Libraries Target Net Porn
West Virginia libraries have filters at state levelBy GABE WELLS
Article Photos
Fact Box
WHAT IS THE LAW?
In U.S. v. American Library Association, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that a law passed by Congress could protect children from pornography on library computers without violating free speech.
"Because public libraries have traditionally excluded pornographic material from their other collections, Congress could reasonably impose a parallel limitation on its Internet assistance programs," Justice William Rehnquist wrote.
WHEELING - An accused rapist allegedly caught viewing child pornography at the Martins Ferry Public Library probably couldn't have done so in a West Virginia library.
Quentin N. Phillips was held Tuesday in the Belmont County Jail following his arrest Saturday on charges of rape and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a child. Phillips allegedly confessed to having sexual intercourse with a young boy "continuously for several years" after being taken into custody Saturday at the Martins Ferry library.
A librarian saw the 32-year-old Martins Ferry resident looking at the pornography and called police.
West Virginia Library Commission Executive Secretary J.D. Wagoner said his agency pays for the filtering of computers in all public libraries in the Mountain State. The filtering is done by the West Virginia Office of Technology, and Wagoner said it involves both site and key word filtering.
Ohio County Public Library Director Dottie Thomas said West Virginia libraries benefit from the filtering being done on the state level.
"It is very nice because we don't have to worry about installing filters on the computers," Thomas said.
Wagoner said the filters are effective. He noted, however, that those posting pornography work consistently to bypass those filters. He said people posting pornography have additional resources as well.
"Those who host porn sites have more money to invest in getting their content to people than we have to stop them," Wagoner said. "It is a constant security issue."
In addition to filters, Wagoner said there are additional steps that can be taken to prevent pornography from being downloaded on library computers. He said the computers should be placed where they can be seen clearly by library patrons and staff.
"Shame is one of the best filters there is," Wagoner said.
Martins Ferry Public Library Director Yvonne Myers said those using the Internet there must sign an agreement to not view inappropriate material. She said people who violate that agreement are either suspended or banned from the library. Myers said Phillips was coming to the Martins Ferry library almost daily.
"We are not an adult book store, we are a public library," Myers said. "They (staff members) suspected he was looking, but you hope your worst fears aren't true. We don't like to spy as a rule, but it's in a public area so you can't help but see what people are looking at."
Myers said she also wonders if Phillips was hoping to be caught.
"I don't know when it's so blatant," she said. "We do wonder. We didn't hesitate at all when (the librarian) saw what he was doing."
Police reportedly recovered a "flash drive," or portable computer memory device, from Phillips and found173 photos and videos of naked children stored on it.
Some of those pictures showed children engaged in sex acts with each other and with adults. Several other photos were of children being sexually assaulted by adults, according to the city police report.
Martins Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter said Phillips is a former Michigan resident, but Carpenter does not know how long Phillips has lived in Martins Ferry. The chief said investigators do not believe Phillips has a criminal history.
A representative of Belmont County Children's Services was called along with police to execute a search warrant at Phillips' 1825 Hill St. home. Officers recovered a flash drive, a digital camera, a disposable camera, a camcorder videos and nude photos there.
Carpenter credited the staff of the Martins Ferry Public Library for contacting police. He said the situation is disturbing.
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SphinxRising58
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12-08-08 4:09 PM
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Horah for MF Library for helping to catch a child molestor, thumbs up to all who work there :)
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SphinxRising58
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09-18-08 11:38 PM
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JaymeJones: Freedom of speech does not extend to grant anyone the right to view p o r n at the tax payer's expense in a public place, as if people wish to do that, they buy their own computer & view such in the privacy of their own homes. Library's have rules, & viewing such materials is forbidden, as is chatting also ( at least on the computers in Ohio around this area ), & there is not logical excuse why anyone would b viewing that type of material in a public place to start with. You say it is censorship while I say it is just decent behavior that one must maintain while in public, as again, if people want to see that stuff, go buy a computer for themselves & they can look at p o r n all day & night long in their own homes.
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SphinxRising58
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09-18-08 11:28 PM
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UNCOMMONSENSE: Freedom of speech does not extend to grant anyone the right to view p o r n at the tax payer's expense in a public place, as if people wish to do that, they buy their own computer & view such in the privacy of their own homes.
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whisperinghope
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09-18-08 11:47 AM
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I am never surprised at what I read here. I don't believe in government censorship, but a public library is just that, public. Since children go to the library alone and have use of the computers there, a 100% with filters. Some websites such as youtube, as some material not suitable for children. We can't go having in the back rooms at the library!!! Looking up words such as breast cancer and clicking on image can bring pictures up you may not wish a child to see. Solution, have passwords and parental controls. An adult can ask for the password and and well if he is looking at **** he will get caught!! Come on doing this in a library whatelse might he be doing, under the table??? I say congrates to the library.
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JaymeJones
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09-17-08 10:32 PM
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I wonder if he really HAS been molesting that boy for several years, or he lives in some sick fantasy world. I mean, I agree with the Ferry librarian, I think he wanted to get caught. I wonder if he wanted to get caught before he really made the fantasy a reality? Not standing up for him or anything, but sometimes these people live in such a sick place in their minds, they can't tell the difference. And Dawn, don't beat yourself up. You can't know what everyone is up to. You just have to teach your kids what to watch out for and that it's okay to be rude to an adult who tries to abuse them.
