attorney

NYC Employee Downloaded Child Porn at Work: Feds

He pleaded guilty in a similar case on Long Island in 2015; this new arrest violates his probation, authorities say

What to Know

  • A 28-year-old New York City employee was arrested on federal charges of downloading child porn on his work computer
  • Daniel Sherlock used his work computer to download dozens of images of child pornography, federal prosecutors say
  • He was arrested for a similar crime on Long Island in 2014 and was sentenced to probation; his new arrest violates probation

A 28-year-old IT worker employed by the city was arrested by federal prosecutors Wednesday after authorities say he used his computer at work to download child pornography, the second time he's accused of the crime. 

Daniel Sherlock of East Meadow, Long Island, allegedly looked at over 80 images of young girls engaged in sexual activity on his work computer while working for the city's Health and Hospital agency, federal prosecutors say. He allegedly tried to hide the activity through a computer program designed to delete files. 

Sherlock worked as an IT technician in non-clinical office, according to officials.

A judge ordered him released on home incarceration Wednesday to be enforced by electronic monitoring and a $50,000 bond co-signed by two financially responsible people as well as his mother, although he must remain detained until his mother signs the bond and electronic monitoring is set up at his home. 

Among the other conditions of his release, Sherlock isn't allowed to access the internet, view sexually explicit images, or have contact with minors. 

It's the second time Sherlock has been arrested on these kinds of charges: records show Sherlock was charged in 2014 by the Nassau County District Attorney’s office for allegedly possessing images of young girls engaging in sexual performances.

He pleaded guilty in the case on March 31, 2015, and was sentenced to three years probation, plus sex offender conditions, according to court records. His federal arrest in Manhattan violates his probation.

NYC Health and Hospital records confirm Sherlock was at work on the days the child porn was created, and the file-cleaning program, CCleaner, was installed, according to the criminal complaint. 

A spokesman for HHC said in a statement, "We have zero tolerance for this kind of criminal behavior. NYC Health + Hospitals will continue to provide DOI and SDNY with the information needed to pursue this case." 

HHC is moving to fire Sherlock, an official said. 

New York City HHC is the largest public health care system in the U.S., providing health care services to over 1 million residents of New York every year, according to authorities. It's also one of the largest employers in New York. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said Wednesday, "Whatever efforts are made to avoid detection, we are committed to prosecuting child pornography offenses and protecting children from sexual exploitation." 

"This charged crime is serious," said Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark Peters. "There can be no tolerance for this kind of grotesque behavior." 

Sherlock was expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan later Wednesday. Messages have been left with his attorney. 

He faces up to 20 years in prison if he's convicted of possessing child pornography.

Contact Us