Harrisburg Doctor Charged With Distribution Of Child Pornography

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that child pornography distribution charges were filed against David H. Scanlan III.  Scanlan, 38, of Harrisburg, was charged with one count of distribution of child pornography in a criminal Information filed today in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg.

     According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Scanlan is charged with distributing child pornography over the internet between May and June 2011.  The charges stem from an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.  At the time of the offense, Scanlan was a physician specializing in pediatric oncology.  He has surrendered his medical license.  

     Along with the Information, a plea agreement was filed in which Scanlan agrees to plead guilty to the child pornography distribution charge.  The plea agreement must be approved by the court.  Scanlan faces a minimum of five and a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, Smith said.

     This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit  www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit  www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

     The case was investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy.