Many people in the Columbia, Missouri, area may be familiar with the concept of double jeopardy in criminal cases. The Constitution guarantees that people cannot be placed twice in jeopardy for the same offense. However, the concept generally does not apply when state and federal prosecutors each take a bite at bringing criminal charges.

A recent story out of Lincoln County highlights how a person accused of an offense may have to defend against charges in both state and federal court. Authorities claim that the man surreptitiously videotaped boys in the shower area at a Missouri summer camp between 2007 and 2012.

The Winfield, Missouri, man is a former middle school teacher. He was arrested last year on suspicion of videotaping boys in various stages of dress at an educational camp in Cuivre River State Park. He was charged in state court with possession of child pornography. But, federal officials also jumped into the fray and brought a string of federal charges alleging unlawful production of child pornography under federal law.

The man pleaded guilty to eight counts in the federal case, and he also entered a guilty plea in the state court case. On September 9 in the state case, the Missouri judge sentenced the man to seven years in prison. The judge ordered that the state sentence run concurrent with any future federal sentence imposed in federal court.

The man faces 15 to 30 years on each of the eight counts in federal court. Although he has already pleaded guilty to the federal charges, he has yet to be sentenced in federal court.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Former Fort Zumwalt math teacher gets 7 years for videotaping campers in shower,” Sept. 16, 2013