We wrote recently about a former radio disc jockey who lives about 75 miles north of Pittsburgh. He has been arrested for possession of child pornography, pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced.

WFMJ-TV reports that the judge in the case has received about a dozen letters from business people and others in the area asking for mercy in the case. One letter says the DJ "is a good man who made a terrible mistake." Another letter states that if the former popular radio personality is given another chance, he "will return to being a productive, law-abiding citizen of our community."

These are the kinds of testimonials that can help a judge make up his mind while  weighing sentencing options.

The DJ and his attorneys seek probation in his case rather than a prison sentence. He faces a possible 10 years in prison.

The former disc jockey might take heart from a case in Warminster, Pennsylvania, where a man there has avoided prison for downloading child porn.

He will have to serve six months to 23 months of house arrest, however, and he will have to register as a sex offender for the next decade.

The 43-year-old married father of three pleaded guilty this past spring to child pornography possession and criminal use of a communications device.

As part of his sentence, the judge has forbidden the man from using the internet at his home.

The man also had co-workers and friends send letters to the judge, urging a second chance for a family man who had made a mistake.

With friends, co-workers and community members willing to step up, and an attorney who can make a strong case to a court, some accused of sex crimes are able to avoid the harsh punishments that are possible in these cases.

Source: PhillyBurbs.com: "Warminster man gets house arrest for child porn" by Laurie Mason Schroeder: Aug. 24, 2011

WFMJ: "Letters pour into the judge supporting Scott Kennedy" by Talia Hagler: Aug. 17, 2011