PLYMOUTH, Minn. – Upon recent reports revealing Minnesota’s weak sentencing guidelines for child predators, Republican Attorney General candidate Jim Schultz calls on Minnesota lawmakers to pass legislation to strengthen penalties for persons convicted of the possession, distribution, or production of child pornography.

“Child pornography and exploitation are the embodiment of evil. I am deeply troubled by recent reports that the overwhelming majority of child predators in Minnesota receive very light sentences,” Schultz said. “We must protect our children from those who would exploit them, and prosecutors and law enforcement must have the tools and support to serve this critical function. When I am Attorney General there will be no greater priority than protecting our children.”

Schultz also pointed to recent proposed legislation, the Protect Minnesota Kids Act, proceeding in the legislature this year, as an important starting point for strengthening Minnesota law in this area. The proposed legislation seeks to adopt the federal criminal code’s standards for sentencing persons convicted of possession, distribution, production, and receipt of child pornography, and increased allowable penalties for possession of child sexual abuse imagery when the victim is under age 12.

“We must have severe penalties for this despicable conduct,” Schultz said. “Our lawmakers should be able to put aside differences and protect children—I am calling on the legislature to do just that this session.”