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UNCOMMONSENSE
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09-17-08 9:12 PM
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Today Sept 17th, is the 221st anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. The very document in question here. Ellis Wyatt, Good point, FCC censorship has also been challenged as violating the Constitution. And it is not for Government to decide what we the people choose to watch or read. That is OUR choice. I can just as easily name at least 40 books and or publications that can be found in almost every library that would be found offensive by most and dangerous to society by many. Again, do we allow these publications to be removed? I think not. This is the same argument used against guns. It isn't the gun that kills, it is the criminal. It also isn't the internet that caused this incident, it was the perpetrator. So why would we restrict the rights of 99% of American citizens because of the deeds of 1%? The bottom line on internet predator cases is lack of parental supervision. Parents are the BEST firewall against predators.
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EllisWyatt
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09-17-08 7:15 PM
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UNCOMMONSENSE I have to disagree with you. Public computers are in the public domain. Just as we don't allow *********** on ABC or NBC, naked billboards or public sex displays, so we cannot allow children an outlet to be taken advantage of. I know, I sound like a Communist Social Democrat screaming "it's for the children!" but I believe, strongly, that society has an obligation to protect the innocent among us. Nobody forces people to use computers at the public library. Some people will just have to trade in their drug habits and buy a cheap computer for their home.
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UNCOMMONSENSE
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09-17-08 6:37 PM
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Filtering of the internet in a public library is no different than tearing pages out of books or removing certain books because the may offend or the information they contain may be used for evil. It ia a FLAGRANT violation of the First Amendment. This is what Communist China is doing! As I stated MANY times before, this is just one more notch in the police state manifesto. Remember, "he who controls information, controls the world." Constitution NOW or Communism later!
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DawnNic16
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09-17-08 4:54 PM
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yeah tell me about it....that guy was caught with a four year old forcing her to watch ****. All this is all very scary, I'm scared of sending my daughter outside.Not only sending her outside but who to even talk to. I mean we were all worried about this other guy who was a childmolster we were interacting with Nate or should I say Quenton. Here this man was right in front of our faces everyday and we all did not think twice. Its very sad, sick and scary. To think may of us let our children interact with him...my god...what is this world coming to
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junebug
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09-17-08 11:29 AM
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DawnNic16 please check out the newest article, another Martins Ferry man, Phillips' neighbor, was arrested for gross sexual imposition yesterday. If you have kids keep them locked up in the neighborhood. Very Scary isn't it.
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DawnNic16
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09-17-08 10:45 AM
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I have to comment on this one because I feel as person who knew him and live by him I have to say something. Someone asked how people didn't speak up about him that is because he hid it very well. He interacted with everyone in his neighborhood, he went to church every Sunday faithfully, he went to boy scouts and took his son camping. We did have our suspicions about things but none of us ever questioned anything. What makes me sick very sick is that he interacted with all the children where he lived and to think he played with all of them. I mean I have lived him for 4 years and have known him that long. All I can say is he needs locked up and throw aay the key!
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Katabatic
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09-17-08 10:44 AM
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Ellis, when are you going to stop handling these guys with kid gloves and really get tough ? lol
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BurningUp07
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09-17-08 10:31 AM
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This is one of many reasons why you wash your hands right after you use a public computer. I hope this piece of garbage gets whats coming to him.
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junebug
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09-17-08 9:14 AM
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I may sound nieve, however, how does someone have sexual relations with a young boy "continuously for several years" without anyone finding out about it or the "young boy" not talking? Kids talk. Shouldn't parents, relatives, friends, teachers have know something? This poor kid must be really messed up. Also, how can or does someone have pictures (****) of kids -- why would a kid even do this for someone else. I am not defending Phillips in NO way, I just don't understand. Anyway, GOOD JOB library officials. Keep up the monitoring.
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acousticportal
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09-17-08 8:52 AM
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Any adult who has this incurable illness can never be around children again the rest of their lives. Surely there's some useful disposition of these animals...like turning a grist-mill or digging coal by hand.
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EllisWyatt
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09-17-08 6:08 AM
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If this guy was really having sex with a young boy for years, here is the solution: 1. Have him admit his guilt on public television. 2. Throw him into a violent prision and tell the convicts what he did. Tell them they can do what they want for a month but they cannot kill him. 3. Put him in solitary confinement for 20 years. 4. Bring him down to the port ampitheater and, after stating the reason, crucify him so that passing motorists, boaters and pedestrians can view him. Show it on TV in schools and public buildings. If we actually treated violent criminals like, I don't know, criminals, maybe, we would have less crime. Just a thought.
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PCGS70
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09-17-08 2:21 AM
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Before I got a computer I used the Ohio County Public Library Computers in Wheeling WV and I didn't have any problems at all. Anytime I had a question the girl was helpful. I had good service and they helped me learn. It was free.
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JaymeJones
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09-17-08 1:15 AM
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So let me get this straight. West Virginia filters the Internet for its library patrons. So, because there might be some weird pedophile here and there, the freedoms of the rest of the users are censored and curtailed by the state? I don't like the sounds of that. For anyone who has come into contact with a filtered Internet, you know that there can be completely innocent words and phrases that get blocked. Try doing a search for breast cancer or sexually transmitted diseases on those West Virginia library computers, and see how far you get. I think it's better to do like Ferry does, and have someone kind of keep an eye on the computers and the people who are using them.
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