Posted on 02/04/2008 10:45:59 AM PST by stainlessbanner
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A spokesman for the Department of Children & Families was arrested Friday on child pornography charges, authorities said.
Al Zimmerman was charged with eight counts of using a child in a sexual performance. Zimmerman, who has been with the agency for nearly two years, has been fired, agency officials said.
Authorities say Zimmerman, 40, solicited at least two victims between the ages of 16 and 17 to create child pornography.
DCF Secretary Bob Butterworth issued a statement asking the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate whether any child in the state's care had been victimized as a result.
"Mr. Zimmerman's alleged conduct is an egregious breach of the public trust and will not be tolerated," Butterworth said.
A telephone message left on Zimmerman's cell phone by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.
Zimmerman was arrested in Lakeland, where his parents live, and booked in the Hillsborough County jail. The suspected crimes took place in Tampa.
Zimmerman was being held on $120,000 bail Saturday. He faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
"Every photograph, every image, every lasting impression of a child's sexual abuse perpetuates this horrible crime over and over again," Attorney General Bill McCollum said in a statement.
DCF has faced a firestorm of criticism in past years.
Former secretary Lucy Hadi resigned after being found in contempt of court for not moving inmates to state hospitals if they were incompetent to stand trial. Last year, a child protection task force criticized DCF officials because a 2-year-old foster girl was missing for four months before police began searching for her.
120 years for messing around with 16 and 17 year olds. Part of me says “should’ve checked their drivers licenses”, but another part says “damn, that’s insane”.
“120 years for messing around with 16 and 17 year olds. Part of me says “should’ve checked their drivers licenses”, but another part says “damn, that’s insane”.”
These children were part of the system. The system whose only purpose is to protect these children.
Oh, and this pervert listed FL Gov Charlie Crist as a reference on his employment application. The background check was evidently rubber stamped as they missed several items that would have prevented him being hired.
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