Formerly of Germantown, Maryland, DeFoggi, 56, was convicted in August. The Justice Department confirmed his involvement in a Tor-network-based child pornography website.
DeFoggi was convicted of conspiring to advertise, distribute and access a computer that included pornographic material, according to Reuters.
The Justice Department noted that the website’s users were utilizing technological means to thwart law enforcement. The site was accessible only through Tor, an internet application specifically designed to facilitate anonymous communication.
“Using the same technological expertise he employed as Acting Director of Cyber Security at HHS, DeFoggi attempted to sexually exploit children and traffic in child pornography through an anonymous computer network of child predators,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell in a statement.
“But dangerous criminals cannot be allowed to operate on-line with impunity."
Prosecutors said DeFoggi maintained his involvement in the website until the FBI took it down in 2012. He is the sixth individual to be convicted in the ongoing investigation that targeted the three Tor-network-based websites.
“The production and distribution of child pornography is one of the most saddening, tragic crimes the FBI investigates,” said Special Agent in Charge Metz in a statement. “Today’s sentencing sends a message to those who advertise, distribute, possess, and trade child pornography that the FBI will look for you, will find you and will make sure you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
