73-year-old man sentenced to two years probation for distributing child pornography

MORGANTOWN — A 73-year-old will spend two years on probation for distributing child porn.
Dale A. Watson, of Westover, was sentenced Tuesday in Monongalia County Circuit Court by Judge Susan Tucker. She ordered Watson to serve two years in the state penitentiary for distribution of material of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Tucker suspended the sentence in lieu of probation. He pleaded to having fewer than fifty images.
Watson was also ordered to serve 150 hours of community service each year for the next two years, pay $200 to the Monongalia County Victim’s Assistance Program and follow his sex offender treatment plan.
“I hope you are successful in your supervision because I don’t want to send you to prison, but I assure you I will,” Tucker said.
Following probation, Watson will be on extended supervision for 10 years. He is also required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Tucker explained the lifelong registration was because his conviction involved minors, and while there was no victim in the courtroom his crime affected minors everywhere.
She said people like him perpetuate the child porn as business.
Watson told the court he regrets his actions.
“I assure you this will never happen again,” he said.
Jack Torsney, a therapist specializing in sexual offenders, testified he met with Watson four times to conduct a risk assessment and to develop a treatment plan. He said Watson was a very low risk of offending and has acknowledged his actions were wrong.
Torsney said Watson was a good candidate for alternative sentencing and that he was “scared to death to go in a room with a computer.”
He will continue to see Watson on a bi-weekly basis.
Defense attorney Bryan Edwards asked the court to give Watson probation. He said Watson was an “active and productive member of society,” up until this incident.
Gabrielle Mucciola, prosecutor, recommended two years of incarceration, a $500 fine, continued treatment and community service.
She said she hoped Watson realized the weight of his crime and she trusted Torsney’s recommendation.
Child pornography punishments vary depending on the amount of material possessed. Watson pleaded to having fewer than 50 images — punishable by not more than two years in prison and/or a fine of not more than $2,000.
The Dominion Post previously reported Watson was arrested in January 2017 after the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department received a tip from the West Virginia State Police Crime Against Child unit. The internet address used in that investigation returned to Watson’s residence.