A former chief radiologist at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh was arrested for allegedly having images of child pornography, the U.S. attorney ‘s office in Pittsburgh said Wednesday.
Dr. Ashok Panigrahy, 53, of Pittsburgh, pleaded not guilty Tuesday before a federal magistrate in Pittsburgh to charges of transporting and attempted transportation of materials depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor , according to the Aug. 29 indictment by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh. Prosecutors said the images could have been sent across state lines or from another country. The incidents allegedly took place from Nov. 15 to Nov. 22, 2022, they said.
Prosecutors alleged in the indictment that Panigrahy had images and videos of sexual conduct of minors under the age of 12, in computer graphic and digital files while in Western Pennsylvania.
Homeland Security Investigations in both Pittsburgh and Chicago conducted the investigation leading to the indictment, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh said.
Panigrahy was released from federal custody Tuesday on $50,000 unsecured bond and placed on home detention. He is permitted only to leave the house for a job, religious services and meeting with his attorney or doctors. U.S. District Magistrate Patricia Dodge ordered Panigrahy to undergo specialized treatment for those charged with sexual offenses and must participate in any recommended mental health treatment.
A judge has not set a date for the jury trial that Panigrahy requested.
The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to confiscate an Apple Macbook Pro and an Apple iPhone.
UPMC said in a statement that the hospital system placed Panigrahy on administrative leave immediately last November after being informed by law enforcement of its investigation. His employment was subsequently terminated, UPMC said in a brief statement.
Panigrahy also was a professor at the University of Pittsburgh. A spokesperson for the university said late Wednesday night that Panigrahy has been placed on administrative leave.
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Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.