A Maryland man, who previously worked at a DC private school, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on Monday, July 25.
The defendant, identified as 55-year-old Jay Gordon of Crofton, emerged as a suspect during a nationwide investigation into the trafficking of child pornography through websites on the dark web, which is a hidden part of the internet only accessible with special web browsers, according to a statement from the US Department of Justice.
After investigators found that Gordon’s IP address accessed such websites, law enforcement confiscated his electronic devices that contained thousands of videos and images of child sexual abuse, including those of prepubescent minors.
Gordon reportedly worked in the IT department of a private school located in the District of Columbia.
Forensic examination revealed that devices used by Gordon at his workplace were also determined to have visited these websites.
He is now facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison followed by up to a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography. He will also be registered as a sex offender as per law.
Gordon’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 17.
The investigation was part of Project Safe Childhood, which was launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 as a nationwide combat against child abuse.