RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A former Richmond-area police officer has pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography.
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli announced that 31-year-old Allan Hoffman entered his plea Wednesday in Henrico County Circuit Court.
Judge L.A. Harris sentenced Hoffman to 13 years in prison.
Hoffman, a former Henrico County detective, was charged after officers responding to an informant's tip searched his email account and found that he used Craigslist to inquire about taking nude photos of minors. A search of Hoffman's home computer turned up hundreds of sexually explicit images of girls, who told investigators Hoffman had taken the pictures.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Release from the office of the Attorney General:
RICHMOND (January 4, 2012) - Former Henrico County detective Allan Hoffman, 31, pled guilty today to two counts of production of child pornography. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli made the announcement after the defendant was sentenced to 13 years in prison by Henrico County Circuit Court Judge L. A. Harris.
Law enforcement officers with the Richmond Police Department assigned to the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes against Children Task Force became aware of Hoffman's criminal behavior after receiving a tip from an informant. Based on the informant's tip, the officers were able to obtain a search warrant for the defendant's e-mail account. During the search, the officers learned that Hoffman had used an alias to pose as a photographer on Craigslist, offering to take photographs for aspiring models and high school students for their senior portraits. Hoffman also used Craigslist to inquire about taking nude photographs of minors.
Officers were then able to obtain a search warrant for the defendant's residence, where they seized computer equipment and a digital camera. A forensic examination of the computer equipment uncovered thousands of images created by the defendant, hundreds of which depicted minor females engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The officers were then able to identify and contact each of the victims depicted in the images, who confirmed that Hoffman was the individual who had taken the photographs, and that they became acquainted with him through Craigslist.
"It is unconscionable that a sworn police officer would prey on minors like this. The creation of this heinous material-and the serious psychological damage to the victims that accompanies it-warrants the severe sentencing in this case," said Cuccinelli. "This case reaffirms the commitment of Virginia's law enforcement officers to apprehend and prosecute child predators, regardless of the perpetrator's status or position."
This case was investigated by the Richmond Police Department as part of the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes against Children Task Force. Assistant Attorney General Tommy Johnstone prosecuted the case on behalf of the commonwealth, with assistance from the Henrico County commonwealth attorney's office.
