Former ABC News producer James Gordon Meek was arrested Tuesday night time on prison expenses associated to his alleged transportation of photos of kid sexual abuse.
In keeping with the Division of Justice, regulation enforcement “seized a number of units that allegedly contained proof of the transportation of photos of kid sexual abuse” in a court-authorized search of Meek’s residence, situated in Arlington, Va., in April 2022.
A number of of Meek’s units allegedly held photos depicting kids engaged in “sexually express conduct,” in addition to quite a few “sexually express” chat conversations with different customers who “expressed enthusiasm for the sexual abuse of youngsters.” In keeping with the DOJ, “in two of these conversations, a username allegedly related to Meek obtained and distributed little one sexual abuse supplies by an internet-based messaging platform.”
Per courtroom paperwork, the investigation into Meek, 53, was “initiated from an investigative lead despatched by Dropbox and finally obtained by the FBI Washington Subject Workplace’s Little one Exploitation and Human Trafficking Job Power.”
If convicted, Meek faces a compulsory minimal of 5 years in jail. The utmost penalty is 20 years.
Meek, who had been working at ABC for 9 years, abruptly resigned from the community following the FBI raid at his Virginia house. His credit embrace “Nightline” and “20/20,” in addition to the Hulu documentary “3212 Un-Redacted,” concerning the deaths of 4 U.S. Special Forces troopers in Africa and a authorities cover-up. Meek was nominated for 4 Emmy awards, successful one in 2017 for ABC News’ breaking information protection.
Assistant Legal professional Common Kenneth A. Well mannered, Jr. of the Justice Division’s Felony Division, U.S. Legal professional Jessica D. Aber for the Japanese District of Virginia and Particular Agent in Cost Wayne A. Jacobs of the FBI Washington Subject Workplace’s Felony and Cyber Division made the announcement of Meek’s prison expenses. Prosecuting the case are Trial Legal professional Whitney Kramer of the Felony Division’s Little one Exploitation and Obscenity Part and Assistant U.S. Legal professional Zoe Bedell for the Japanese District of Virginia.