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FBI: Ex-officer had child porn

By ROBIN STEIN
Published January 30, 2007

LARGO - A former Largo police officer was charged with felony possession of child pornography Monday, as a result of activities uncovered by an FBI unit charged with investigating underage exploitation on the Internet.

Jamie Bogdan, 32, is just one of a handful of law enforcement officers who have been targeted by the FBI's Innocent Image Task Force, agency spokeswoman Carol Michalik said.

Bogdan pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

"We found out about him online undercover," said Michalik, declining to describe when or how, citing an ongoing investigation.

The allegations against Bogdan involve "multiple pictures" of "very young children" downloaded from multiple servers around the country, said Steve Cole, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Bogdan voluntarily resigned from the Largo Police Department on Oct. 16, the same day task force investigators - from the FBI and other local law enforcement agencies - confronted him at his home, Largo police spokesman Mac McMullen said.

Like all new hires, McMullen said, Bogdan passed a background check, a lie detector and psychological and physical tests. The department had not taken prior complaints or disciplinary action against Bogdan since he joined the force in January 2004.

McMullen said the department administration first learned that Bogdan was being investigated in early October, through one of its detectives, Michael Stephenson, who also serves as a member of the FBI task force. McMullen said Largo police immediately opened their own investigation, which was still ongoing. The results will be forwarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which certifies officers.

Cole said Bogdan voluntarily surrendered to the FBI on Monday and appeared for his first hearing in U.S. District Court in Tampa, where bail was set at $50,000.

The judge placed several restrictions on Bogdan's release, requiring him to wear an electronic monitor and remain inside his mother's residence in Fort Myers. The trial is scheduled for March.

[Last modified January 29, 2007, 20:44:59]