Man Calls Computer Repair Shop To Complain About Missing Image Files, Arrested Soon After
May 11, 2011 at 3:11 am by kniption
Newport News, VA — Ian Hartney, 20, was arrested by federal agents on charges of producing child pornography. His case came about when a Chesapeake computer store reported to authorities that Hartney’s laptops contained child porn.
Hartney, a shipyard worker from Newport News, reportedly brought a laptop to an unidentified Chesapeake computer tech support company for repair last November. In order to repair the laptop, the employee had to copy the contents of the computer’s entire hard drive and later reinstall it. The employee apparently didn’t see the images during the copying process
According to the federal documents, when Hartney got his computers back, he discovered that some of his picture files were missing, so he called the support company employee to ask if she could find them.
“Hartney inquired about getting additional pictures back that weren’t included,” the affidavit said. “Hartney instructed the computer repair person that some of the pictures would be hidden.”
When she searched the files that she had saved, she discovered the child pornography and immediately contacted police.
In early December, Chesapeake police, ICE and FBI agents, the Virginia State Police and Newport News police raided Hartney’s apartment. They reportedly discovered computers, cameras and cell phones containing large amounts of child pornography. Investigators say some of the pictures appeared to be homemade, with 25 different young girls in those images.
Authorities discovered the identity of one local girl who admitted to a sexual relationship with Hartney beginning several years ago, when she was 15, the affidavit says. The girl, now 18, helped identify six of the other 24 minors depicted in the images.
“The investigative team is still in the process of identifying and interviewing additional potential juvenile victims,” Joseph said in her affidavit.
John P. Torres, special agent in charge of the ICE Washington region office, said anyone with information about the victims should call the agency at (866) 347-2423.
Hartney stood before a federal judge May 5th to waive his preliminary hearing and a bond hearing. He remains incarcerated.
And the moral of this story for others with child pornography on their computers: Don’t let those Geek Squad jerks delete your porn. Call them to complain if it is missing like Hartney, here. In fact, call the cops directly to complain about your lost property. Yeah! …and then the Better Business Bureau, too!
Tags: Child Pornography, Ian Hartney
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