A veteran journalist of The Washington Post, Thomas Pham LeGro, 48, was apprehended by authorities and is facing serious charges after federal agents allegedly found child sexual abuse material on his work-issued laptop. The arrest, which took place in Washington D.C. on Thursday, was followed by an announcement from D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro on Friday.
FBI agents, executing a search warrant at LeGro's home, seized several electronic devices. Among them was the laptop provided by his employer, on which a folder containing 11 videos depicting child sexual abuse material was located. This alarming discovery was detailed in a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Further investigation led to the discovery of fragments of what is believed to be LeGro's personal hard drive in the hallway adjacent to the room housing the work computer. It is suggested that LeGro may have destroyed this device in the moments leading up to or during the search operation.
LeGro, a long-serving member of The Washington Post's staff, began his career in the newspaper's sports department in 2000. He left six years later to work as a reporter and producer for PBS NewsHour before returning to The Washington Post in 2013 as a member of the video production team. His tenure at the newspaper includes being part of a team that was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of the contentious 2017 Alabama Senate special election.
The gravity of the charges against LeGro is underscored by the potential consequences if convicted; he could face up to 20 years in federal prison. The case is currently being managed by federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C.
An FBI affidavit, which has been partially redacted, has linked LeGro to transactions made through E-Gold accounts in 2005 and 2006. E-Gold, a digital currency platform, was shut down by federal authorities in 2007 due to its involvement in illegal activities, including the laundering of money for child pornography networks.
The affidavit also reveals that the FBI had been legally monitoring LeGro's internet activity since May 2025, although the reasons for this surveillance have not been disclosed to the public. In light of the charges, The Washington Post has placed LeGro on leave, emphasizing the serious nature of the allegations in a brief public statement.
As the FBI continues its scrutiny of the seized devices and delves deeper into the case, it is yet to be determined if LeGro will face further charges. For now, he remains in federal custody, with a detention hearing scheduled for the following Wednesday.
