Washington Post Journalist Arrested on Child Pornography Charges
In a shocking turn of events, Thomas Pham LeGro, a 48-year-old video editor for the Washington Post and a Pulitzer Prize winner, was arrested Thursday following a raid by FBI agents at his Washington, D.C. residence. Authorities uncovered disturbing material on his work laptop, which allegedly contained 11 videos depicting child sexual abuse.
Discovery of Disturbing Material
According to United States Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the FBI’s investigation led to the discovery of a specific folder on LeGro’s work computer containing the illicit content. Additionally, agents found fractured pieces of a hard drive in the hallway outside LeGro’s workspace during the execution of a search warrant.
LeGro made his first court appearance on Friday, where he faces serious charges that could lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted. A detention hearing has been set for next Wednesday.
A Career Marked by Controversy
LeGro has been a prominent figure at the Washington Post for 18 years and was part of the team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2017. This award recognized their in-depth coverage of allegations against former Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who faced accusations of pursuing a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30s—a claim he vehemently denied.
Prior to his tenure at the Washington Post, LeGro worked in the sports department from 2000 to 2006, before moving on to report for PBS NewsHour. He returned to the Post in 2013, quickly becoming an integral part of their video department.
Background of Investigation
The FBI’s affidavit notes LeGro was linked to multiple E-Gold accounts between 2005 and 2006. E-Gold, a now-defunct digital payment service, faced accusations of facilitating transactions for child pornography, leading to its operations being shut down in 2007. In May, federal agents received court approval to monitor LeGro’s internet activities, which ultimately culminated in Thursday’s raid.
Response from the Washington Post
In light of these serious allegations, a spokesperson for the Washington Post stated that LeGro has been placed on administrative leave. “The Washington Post understands the severity of these allegations, and the employee has been placed on leave,” the statement read, underscoring the serious nature of the charges against him.
This case continues to develop as authorities gather more information, and updates will follow pending the upcoming detention hearing.
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