Phillip Alpert

Orlando, Florida resident Phillip Alpert was charged with sending child pornography and sentenced to 5 years probation and was added to the sexual offender registry at the age of 18 after text messaging a nude photo of his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend to 70 of his contacts, including her parents, in an alleged case of 'sexting'.

Alpert will remain on the sexual offender registry until he reaches at least the age of 43. Alpert and his attorney, Larry Walters, are attempting have have him removed from the sexual offender's list, arguing that child pornography laws were not crafted with sexting in mind.

"You will find me on the registered sex offender list next to people who have raped children, molested kids, things like that, because I sent child pornography. You think child pornography, you think 6-year-old, 3-year-old little kids who can't think for themselves, who are taken advantage of. That really wasn't the case."CNN.com: 'Sexting' lands teen on sex offender list (April 8, 2009) — Phillip Alpert, argues against his status as sexual offender

"Sexting is treated as child pornography in almost every state and it catches teens completely offguard because this is a fairly natural and normal thing for them to do. It is surprising to us as parents, but for teens it's part of their culture."CNN.com: 'Sexting' lands teen on sex offender list (April 8, 2009) — Larry Walters, Alpert's attorney