U.S. senator's top aide put on leave after child porn raid

[News_Editor]

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- Ryan Loskarn, the chief of staff to U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, was placed on administrative leave Wednesday after law enforcement officers raided his residence in Washington, D.C. as part of an investigation into child pornography, the Republican lawmaker said.

Lori McCallister, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), confirmed the agency had carried out a "law enforcement action" in Southeast D.C. on Wednesday morning. "All documents related to this law enforcement action are currently under seal, therefore no additional information can be provided at this time," she said.

But in a brief statement, Alexander said officers were searching the personal residence of his longtime aide regarding allegations that involve child pornography. "I am stunned, surprised and disappointed by what I have learned. Based on this information, I immediately placed Mr. Loskarn on administrative leave without pay," he said.

Priscilla Carver, who witnessed the raid, told the Politico news website that seven agents showed up at Loskarn's home just before 7 a.m. local time. She said the agents, accompanied by four unmarked cars, were yelling and banging on the door before police tape was put up around the residence.

Politico reported that Loskarn was in handcuffs when he was placed into an unmarked car and driven away. The agents put several bags of evidence and a computer in an SUV belonging to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which is leading the investigation, according to the website. It said agents also went to Alexander's Senate office to seek access to Loskarn's work computer.

McCallister could not confirm whether Loskarn had been arrested, and U.S. Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The top aide has worked on Capitol Hill for years, including in the offices of the House Rules Committee, former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl, former U.S. Representative Wally Herger, and U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn. After serving as staff director for the Senate Republican Conference, Loskarn was named Alexander's chief of staff in 2012.

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