UPitt professor of pediatric radiology charged with child pornography: Usdoj

Dr. Ashok Panigrahy, 53, of Pittsburgh, was charged in November 2022 with transporting “material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor in interstate commerce and possessing material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice press release.

The material contained images of rape of children under the age of 12 and/or pre-pubescent, according to federal court documents obtained by the Daily Voice.

The two charges were filed for violating federal law regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor, U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan said.

“The law provides for a maximum total penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both,” the press release said.

Homeland Security Investigations (Pittsburgh and Chicago) conducted the investigation that led to the charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting the case.

Panigrahy is the John F. Caffey Endowed Chair in the Department of Pediatric Radiology and a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, according to numerous public documents and the university website.

He received his BA and MD from Boston University and completed his residency and postdoctoral clinical work in pediatric radiology at the University of California Los Angeles, according to UPitt.

Panigraphy pleaded not guilty Tuesday, Sept. 3, according to his federal filing. He was released to home confinement on a $50,000 unsecured bond, as set by Judge Patricia L. Dodge. The conditions of his release include residing in the Northern District of Illinois area, Western Pennsylvania for court appearances and Eastern PA for attorney meetings only, as well as seeking psychological treatment, not seeing witnesses or anyone connected to the case, and limited computer use, according to a federal court order obtained by the Daily Voice.

Daily Voice has asked UPitt for a statement on the complaint. For a possible update, please visit here.

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