Hurlburt Field Intelligence Squadron Member Sentenced to 5 Years for Committing Federal Child Pornography Crimes on Base

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Douglas J. Plate, 53, of Navarre, Florida, a federal employee at Hurlburt Field, was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for receipt, possession, and access with intent to view child pornography.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender.  The sentence 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.

“I commend the diligent work of our hard working prosecutors and law enforcement professionals to bring to justice those who abuse their positions of trust,” said United States Attorney Canova.  “Serving as a representative of the U.S. government carries a high responsibility of setting an ethical example, and no one is above the law.”

“This case is particularly disturbing because a government employee violated the trust of the United States in one of the most heinous ways imaginable,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa.  “Thanks to our HSI special agents’ partnership with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, an individual who was jeopardizing our Nation’s security and trust is now facing justice.”

The case was 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 prosecuted 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