Former NC Homeland Security officer charged with child pornography in federal court

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A former federal officer was charged with possession of child pornography Friday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Western North Carolina reported. 

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced that 42-year-old Philip Andrew Douglass, of Pineville, appeared in court Friday morning to face charges of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). 

According to allegations in the criminal indictment that was unsealed in federal court, from July 24, to Aug. 20, 2024, Douglass knowingly distributed CSAM and possessed and accessed with intent to view the material. During the time of the alleged offense, Douglass was an Enforcement and Removal Operations officer with Homeland Security Investigations. 
 
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to holding accountable those who commit crimes involving vulnerable children, especially those serving in positions of public trust,” said Ferguson. “I commend the SBI for their investigative work on this case and I thank Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance throughout the investigation.” 

The State Bureau of Investigation is leading the case. 
 
“The SBI will continue its relentless efforts to hold those who exploit our youth accountable,” said SBI Director Chip Hawley. “The SBI would like to thank the office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District, for their partnership in this case.” 
 
Douglass was released on bond and is subject to electronic monitoring and warrantless searches pursuant to the U.S. Probation Office. 
 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Cervantes in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.