a completely different case and would involve completely different people.

 

[pcs3rd]

There is nothing in his case files mentioning freeShop nor any of his other homebrew. That being said, freeShop is not illegal, I've already made a long winded thread about it. Nonetheless, they wouldn't have brought freeShop up because that's a completely different case and would involve completely different people.

I know, Also , I am even more confused bc of this? Possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. (patch.com)

 

[The Catboy]

I know, Also , I am even more confused bc of this? Possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. (patch.com)

There are most likely details that haven't been released yet.

 

[pcs3rd]

And If I remember correctly, c

I know, Also , I am even more confused bc of this? Possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. (patch.com)

car modders actually ran into a similar problem with manufacturers (in the u.s.) and in the end they had basically said that "you own it, you mod it" and the car manufacturers settled down a little. http://www.maxconsole.com/threads/it’s-finally-legal-to-hack-your-own-devices-even-your-car.43098/ (in reference to you is it legal? thread.)
and by the look of this, looks like he was on probation? as in no electronics?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...QaCZ0KUAeKyeUIqtw&sig2=o2mVL7Xx3MdXmhvu7C1v3Q

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

And If I remember correctly, c

car modders actually ran into a similar problem with manufacturers (in the u.s.) and in the end they had basically said that "you own it, you mod it" and the car manufacturers settled down a little. http://www.maxconsole.com/threads/it’s-finally-legal-to-hack-your-own-devices-even-your-car.43098/ (in reference to you is it legal? thread.)
and by the look of this, looks like he was on probation? as in no electronics?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiXw-_5rM3TAhVD64MKHQFaDsMQFggzMAI&url=http://cases.justia.com/georgia/supreme-court/2016-s15a1869.pdf?ts=1457357464&usg=AFQjCNHdBoMudEA_nQaCZ0KUAeKyeUIqtw&sig2=o2mVL7Xx3MdXmhvu7C1v3Q

but in my opinion, this legal issue sounds like a stupid, chaotic madhouse.

 

[Joe88]

I know, Also , I am even more confused bc of this? Possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. (patch.com)

The problem wasn't just possession but also distribution of it which carries a 15 year sentence

 

[pcs3rd]

I know this because I'm his brother. He didn't have a second site. He only had that one programming site.

OK.If you are his brother, according to the (patch.com) the max is a 10 yr sentence? I was really enjoying is apps, good luck. and can authorities even confirm that he was actually hosting it?

 

[britain4]

I've always wondered how many people must be "paedophiles" in the sense they are sexually attracted to minors but repressing all of their thoughts and not committing any crimes. Must be a horrible way to live if that's what your orientation is, not to mention a barrier to a normal healthy relationship.

I wonder how easy it is to get help if that's the position you're in. Maybe if people were more able to do so without fear of being ostracised we would see fewer crimes like this.

That said, I agree with the sentence given to him (assuming he was guilty of course). Acting upon such thoughts has to be one of the most damaging things you can do to a vulnerable person and their families

 

[alpmaster]

Again, his site was spammed. They used the only images that were spammed in his case (including the "how-to" image, which is spam), making him look horrible. I agree on your advice and completely understand. Thank you.

When did Freeshop get released?

 

[vinstage]

When did Freeshop get released?

OT

 

[KingpinSlim]

I've always wondered how many people must be "paedophiles" in the sense they are sexually attracted to minors but repressing all of their thoughts and not committing any crimes. Must be a horrible way to live if that's what your orientation is, not to mention a barrier to a normal healthy relationship.

I wonder how easy it is to get help if that's the position you're in. Maybe if people were more able to do so without fear of being ostracised we would see fewer crimes like this.

