Sex offender could receive no jail time

A Gardnerville man who admitted downloading five images of pornography involving children may serve no time in prison, depending on a psycho-sexual evaluation and District Court Judge Michael P. Gibbons' decision on how to use it.

William Kelly Jones, 47, pleaded guilty Monday to five counts of possession of child pornography -- real photographs, not computer-generated images, of children under 16 involved in sexual acts.

"Do you know any of these children?" Gibbons asked.

"No," Jones said.

"Was there any doubt that these children are under 16?" the judge asked.

"No doubt," Jones said.

"And they were engaging in sexual acts?" Gibbons asked.

"Yes, sir," Jones replied.

Possession of child pornography is punishable by one to six years in the Nevada State Prison. Gibbons could decide to place Jones on probation or sentence him to one to six years for each count or for all counts.

The Douglas County District Attorney's Office initially charged Jones with 10 counts of possession of child pornography.

"(The drop in charges) is part of the plea negotiation," said Deputy District Attorney Kristine Brown. "We could have convicted him with 100 (counts) or more. We're just looking to give the judge a broad sentencing range."

The psycho-sexual evaluation, according to Laurie Vela of the county parole and probation department, gives Gibbons an alternate sentencing option for Jones, whose next hearing is scheduled for March 3.

Unlike other felonies, which can be sealed after 15 years without other convictions, a sexual offender's record follows him forever, Gibbons said.

"What you need to know is that this is going to follow you around for years," Gibbons told Jones.

The pictures were allegedly found on Jones' computer. After the Douglas County Sheriff's Office issued a warrant for his arrest, he turned himself in Dec. 9 at the Minden substation.