Ex-professor caught with child pornography gets probation

CHICO » A former Chico State Professor who was caught with child pornography on his phone was sentenced Wednesday to two years probation.

Laird Easton, 64, was issued the sentence by Judge James Reilley who stayed a 90-day jail sentence pending Easton’s probation completion, said a press release issued Wednesday by the Butte County District Attorney’s Office.

Easton was also ordered to register as a sex offender and subsequently go to sex offender treatment.

According to the release, Easton was arrested Jan. 21 after an investigation by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. When deputies served a search warrant, Easton was actively viewing the material when contacted.

Investigators found more than 100 images of pornography in electronic devices owned by Easton.

“During his interview with the Probation Department for the preparation of his sentencing report, Laird said he suffered from a child porn addiction, but justified in his mind that he was hurting no one as he obtained the porn off the internet for free,” the release said. “However, in today’s sentencing hearing, Deputy District Attorney JJ Stark-Modlin informed the judge that the possession of child pornography, regardless if free or paid, creates a market for the molestation of more children.”