Charlie Smith’s article, “Westbrook man jailed for possession of child porn,” in the March 1 American Journal, left me in a state of disbelief.

According to Detective Sgt. Steve Lyons, Gary Foley possessed “hundreds of pictures and videos of child pornography.” Apparently, many of them depicted children under the age of 10. Foley admitted to lusting after his tenant’s daughter and her friend, so much so that he burglarized his tenant’s apartment to steal photographs of the little girls, presumably to enhance his sexual fantasies regarding them. Disturbing.

Mr. Foley received a grand total of six months in county jail and two years of probation, but fear not, the probation includes “conditions.” Doesn’t probation always include “conditions?” By the way, what are these “conditions,” anyway?

My disbelief was then galvanized when Detective Sgt. Lyons bragged, “This is a message to all those who engage in this filthy and disgusting act of possession of child pornography. It won’t be tolerated in Westbrook.” What a ridiculous statement. Mr. Foley received the proverbial slap on the wrist. Perhaps Foley’s attorney, Mr. DeGrinney is especially gifted.

All parties involved in the prosecution of Gary Foley should be ashamed.

Timothy Madsen

Westbrook