Charles Rust-Tierney
Encyclopedia
Charles Rust-Tierney, 51, is a former president of the Virginia
chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU) from 2002 to 2005. On February 23, 2007, Rust-Tierney was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography
. He pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography on June 1, 2007.
At the time of his arrest, Rust-Tierney was a member of the Virginia ACLU's board of directors, but he resigned his position after he was arrested. Rust-Tierney also performed a role under Volunteers in Service to America
for the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. He has been an advocate for civil rights, and was a faculty member at the Benchmark Institute (an institution centering on social justice
and "fostering change to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population").
in Alexandria, Virginia
. He was formally accused of receiving and possessing child pornography, and investigators offered evidence obtained as a result of searching his home.
Prior to this, Rust-Tierney had argued in court on behalf of his client, the ACLU, against anti-pornography filters on public library computers.
On May 10, 2007, Rust-Tierney was indicted by a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, on one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. On June 1, 2007, he pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography. On September 7, 2007, Rust-Tierney was sentenced to seven years in federal prison. On April 25, 2008, the Virginia State Bar
Disciplinary Board revoked his bar license. He is currently incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Jesup, Georgia, a medium security facility housing male offenders. He is scheduled to be released on March 30, 2012.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
(ACLU) from 2002 to 2005. On February 23, 2007, Rust-Tierney was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography
Child pornography
Child pornography refers to images or films and, in some cases, writings depicting sexually explicit activities involving a child...
. He pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography on June 1, 2007.
At the time of his arrest, Rust-Tierney was a member of the Virginia ACLU's board of directors, but he resigned his position after he was arrested. Rust-Tierney also performed a role under Volunteers in Service to America
Volunteers in Service to America
VISTA or Volunteers in Service to America is an anti-poverty program created by Lyndon Johnson's Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as the domestic version of the Peace Corps. Initially, the program increased employment opportunities for conscientious people who felt they could contribute tangibly to...
for the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. He has been an advocate for civil rights, and was a faculty member at the Benchmark Institute (an institution centering on social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
and "fostering change to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population").
Child pornography scandal
Rust-Tierney was arrested on charges of possession of child pornography on February 23, 2007. Federal investigators tracked the use of Rust-Tierney's credit card and web site pornography habits over a period of several years. Rust-Tierney's preliminary hearing was held on Wednesday February 28, 2007, at the United States district courtUnited States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
. He was formally accused of receiving and possessing child pornography, and investigators offered evidence obtained as a result of searching his home.
Prior to this, Rust-Tierney had argued in court on behalf of his client, the ACLU, against anti-pornography filters on public library computers.
On May 10, 2007, Rust-Tierney was indicted by a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, on one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. On June 1, 2007, he pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography. On September 7, 2007, Rust-Tierney was sentenced to seven years in federal prison. On April 25, 2008, the Virginia State Bar
Virginia State Bar
Created in 1938, The Virginia State Bar is the administrative agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia whose purpose is to regulate, improve and advance the legal profession in Virginia. The Bar was established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly and is delegated the power to issue...
Disciplinary Board revoked his bar license. He is currently incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Jesup, Georgia, a medium security facility housing male offenders. He is scheduled to be released on March 30, 2012.