Florian Teichtmeister Sentenced for Child Pornography Possession
Former Austrian Actor Pleads Guilty to Charges
Vienna, Austria
A Vienna court has sentenced Florian Teichtmeister, a former actor in the Austrian Burgtheater, to four years and ten months in prison for possession of child pornography. Teichtmeister, who starred in Marie Kreutzer's Oscar-nominated film "Corsage," pleaded guilty to the charges.
During a search of Teichtmeister's apartment in August 2021, police found thousands of images and videos of child pornography on his computer. Teichtmeister admitted to downloading and storing the material over several years.
The prosecution had requested a sentence of five years and six months, arguing that Teichtmeister's actions were "serious and reprehensible." The defense, however, asked for a more lenient sentence, citing Teichtmeister's remorse and cooperation with investigators.
Judge Andreas Haderer ruled that Teichtmeister's guilty plea and cooperation were mitigating factors in the sentencing. However, he also emphasized the gravity of Teichtmeister's actions, which he said had caused "great harm" to the victims of child exploitation.
"Child pornography is a violation of human dignity," Haderer said. "It is not a victimless crime."
Austria has taken a strong stance against child sexual abuse in recent years. In 2013, the country introduced a new law that criminalized the possession and distribution of child pornography. The law also made it easier for victims of child sexual abuse to seek compensation.
Teichtmeister's sentencing sends a clear message that Austria will not tolerate child pornography. It also serves as a reminder that even celebrities are not immune from prosecution for such crimes.
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