Hurlburt Field Intelligence Squadron Member Pleads Guilty to Committing Federal Child Pornography Crimes on Base

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Douglas J. Plate, 53, of Navarre, Florida, a federal employee at Hurlburt Field, pled guilty today to receipt, possession, and access with intent to view child pornography.  The guilty plea was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

In December 2015, the United States Air Force determined that Plate, who worked in a sensitive facility with a top secret security clearance, was searching for pornography online at his work station and residence.  A forensic review of his work and laptop computers revealed a significant amount of accessed pornography, including sexualized images of minor females.  Additionally, Plate admitted to using foreign language search terms to avoid detection.

For the receipt of child pornography charge, Plate faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.  For the possession and access with intent to view child pornography charge, Plate faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.  The sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 12, 2016, at 12:30 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.

The case is being investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting the case.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

For more information, contact:
Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer
(850) 216-3854, amy.alexander@usdoj.gov