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Former state psychologist faces porn charges

 
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Jul 22, 2008 - 05:22:19 CDT
By DAVE KOLPACK/Associated Press Writer
FARGO - A former psychologist who did evaluations of sex offenders at North Dakota's state mental hospital is facing federal charges of possession of child pornography.

Joseph Belanger, 61, pleaded not guilty Monday to three counts, including possession and receipt of materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors.

Steven Light, Belanger's attorney, said afterward that he has yet to review the evidence. Light said if the allegations prove to be true, "it's further evidence that this type of illness can strike anyone."

Belanger's trial is scheduled Sept. 29.

Belanger, who worked at the State Hospital in Jamestown for more than 20 years, testified in court on whether convicted sex offenders were dangerous and should be confined indefinitely for psychiatric treatment. He was an expert witness in hundreds of cases, Light said.

"He was the go-to guy in the state," Light said.

In Iowa, The Des Moines Register reported in a copyright story that revelations about Belanger led to reviews of more than 145 cases in which he was involved, and to new trials for two sex offenders in that state.

Belanger's testimony isn't likely to affect North Dakota cases because of a law that required supporting testimony from two expert witnesses to justify indefinite confinement of sexually dangerous individuals, state and federal officials said.

The North Dakota Legislature repealed the requirement in 2007. The law now specifies only that expert testimony is needed to establish that someone may be a sexual predator.

Belanger hasn't testified in any federal cases in North Dakota, said Drew Wrigley, the state's U.S. attorney.

Belanger resigned from the hospital last November, admitting in a letter to a North Dakota licensing board that he had an addiction to child pornography. He blamed childhood sexual abuse on the fact he has "been so frightened of the world and of women that I mostly used pornography ... as an outlet."

U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Klein ordered Belanger to report to a halfway house until he can be placed on electronic home monitoring. He's not allowed to have any contact with minors, or have any use of computers and Internet access, Klein said.

The government is asking Belanger to forfeit three computers, along with about a dozen data storage disks.
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Former state psychologist faces porn charges
Comments

Amanda wrote on Jul 23, 2008 2:31 AM:

" I'm with "why"--a kid in the candy store for sure. This heathen helped decide which sex offenders stayed locked up and which ones could get out....all the while he is looking at CHILD P*RN!!?? He's going to somehow weasel his way out of jail time and get probation for the rest of his life.

Racist Biker -- so many on this site have no idea what sarcasm is, don't waste the time to type it out and explain it. "

Check your Facts wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:39 PM:

" The point I was trying to make is that exaggerated or not Why's comments give the assumption that our judicial system is tough on people when in reality it is way too easy. Maybe if they would be a little tougher on citizens or officials we wouldn't have so many repeat offenders and then the prisons wouldn't have the extreme overpopulation they currently battle. "

LJK wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:35 PM:

" So Belanger has pled not guilty, but his own attorney has already gone down the "it's possible" path. It's surprising he made that statement about it being an "illness that can strike anyone" if the allegations are found to be true, as if he is already laying the ground work for sympathy or leniency. Kind of makes it sound like a disease in which the patient has no choice or accountability. "

Racist Biker wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:59 AM:

" Check your facts: Ever hear of exaggeration? I don't think why meant that people that get drug charges meant they literally 'get 10-20 in the pen' I'm pretty sure he was just trying to point out how Jim Bob down the street with no connections would probably get a harsher sentence then this psychologist. If you don't understand the concept of sarcasm or exaggeration you shouldn't be reading the blogs let alone commenting on them. "

Check your facts wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:24 AM:

" To why: I understand where you are coming from as far as he is definately in the wrong position and has too much power considering he obviously has the same illness but I do think you should check your facts before you state what a sentence for a regular citizen would be. People get picked up everyday in our state for drugs and most of the time get nothing more than probation and rehab, for heavier drugs on a first offense they may have to sit a couple of months. The honest truth is our system is way too easy on criminals in general. "

why wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:45 AM:

" Seems to me having a psychologist in charge of sex offenders who assumably has child pornography on his own computer is like putting the child in charge of the candy store. I wonder if the courts will treat him like cops who break the law (resign ) and all is forgiven. If he was a regular citizen and had smoked a joint he would get 10-20 in the pen. "

former student wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:56 AM:

" As stated in the story he was not the only witness and he is still an expert in the area. "

Tommy wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:14 AM:

" Every case that he was an expert wittnes in should be revisited or overturned. "

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