Former pediatric nurse charged in ICE child pornography investigation

TACOMA, Wash. – A former Doernbecher Children's Hospital pediatric nurse connected to the online screen name "Kidluver" was arrested on federal criminal charges Friday morning for possessing, receiving and distributing child pornography.

Bryan W. Corbitt, 43, of Washougal, is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court Friday afternoon on charges contained in a criminal complaint. The case is the result of a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

In November 2011, HSI special agents identified a suspect sharing child pornography over a peer-to-peer network using the screen name "Kidluver." Investigators traced the screen name and illegal online activity to Corbitt's Washougal residence. Based on that information, HSI executed a search warrant at Corbitt's home Feb. 1. It was then they learned that he was a pediatric intensive care nurse at Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, Ore.

According to OHSU, which has cooperated fully with the case, the hospital placed Corbitt on unpaid administrative leave immediately after learning about the allegations. Corbitt resigned his position Feb. 10. Corbitt began working at the hospital in July 2002.

Receipt and distribution of child pornography is punishable by not less than five years and not more than 20 years in prison. Possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington. The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is part of HSI's Operation Predator, a nationwide initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who sexually exploit children, and Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice effort launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

As part of Operation Predator, HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Justice Department's Criminal Division, PSC marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov or call the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington and ask to speak with the PSC coordinator.