A convicted sex offender in Michigan, who claims to identify as an eight-year-old girl, has been sentenced to at least a decade in prison for possessing numerous images of child pornography on his computer. Joseph Gobrick, 45, argued that the images were computer-animated and therefore protected under the First Amendment, according to a report by WZZM13.
During his sentencing, Gobrick stated, “I’ve always been an 8-year-old girl. And even my drawings and fantasies, I am always an 8-year-old girl.’’
However, police presented disturbing evidence to the court. Investigators identified eight child victims in the pornography found on Gobrick’s computer. Some images depicted children between infancy and five years old being sexually assaulted, according to court records. This evidence directly contradicted Gobrick’s claims of harmless fantasy.
Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Helmer described Gobrick as “a danger to the public.” He further stated, “Even during the trial, the defendant continued to draw, talking about raping babies in the Kent County Jail and making other statements about how this is his constitutional right to continue to do so.” This behavior underscored the severity of the situation and Gobrick’s apparent lack of remorse or understanding of the gravity of his crimes.
Kent County Circuit Court Judge Paul Denenfeld sentenced Gobrick to between 10 and 20 years in prison, according to WZZM13. Denenfeld stated, “Based on everything he’s said and done, including bragging about what he was drawing in his cell, he obviously doesn’t think child sexually abusive material is wrong. This isn’t just virtual stuff; this is also real people being harmed.”
The case took several bizarre turns. Gobrick fired his court-appointed attorney and chose to represent himself at the bench trial. He argued that the images were created using an image manipulation program and were protected under the First Amendment. Denenfeld found him guilty on three counts of child sexually abusive commercial activity and using a computer to commit a crime.
At sentencing, Gobrick maintained his innocence and challenged the legality of his prosecution, stating, “Under the law, Auschwitz was legal. What you’re doing here is wrong, just as Auschwitz was.” This statement drew a disturbing parallel between his prosecution and the atrocities of the Nazi regime, further highlighting the defendant’s distorted perspective.
This case raises complex questions about identity, the limits of free speech, and the protection of children from exploitation. The court’s decision underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for the creation and possession of child pornography, regardless of their claims of artistic expression or personal identity.
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