Sex-Messaging Gets Teen in Trouble

Phillip Alpert just turned 18 and is now facing criminal charges for sending a naked picture of his girlfriend to dozens of her friends and family, according to CNN. The Florida couple was in an argument when the event took place."It was a stupid thing I did because I was upset and tired and it was the middle of the night and I was an immature kid," said Alpert. Alpert, whose girlfriend is 16, was arrested and charged with child pornography. He pleaded no contest but was later convicted. Alpert was sentenced with five years probation and is now a registered sex offender. The young man is not happy with the apparent justice of the sentencing."You will find me on the registered sex offender list next to people who have raped children, molested kids, things like that, because I sent child pornography. You think child pornography, you think 6-year-old, 3-year-old little kids who can't think for themselves, who are taken advantage of. That really wasn't the case," said Alpert. Larry Walters, Alpert's attorney, is currently fighting to get his name removed from the sex-offender registry. He agrees that the law may need amendment."Sexting is treated as child pornography in almost every state and it catches teens completely off guard because this is a fairly natural and normal thing for them to do. It is surprising to us as parents, but for teens it's part of their culture," said Walters.