Your guide to the latest news from around the Northwest
January 9, 2013 at 11:05 AM
Social Security employee accused of viewing child porn at work
A 49-year-old employee of the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been arrested and charged with accessing child pornography at work, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Thomas Joseph Barrett, of Lynnwood, was arrested at the SSA’s Official of Disability Adjudication, where he worked as a senior case technician. He is expected to appear before a U.S. Magistrate in Seattle this afternoon.
The complaint alleges that Barrett had viewed child pornography on his work computer in November 2012, and had looked up news stories about the penalties for possessing or distributing child porn. The crime carries a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigation and the State Patrol.
Comments | More in The Blotter | Topics: child pornography, Social Security Administration, U.S. Attorney's Office
More from The Blotter
- May 20 - 6:16 AM Woman wounded in south Seattle shootout
- May 17 - 10:16 PM Fire hose used to bring felon down from tree in Snohomish County
- May 17 - 4:21 PM Everett standoff finally over after eight hours; burglary suspect arrested
- May 17 - 4:18 PM Seattle police to expand crime forecasting project
- May 17 - 3:12 PM Deputies arrest fleeing felon Vincent Nutter in the woods
About The Today File
Seattle Times Needle cam
Trending with readers
On Facebook
Recent Activity
Multimedia
Google+
