A longtime video journalist for The Washington Post is facing federal charges after a recent law enforcement operation uncovered illicit materials allegedly linked to him.
According to the Daily Mail, Thomas Pham LeGro, a 48-year-old reporter with nearly two decades at the newspaper, has been charged with possession of child pornography following a federal investigation and a home raid in Washington, D.C.
According to federal court records, agents conducted a raid on LeGro’s Washington, D.C., residence on a Thursday in June 2025. During the search, authorities reportedly discovered 11 videos on a laptop that allegedly depicted exploitative acts involving minors. In addition to the laptop, investigators seized several devices, including a damaged hard drive that had been broken into fragments.
Federal Investigation Traced to 2005 Payment Records
The charges stem from a year-long investigation by the FBI. The inquiry reportedly began in 2005 and initially centered around an electronic payment system known as E-Gold. A subpoena issued in 2006 allegedly tied an account connected to LeGro to transactions on questionable websites suspected of hosting child abuse content. Court filings indicate that LeGro's name and contact information matched those associated with two additional E-Gold accounts. These records were used to support the recent reopening of the case, which gained traction in May 2025.
Authorities linked a Verizon account registered to LeGro through a court-approved method, enabling them to carry out the most recent search and obtain new digital evidence. This led to a follow-up appearance in court the subsequent Friday, where the charges were officially filed.
Journalist Had Long Tenure and Recent Editorial Role
LeGro held two stints at The Washington Post, beginning his employment with the paper in 2000. In total, he worked there for approximately 18 years and played various roles in the video journalism unit.
In February 2024, LeGro was named deputy video editor. The announcement marked a professional milestone following years of service in the newsroom. He had also received journalistic recognition as part of a team that investigated former Senate candidate Roy Moore in 2018. That reporting project earned the newspaper a Pulitzer Prize, drawing national attention for its coverage of allegations involving minors.
In the wake of the recent charges, The Washington Post released a statement acknowledging the situation. Officials at the paper noted that LeGro has been placed on leave and emphasized the seriousness of the allegations brought against him.
Justice Department Initiative Supports Ongoing Effort
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a federal initiative that was launched in 2006 to combat the online exploitation of minors. The operation incorporates partnerships between federal prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and local organizations to track suspects and intervene where abuse is suspected.
“In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse,” stated the U.S. Attorney’s Office overseeing the case. The office also noted that the program pools investigative resources from several agencies.
“Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet,” read the statement. The initiative also aims to identify victims and provide protective support.
Potential Prison Sentence and Prosecution Outlook
If found guilty, LeGro could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years under federal law. The charges are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, currently led by former television host and legal analyst Jeanine Pirro.
Pirro acknowledged that FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen and Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith contributed to the investigation. Their collaborative efforts led to the raid and evidence collection critical to the charge now pending in court.
The legal proceedings mark a striking turn in the career of the award-winning journalist. For now, LeGro awaits further proceedings as investigators continue reviewing the electronic evidence gathered from his home.
