A man on probation for possessing child pornography was allowed to attend Prince George’s Christmas party

A Prince George’s Provincial Court judge has modified the probation order for a man who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography so he can attend a Christmas party hosted by a local charity.

Joseph Edward Graff, born in 1980, applied for an exception on November 28 to attend the event on Friday, December 6.

Graff was charged in 2020 with a crime that occurred on December 12, 2019, in Prince George. He pleaded guilty in July 2022 and was sentenced in March 2023 to a six-month community order and 18 months probation.

The conditions imposed by Graff in 2023 include not attending any place, such as a park, community center or theater, where children under 16 may be present. He must also not have direct or indirect contact with or be in the presence of persons under 16 years of age.

The Crown did not object to Graff’s request to attend the Christmas party and told Judge David Simpkin there had been no record of failure to comply with probation.

Graff was in court with a representative of the organization organizing the event, who wrote a letter supporting Graff’s motion.

Although the name of a local nonprofit organization was used in court, Citizen has chosen not to publish it to protect its employees and customers.

Simpkin said that while the event is aimed at an adult clientele, the invitation was extended to family and friends, including children under 16.

“The proposal here is not that Mr. Graff be left alone during the Christmas party, but rather that he be accompanied by a representative or individual employee at all times,” Simpkin said.

Simpkin warned Graff that if he violated any terms of the probation order, he could be charged and convicted of a new crime, have a criminal record, and be sent to prison.