On Friday, US Attorney Janine Pirro made a statement regarding the arrest of a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist from the Washington Post, who is now facing serious charges following the discovery of child pornography on his work computer.
Thomas Pham Legro, a 48-year-old video editor, was apprehended on Thursday when FBI agents raided a location in Washington, DC. Authorities reportedly found a folder on his laptop containing 11 videos that portrayed child sexual abuse material, as detailed by Pirro’s office.
Additionally, FBI agents located “a destroyed piece of hard drive in the hallway outside the room where Legro’s working laptop was found.”
Legro made his first court appearance in Washington, D.C. District Court on Friday, and a detention hearing is set for next Wednesday.
Having worked at the Washington Post for 18 years, this journalist could face up to 20 years behind bars if convicted.
An extensive FBI affidavit suggests that the reporter was associated with several e-Gold accounts back in 2005 and 2006. E-Gold, a digital payment platform, ceased operations in 2007 after being accused by the federal government of facilitating money laundering connected to child pornography.
The affidavit also mentioned that in May, the FBI received permission from the court to monitor Legro’s internet accounts.
Before his current role, Legro worked in the sports division at the Washington Post from 2000 to 2006, then served as a reporter and producer for “PBS Newshour” before returning to the Post in 2013.
As part of the Washington Post’s video team, he contributed to the group that earned a Pulitzer Prize in 2017 for covering former Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.
Moore, who faced allegations of pursuing a 14-year-old girl when he was in his thirties, threatened to sue the Washington Post following its publication of these claims, which he strongly denied.
A spokesperson for the Washington Post mentioned that Legro was currently on vacation. The outlet acknowledged the gravity of the allegations and confirmed that employees are on leave during this situation.
