TSA Employee Arrested and Charged with Attempted Production of Child Pornography

A TSA employee appeared in federal court today to face child pornography charges.

Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and W. Howard Harrison, Chief Plantation Police Department, made the announcement.

Gary Linder, Jr., 27, of Ft. Lauderdale, was arrested and charged, by criminal complaint, with attempted production of child pornography and sending obscene material to a minor, in violation of, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 3351(a) and 1470.  Linder had his initial appearance, today, before United States Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow.  During the initial hearing, Linder was identified as a TSA employee.  A detention hearing is scheduled in this matter for May 10, 2018, before United States Magistrate Judge Barry S. Seltzer.

According to the court docket, including the criminal complaint, in February of 2018, Linder initially began communicating with an eleven year old via text message.  The phone was turned over to law enforcement, and over the course of several months Linder sent obscene material and discussed sexually explicit content with the individual he believed to be the minor child, via text message.  On several occasions, Linder requested nude photos of the minor child engaged in sex acts. 

Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, including the FBI Miami Child Exploitation Task Force, and the Plantation Police Department.  Mr. Greenberg also thanked the Coral Springs Police Department and Miramar Police Department for their assistance.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jodi L. Anton.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.