High school deaf interpreter gets 20 years for child porn
By Kristen Zambo, Naples Daily News
A former Fort Myers High School deaf interpreter was sentenced to 20 years in prison today for transporting more than 4,000 pictures of child pornography.
William Allen Lane, 34, of North Fort Myers, was arrested and charged in August with one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. In exchange for his guilty plea in December, prosecutors dropped the possession of child pornography charge.
Investigators were tipped off to Lane after a North Fort Myers tattoo artist told Lee County Sheriff’s investigators that Lane e-mailed him some of the pictures, saying they could serve as payment for a tattoo Lane wanted.
U.S. District Judge John Steele today questioned Lane and his attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Martin DerOvanesian, about Lane’s false statements to the Lee County School District to gain employment there.
"It sure looks to me like he lied, so I’d like him to address that," Steele said.
Lane said he created lies in his employment background to secure a job.
"I kinda created a fantasy life to cope. Those statements came from that fantasy life," Lane said. "I did what I had to do to get that position and obtain employment here in Southwest Florida."
Lane said he was sexually abused as a youngster and added that he knew what he had done was wrong.
"I know in the eyes of the law I am viewed as a monster, but I am a caring person," he said.
His attorney advocated a non-prison sentence focused on rehabilitation. Instead, Steele sentenced Lane, a first-time offender, to 20 years. When he is released he will be under lifetime supervision including drug and alcohol counseling and sex offender counseling. He also must register as sex offender, have no contact with anyone under 18, stay away from places where minors congregate and more.