All individuals convicted of a federal child porn violation are subjected to sex offender registration. A condition of probation, parole, or release is always that the defendant adhere to applicable sex offender registration laws such as Megan’s Law.
In 2006, the federal government passed the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) that requires registration by those convicted of certain crimes, including child pornography. This law mandates that offenders “register and maintain current information in each jurisdiction in which he is convicted, employed, resides, or attends school, and also report on a periodic basis to the local authorities responsible for monitoring registered sex offenders.”
If you are charged with receipt or possession of child porn, you will likely be identified as a “Tier I” offender under this law. “Tier I” offenders pose a low risk to society and are required to register for 15 years. The Act identifies those who produce or distribute child pornography as a “Tier II” offender. “Tier II” offenders must register for 25 years since they pose a moderate risk to society.
Failure to register as required by the Act results in an additional offense that has a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
