Former Florida cop sentenced to federal prison for possession of child porn

On June 4 in a South Florida federal courtroom, a former police officer with Florida’s Boynton Beach Police Department was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possessing child pornography.  The video and still images with which the former cop was busted, included children under age 12 engaged in sex acts.  As part of his sentence, former police officer Gabriel Albala, 45, of Margate, Florida, will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

According to court records, law enforcement learned of Albala following the arrest of a man who sold child pornography on the Internet. Review of the seller’s records included financial transaction and other information that led authorities to Albala. Officers executed a search warrant at Albala’s home.

Police found a desktop computer in his bedroom that contained multiple images of children engaged in sexual activity. Some of the pornographic videos involved children under 12. Law enforcement also found child pornography on Albala’s cellular telephone. On January 17, 2020, Albala pled guilty to possessing child pornography.

Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida credited the investigative efforts of the FBI and, in particular, the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. She also commended the Boynton Beach Police Department and Margate Police Department for their assistance.

The criminal case against Albala was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  

(Cover Image: Gabriel Albala mugshot;  Credit: Boynton Beach PD via Newsbreak.com)

(Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida)

Posted  by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter