The case does have a distinct "thought crime" feel to it.
I found this story about the case
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08138/882650-85.stm
Seems that Karen Fletcher may have been a victim of child abuse herself and the stories were a means of expression for her. That's what her lawyer says anyway.
But even if this was just some nasty person making money from CP fantasies... it's still just text.
I blogged about this today. The whole thought crime thing is starting to creep into law enforcement. In Australia the cops raided the home of some guys who are allegedly extreme Islamists. There was no evidence of a crime. The cops simply did it to "send a message" that the guys were being watched.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/...765174146.html