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CYF Caseworker Arrested On Child Porn Charges

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- An undercover child porn investigation has resulted in the arrest of a county government employee.

Michael Smith, 44, a caseworker for the Allegheny County Office of Children Youth and Families, was taken into custody on three felony counts.

Detectives say they found over 800 images of child porn on his computer inside his Pleasant Hills residence.

The charges are not related to his employment at CYF.

Two of the felony charges fall under the criminal code of sexual abuse of children. They are dissemination of photography and possession of child pornography.

Smith is also charged with criminal use of a communication facility.

The investigation into the sharing of child porn started back in April.

The images were traced to Smith's computer. A search was conducted at his home in August.

According to the criminal complaint, Smith told detectives, "It was a mistake. I shouldn't have viewed it on my computer."

No one answered the door at Smith's home.

He posted bond and has a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 9.

KDKA could not reach CYF for comment. Smith started working for CYF in 1996.

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