Winchester Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Aladdin Winchester, the Scotts Valley TV owner who was arrested in August for possessing child pornography, was sentences to two years in prison on Wednesday.

Winchester was arrested by Scotts Valley Police after officers found numerous images of child pornography on a computer inside his Kings Village Shopping Center business. Officers had been patrolling the shopping center on the night Winchester was arrested and at around 1:30 a.m. that night they saw the back door to his shop propped open. Winchester was asleep inside. Upon entering the business, officers saw child pornography in plain view. Using a search warrant, officers then found additional child pornography on two hard drives and methamphetamine.

Winchester has been in county jail since his arrest. On Dec. 13, he pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing child pornography and one charge of possessing methamphetamine.

Although Winchester’s attorney asked Judge Paul Burdick to give his client probation, Prosecutor Nicole Jones said that due to the sheer number of images found, a prison sentence was warranted. Jones said that over 48,000 images of child pornography were found on Winchester’s computer, depicting minors 14 and younger engaged in or simulating sexual acts. Jones said that a “how-to manual” for child molestation was also found on Winchester’s computer.

“He has shown a lack of remorse,” Jones said. “When he was arrested, his statement to officers was that some people think this is art. He still has this notion in his head that it’s art to have these images.”

Winchester’s attorney argued that he is remorseful and that the images represented only a fantasy. He added that Winchester is also seeking help from religious and spiritual services, and that given his lack of a prior criminal record, probation was appropriate.

Burdick disagreed saying that given how horrific the images are, a prison sentence was warranted and sentenced Winchester to two years in state prison.

When released, Winchester will be on supervised parole. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.