Former HHS cyber security director convicted for child porn

The former acting director of cyber security at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was convicted by a federal jury in the District of Nebraska of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, conspiracy to advertise and distribute child pornography, and accessing a computer with intent to view child pornography in connection with his membership in a child pornography website.

Timothy DeFoggi, 56, formerly of Germantown, Maryland, 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, who has since been convicted in the District of Nebraska of engaging in a child exploitation enterprise in connection with his administration of the sites.

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.

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.