That said, I agree with the sentence given to him (assuming he was guilty of course). Acting upon such thoughts has to be one of the most damaging things you can do to a vulnerable person and their families

I could not comment on most of what you said, but what i do know, i will share.
Therapies do exist. Some therapists even claim to be experts on this specific subject matter.
Few seek help in fear of being branded for the rest of their life and therapy itself, yields no promising results.
That is as much as i know from reading the news.
It is however obvious to me that, no matter how hard therapists may work, hardly any positive results are to be expected.
Sexual Conversion therapy has been tried for decades.
It wasn't effective on LGBT-individuals and it will not be effective on any other subset of humanity.
Sexuality is not something someone can chose, it is something someone is born with.
In some cases it is a curse, damning a good person to a life without any fulfillment.
In other cases it is a catalyst which fuels bad people to follow their specific desires.
In any case they are damned to a life without being able to find closeness and comfort in the company of another being.
I do not condone any of it, nor do i wish to accept it, but knowing this, i pity them.
I don't want to see them dead or tortured. I want them to be helped.
No one deserves this.

 

[_Mary_]

OMG! is this the same TentaCruel i talked to before? he sounds nice and he never mentioned anything. Pedophilia is crazy! ahem*

 

[vinstage]

OMG! is this the same TentaCruel i talked to before? he sounds nice and he never mentioned anything. Pedophilia is crazy! ahem*

I mean, if you read through some of the posts by other users, his brother has stated that it isn't true. He was wrongly convicted.
It's a mixed argument, but for now his account is banned and he's been deemed guilty in legal terms. He made no connections of paedophilia to this site luckily. However without knowing him personally, I can't say he had no connections to it. He may be guilty, but a lot of me wants to believe he's innocent.
However, after investigating, the police are convinced he's guilty and thus was charged.

 

[dimmidice]

He was wrongly convicted.

His brother CLAIMS he was wrongly convicted. That's a big difference. Not to mention he has no proof that he's innocent too.

However, after investigating, the police are convinced he's guilty and thus was charged.

No, he was charged years ago, and has now been convicted. Those are two entirely different things.

 

[vinstage]

His brother CLAIMS he was wrongly convicted. That's a big difference. Not to mention he has no proof that he's innocent too.

No, he was charged years ago, and has now been convicted. Those are two entirely different things.

Fair enough, thanks for correcting me.

 

[Kioku]

I know, Also , I am even more confused bc of this? Possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. (patch.com)

From the way things sound? This is beyond basic possession. They make it seem like he was hosting and distributing files pertaining to CP.

 

[britain4]

I could not comment on most of what you said, but what i do know, i will share.
Therapies do exist. Some therapists even claim to be experts on this specific subject matter.
Few seek help in fear of being branded for the rest of their life and therapy itself, yields no promising results.
That is as much as i know from reading the news.
It is however obvious to me that, no matter how hard therapists may work, hardly any positive results are to be expected.
Sexual Conversion therapy has been tried for decades.
It wasn't effective on LGBT-individuals and it will not be effective on any other subset of humanity.
Sexuality is not something someone can chose, it is something someone is born with.
In some cases it is a curse, damning a good person to a life without any fulfillment.
In other cases it is a catalyst which fuels bad people to follow their specific desires.
In any case they are damned to a life without being able to find closeness and comfort in the company of another being.
I do not condone any of it, nor do i wish to accept it, but knowing this, i pity them.
I don't want to see them dead or tortured. I want them to be helped.
No one deserves this.

Agreed. It's a terrible thing to be afflicted with.

 

[Sketchy1]

OK.If you are his brother, according to the (patch.com) the max is a 10 yr sentence? I was really enjoying is apps, good luck. and can authorities even confirm that he was actually hosting it?

They can't exactly prove that he was hosting it himself, it's more his negligence of maintaining his site that did him in (assuming his spam countercase was true)

Plus it was an ongoing case, so for them to find this now despite him being charged years ago, and the fact that he went to a computer despite him being legally obligated not too, puts enough doubt in a jury's mind to convict him

 

[SuzieJoeBob]

I've never understood how someone can be sexually attracted to children. Depending on the age the predator is targeting, the children can barely even talk in sentences, but yet they want to exploit the kids and take away their innocence? What is wrong with them.