Florida- A Department of Children and Families spokesman who was recently arrested for allegedly producing child pornography was arrested on a federal charge today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office just reported.
Albert Zimmerman, a former television journalist who was hired by DCF in 2005, was arrested Feb. 1 in Lakeland on eight counts of using a child in a sexual performance, a second-degree felony.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Zimmerman allegedly took sexually explicit pictures and videos of two 16-year-old boys in 2006 and 2007. Zimmerman is accused of paying both boys with cash or money order.
Zimmerman was scheduled to make his first appearance in federal court this afternoon in Tampa to face the new charge.
DCF has since fired him from his job.
The agency has also agreed to go back and do background checks on all workers.
After his initial arrest, it was discovered Zimmerman had arrests on his record for drunk driving and an open warrant in Texas.
