Fact Check: "Weiner pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor."
What We Know
Anthony Weiner, a former U.S. Congressman, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for transferring obscene material to a minor. He pleaded guilty to this charge on May 19, 2017, in a Manhattan federal court (source). The case involved Weiner communicating with a 15-year-old girl through various online platforms, including Skype and Snapchat, where he engaged in sexually explicit conversations and sent obscene material (source). The U.S. Attorney's office stated that Weiner's actions constituted a serious crime, deserving of significant punishment (source).
Analysis
The claim that Weiner pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor is supported by multiple credible sources. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the details of the case, including Weiner's guilty plea and subsequent sentencing (source). Additionally, NBC News reported on the specifics of the charge, emphasizing that it carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, highlighting the severity of the crime (source).
Furthermore, HuffPost corroborated the facts by detailing Weiner's illicit online contact with the minor and his guilty plea (source). The consistency across these sources lends credibility to the claim, as they are reputable news organizations and official statements from the U.S. government.
While the sources are reliable, it is important to note that media coverage can sometimes include biases based on the outlet's editorial stance. However, the factual nature of Weiner's guilty plea and sentencing is well-documented and not subject to significant dispute.
Conclusion
The claim that "Weiner pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Weiner engaged in inappropriate online interactions with a minor and was subsequently sentenced for his actions.
