A longtime Washington Post video editor has been arrested on federal child pornography charges, triggering a high-profile scandal that now threatens to engulf one of the country’s most powerful media institutions. Thomas Pham LeGro, 48, was taken into custody Thursday morning after federal agents raided his home in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors allege LeGro possessed child sexual abuse material on a work-issued laptop—an explosive accusation now driving a broader investigation led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
The arrest comes just weeks into Pirro’s appointment as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia—a controversial choice by President Trump that has already ignited legal and political debate over her role. But the LeGro case, with its potential to implicate not only a celebrated journalist but also past failures in federal enforcement, is emerging as the first major test of her tenure, writes The New York Post.
According to a heavily redacted affidavit released Friday, FBI agents executing a search warrant discovered 11 videos of child sexual abuse on LeGro’s Washington Post laptop, along with fragmented hard drive components discarded nearby. LeGro made his initial appearance in federal court later that day and remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
LeGro, who joined the Post in 2000 and returned in 2014 following a brief departure, was part of the Pulitzer-winning investigative team that covered the 2017 Senate race in Alabama in which he uncovererd a sex scandal by then Republican candidate Roy Moore.
His arrest now casts a shadow over that coverage—and over the Post itself, which confirmed Friday that he had been placed on leave. “The Washington Post understands the severity of these allegations,” a spokesperson said, “and the employee has been placed on leave pending the legal process.”
The affidavit also reveals that LeGro was linked to multiple E-Gold accounts investigated by the FBI during a 2005–2006 crackdown on digital currencies allegedly used in online child exploitation. E-Gold was shuttered in 2007 following a money laundering probe. Federal authorities appear to have revived the trail earlier this year, with the court authorizing internet surveillance on LeGro as recently as May.
The prosecution is being personally overseen by Jeanine Pirro, the former New York judge and Fox News host whose elevation to the role of interim U.S. Attorney stunned critics. Pirro, a longtime ally of President Trump, has faced scrutiny over her objectivity—particularly from The Washington Post’s own editorial board, which last month questioned the legality of her appointment under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
Now, with the LeGro case front and center, Pirro appears determined to defy expectations. Her background includes a tough-on-crime tenure in Westchester County, where she made a name prosecuting child abuse and domestic violence cases. Yet her national profile—forged through fiery media appearances and loyalty to Trump—ensures that even legitimate prosecutions will be viewed through a political lens.
The case has reopened urgent questions about the rise of digital child exploitation. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported that “as threats against children continue to evolve, NCMEC is constantly adapting by finding new ways to address the toughest challenges kids face. With technology and trends rapidly reshaping the landscape of child safety, we’re always learning, listening and adjusting our apporach to better protect kids. Our 2024 data reflects what we’ve seen over the past year and offers a snapshot of how we’re responding, and why the work to ensure every child has a safe childhood remains as critical as ever.
Behind every data point is a child—and the statistics show that our efforts are making a real difference. In 2024 NCMEC assisted law enforcement with 29,568 cases of missing children and helped bring 91% of them home.
While we’re making strides, the risks, especially online, are becoming more complex and widespread. One of the most alarming trends we’ve seen is the rapid rise of AI-generated content. In 2024 alone, NCMEC saw a 1,325% increase in CyberTipline reports that involved Generative AI Technology (GAI).
Sextortion also continues to rise, with a significant increase in reports of online enticement made to NCMEC in 2024. Over the last year, NCMEC received nearly 100 reports of financial sextortion per day. These aren’t just heartbreaking statistics: they represent real kids in crisis. Since 2021, NCMEC is aware of at least 36 teenage boys who have taken their lives because they were victimized by sextortion.
This growing crisis has also led to changes in how these crimes are reported. In 2024, the REPORT Act expanded mandatory reporting to include two additional types of child sexual exploitation: online enticement and child sex trafficking. NCMEC is already seeing an increase in child sex trafficking reports, which is potentially an early result of the REPORT Act, up 55% from 2023.”
Critics have already questioned whether the Post missed red flags or failed to act on prior concerns. Others see the case as part of a broader reckoning—not just over child exploitation, but over institutional accountability and media trust. Legro isn’t the only media member who has been charged with such a crime recently. In 2023, ABC News producer James Meek was arrested on similar charges.
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How many more like him in the Media Now?