A Brooklyn Park man working as a computer software consultant for the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office is accused of using a state computer to download more than 1,400 photos and videos of child pornography.
State computer had child porn
A software consultant from Brooklyn Park charged with downloading more than 1,400 illegal photos and videos.
Jeffrey T. Whitney, 40, was charged Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court with 15 felony counts of possession of child pornography. Each count refers to a specific image or video found on the computer by an investigator from the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The files depict children, some as young as 2, 3 and 4 years old, the criminal complaint said.
When confronted, Whitney "admitted that he has a problem with pornography and he admitted to downloading child pornography on his state computer," the complaint said.
John Aiken, a spokesman for the Secretary of State's Office, said Whitney worked for a private company, Iris Consulting Corp., which was subcontracted by Arran Technologies Inc., a technology contractor used by the Secretary of State's Office.
"The state of Minnesota online detection software alerted ... computer staff to unauthorized use of computers by Mr. Whitney and this information was turned over immediately to the [BCA] on Jan. 25, 2010," a statement said.
Whitney was immediately barred from all access to state computer systems, the statement said.
The complaint said that a warrant has been issued for Whitney's arrest. No one answered the phone at his Brooklyn Park home on Tuesday afternoon.
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