Re: Freedom of speech dies a little each day
@scrubber
Is that seriously how your mind works?
The text messages were sufficient cause for an investigation.
That's how investigations start.
If it had turned out they were actors practicing their role in some new anti-child abuse movie (or whatever other far-fetched excuse you can think of), then obviously the result of the investion would be different.
Seriously, if someone had been overheard plotting a terrorist attack, or murdering someone, and the police didn't investigate because "well, he was just talking, not doing" would you think that was a reasonable response if it turned out one of your family members was the victim?
Incidentally, long story, but many years ago I accidentally (i.e. I wasn't looking for it) found someone distributing hard core child porn via a server I used. I reported it, and the Uk police followed up. A few weeks later, i got a phone call to tell me that my information had led them to someone who had sick child porn on his computer. and photos pinned up on his walls, and from his personal diary it was probably not long before he would act personally on his feelings.
He would be prosecuted, and there was enough evidence that I wouldn't be needed as any sort of witness.
I don't know if they would have ever told me his name - unfortunately I didn't get a chance to ask, because I was out and someone else took a message for me.
My point is, do you think they would prosecute someone just on the basis of "some email from some random internet geek?"
Biting the hand that feeds IT
