Latest news with #ProjectSafeChildhood
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Irishman (36) charged with several counts of sexually exploiting child in Texas
The charges allege that in September 2022 Johnstone coerced a minor into filming and photographing herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including acts of sadism. An Irishman could face life in prison after he was charged with a number of offences relating to the sexual exploitation of a child in the United States. Matthew Liam Johnstone – a 36-year-old Irish national - faces four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and four counts of coercion and enticement of a child, according to court documents filed in Texas. The charges allege that in September 2022 Johnstone coerced a minor into filming and photographing herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including acts of sadism. Stock image: Getty News in 90 Seconds - Aug 7th On Wednesday, a grand jury in the Southern District of Texas returned an indictment recommending that the Irishman be charged with the offences. If convicted, Johnstone faces up to life in prison. All charges also carry a possible maximum fine of $250,000. The FBI's Child Exploitation Operational Unit - Criminal Investigative Division carried out the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman and Trial Attorney Adam Braskich of the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
CBS News
03-08-2025
- CBS News
Western Michigan man, 43, sentenced for sexually exploiting girls
A 43-year-old Caledonia, Michigan, man has been sentenced for sexually exploiting high school girls, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan said Friday. Scott Michael Elam was sentenced by a federal judge to 30 years in prison. The attorney's office said he previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Elam allegedly admitted to selling alcohol, marijuana and vapes to "numerous minors" throughout Western Michigan. According to the attorney's office, he offered discounts to girls who made sexually explicit pictures and videos of themselves and sent them to him, or had sex with him. Federal officials said Elam admitted to exploiting 11 girls. Elam was ordered at the sentencing hearing to give up his Caledonia home, where he had sex with one of the minors and provided contraband to others. "Mr. Elam's predatory actions are reprehensible and should never be tolerated," Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Detroit office, said. "The FBI in Michigan will remain relentless in pursuing bad actors who exploit the most vulnerable among us." The attorney's office said the case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at protecting children from online exploitation and abuse. If you know of a child who may have been a victim of exploitation, call the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or visit the website.
Edmonton Journal
01-07-2025
- Edmonton Journal
Canadian World Bank employee jailed in sickening child pornography probe
Article content Ballek was arrested in D.C. on February 7, 2024. The FBI seized and forensically examined Ballek's phone, which contained 10 unique videos and at least 21 unique still images of child pornography. Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered Ballek to serve six years of supervised release on completion of his prison sentence and to register as a sex offender for 15 years. He may also be subject to deportation proceedings and other adverse immigration consequences. He had faced up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Upon completion of his sentence, Ballek will be deported to Canada. Originally from Outlook, Saskatchewan, Ballek previously worked for the Bank of Canada. This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Washington Post reporter arrested on child pornography charges after FBI search and is placed on leave
A Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter was arrested and placed on leave after being charged with possessing child pornography on his work laptop. Thomas Pham LeGro, 48, was arrested Thursday and taken into custody after a search of his District of Columbia home. LeGro made his first appearance Friday in U.S. District Court. The charges reportedly stem from an FBI search at his home Thursday, where agents seized several electronic devices. State Rep Used Biden-themed Username To Distribute Child Porn, Feds Say A review of LeGro's work laptop allegedly revealed a folder that contained 11 videos depicting child sexual abuse material, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Read On The Fox News App During the execution of a search warrant, authorities said they found what appeared to be fractured pieces of a hard drive in the hallway outside the room where LeGro's work laptop was found. "The Washington Post understands the severity of these allegations, and the employee has been placed on leave," a Washington Post spokesperson told Fox News Digital in an email Friday. High School Teacher Caught In Undercover Sting Operation After Explicit Chats With 'Teen Girl' Online: Police The George Mason graduate was part of a team of Post reporters awarded a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Senate candidacy of Roy Moore in 2018. 205 Arrested In Fbi Child Sex Operation, Patel And Bondi Announce LeGro, who has been with the publication for more than a decade, served as deputy director of video, overseeing a group of video journalists. He also briefly worked for PBS. Pirro thanked FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department for their ongoing efforts in the investigation. The case, part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative, is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, according to the article source: Washington Post reporter arrested on child pornography charges after FBI search and is placed on leave
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Time of India
US journalist arrested and charged with possessing child sex abuse material
Thomas LeGro Thomas LeGro, an award-winning Washington Post journalist, has been charged for allegedly possessing child pornography on Friday, after being arrested following a search at his home, the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) announced on Friday. According to a DoJ press release , videos depicting child sexual abuse material were found in LeGro's work laptop. "FBI agents executed a search warrant at LeGro's residence and seized several electronic devices. A review of his work laptop revealed a folder which contained 11 videos depicting child sexual abuse material," the Justice Department said. "During the execution of the search warrant, agents observed what appeared to be fractured pieces of a hard drive in the hallway outside the room where LeGro's work laptop was found," it added. The case against the Washington Post journalist was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood, a February 2006 initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Under, Project Safe Childhood, which is led by the US attorney offices, authorities at various levels (federal, state, local) locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Adidas Three Shorts With 60% Discount, Limited Stock Available Original Adidas Shop Now Undo Washington Post reacts In a statement, The Washington Post stated that it 'understands the severity of these allegations, and the employee has been placed on leave,' but declined to comment further. LeGro, 48, has worked at The Post for 18 years in two stints since 2000, was part of a Post team which won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting in 2018 for coverage of the Senate candidacy of Roy Moore of Alabama. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years.
