Former Resident Convicted in Child Porn Case
Timothy DeFoggi, formerly of Crown Ridge Court in Germantown, was convicted by a federal jury in the District of Nebraska on Tuesday, Aug. 26 for engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, conspiracy to advertise and distribute child pornography, and accessing a computer with intent to view child pornography.
DeFoggi, 56, is the former acting director of cyber security at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He is the sixth individual to be convicted as part of an ongoing investigation targeting three child pornography websites. The three websites were run by a single administrator, Aaron McGrath, 31, who has already been convicted in the District of Nebraska of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise in connection with his administration of the sites.
DeFoggi’s conviction stems from Operation Torpedo, an FBI operation that targeted three child porn sites which used Tor software, which users believe allows for online anonymity.
According to evidence presented at trial, DeFoggi registered as a website member on March 2, 2012, and maintained his membership and activity until Dec. 8, 2012, when the website was taken down by the FBI. Through the website, DeFoggi accessed child pornography, solicited child pornography from other members, and exchanged private messages with other members where he expressed an interest in the violent rape and murder of children. DeFoggi even suggested meeting one member in person to fulfill their mutual fantasies to violently rape and murder children.
DeFoggi worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 2008 to January of 2014.
The jury reached its verdict following a four-day trial before U.S. Chief District Judge Laurie Smith Camp. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 7, 2014.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Gilg of the District of Nebraska and Special Agent in Charge Thomas R. Metz of the FBI’s Omaha Division made the announcement.
This case is a result of investigative efforts led by the FBI’s Omaha Field Office, Violent Crimes Against Children Section, Major Case Coordination Unit, and Digital Analysis and Research Center. This case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Keith Becker and Sarah Chang of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Norris of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.