Pulitzer-Winning WaPo Journalist Busted in Shocking Child Porn Arrest

A longtime Washington Post video editor has been charged with possessing disturbing child sexual abuse content after federal agents raided his home. The case dates back nearly two decades and involves his use of a notorious payment platform linked to illegal content.

Key Facts:

Thomas Pham LeGro, 48, was charged with possession of child pornography after a raid on his Washington, D.C., home.
The FBI recovered 11 videos depicting child sexual abuse from a laptop and other devices at the residence.
LeGro worked at the Washington Post for 18 years and was promoted to deputy video editor in February 2024.
He was connected to a 2005 investigation involving E-Gold, a payment service used by child porn websites.
The Washington Post confirmed LeGro is on leave and acknowledged the seriousness of the charges.

The Rest of The Story:

Thomas LeGro, who shared in a 2018 Pulitzer Prize at The Washington Post, was arrested after federal agents allegedly found explicit child abuse material on his personal and work-related devices.

Authorities say they seized a laptop and discovered broken hard drive parts during the raid.

Among the recovered files were 11 videos that agents say contain child sexual abuse.

This arrest stems from a new investigation initiated just last month.

However, the suspect had already appeared on law enforcement’s radar nearly 20 years ago.

In 2005, LeGro was linked to an E-Gold account used to pay for child pornography, and a 2006 subpoena tied him to two more accounts using his address and phone number.

Despite these red flags, LeGro continued his career at The Washington Post uninterrupted.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated this case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative to fight online child exploitation since 2006.

The FBI and local police worked together on the investigation.

LeGro now faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

Award-Winning Journalist Arrested and Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

🔗https://t.co/fLjXZGyCO2 @USAttyPirro @FBIWFO pic.twitter.com/jYz4IRjc4z

— U.S. Attorney DC (@USAO_DC) June 27, 2025

Commentary:

This case is more than an individual scandal—it’s a damning reflection on the institution that employed him.

For nearly two decades, LeGro worked at the highest levels of a major national media outlet, all while allegedly engaging in unspeakable behavior.

The fact that this man’s work computer reportedly held illicit material is sickening and suggests glaring security and oversight failures inside the Washington Post.

Let’s be honest: if this had happened at a conservative media outlet, it would be front-page news for weeks.

Instead, the paper that constantly positions itself as the moral compass of the nation now finds itself quietly distancing from a child porn suspect who once helped them win a Pulitzer.

This wasn’t just any Pulitzer, either—it was for coverage that destroyed the candidacy of Roy Moore, who was accused of inappropriate behavior with minors.

The irony couldn’t be more twisted.

The Washington Post was busy going after Moore for allegedly preying on underage girls while employing a man who may have been doing something far worse.

Where were the Post’s internal checks? No device audits? No background review after his name came up in a child porn-linked payment platform years ago?

It seems the Post has been so fixated on tearing down its political enemies that it couldn’t bother to protect children from its own staff.

This is a clear failure of leadership and judgment.

When your newsroom is so consumed with politics that it forgets to police its own people, the consequences can be devastating—and criminal.

Every device in that office should be audited.

The Department of Justice should prosecute LeGro to the fullest extent of the law.

If convicted, he should spend the maximum 20 years behind bars. No plea deals. No second chances.

The nature of these crimes demands nothing less.

The Bottom Line:

Thomas LeGro’s arrest for possessing child sexual abuse material while employed at one of the nation’s leading newspapers is a horrifying breach of trust.

This case raises serious questions about how the Washington Post handles internal oversight and accountability.

The justice system now has a responsibility to deliver a penalty that reflects the gravity of these alleged crimes.