UW employee investigated on child porn charges

SEATTLE — A University of Washington computer technician is under federal investigation on charges of possession of child pornography.

The investigation has been going on for nearly two years, and as of Tuesday, the suspect is still working.

A University of Washington spokesperson told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Amy Clancy that until the man has been arrested or charged, there is not much the university can do.

Clancy spoke with the suspect on the phone from his UW office on Monday and asked if he had any comments about federal documents that detail his alleged involvement in receiving child pornography.

He told Clancy that he couldn't talk, because he was working. He also asked if Clancy would be using his name in her report.

His name is a matter of public record and is all over the search warrant filed by an investigator for the US Postal Inspection Service.

According to the warrant, the suspect's name and Seattle address were discovered when an international movie company was shut down for distributing child porn in May of 2011.

Federal investigators say that the suspect bought 47 different items from the porn distributor between July 2009 and April of 2011, totaling US $1,473.10.

Agents watched his apartment, which is across the street from a grade school, in early January. They then seized more than 240 VHS tape, dozens of DVDs, flash drives, cellphones, multiple computers and hard drives. They also seized a diaper catalog.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said that if charges are filed against the man, they will be filed at the Superior Court level.

The US Postal Inspection Service did not return Clancy's calls or emails.

Meanwhile, the suspect continues to work at the University of Washington. Clancy spoke with his boss on Monday – and he knew nothing about the investigation.

KIRO