Michael Mizrachy, Child Pornography Possession, Florida 2020

South Florida Pediatrician Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

In a shocking turn of events, Michael Mizrachy, a 49-year-old pediatrician from Parkland, Florida, has been detained on federal charges of possessing child pornography. Mizrachy's arrest comes after a thorough investigation by the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

According to the federal complaint affidavit, in June 2020, the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a CyberTip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children about files depicting child pornography being uploaded to an email account. The investigation led law enforcement to Mizrachy, who worked as a pediatrician in Broward County, Florida.

During a search warrant at Mizrachy's home in Parkland, Florida, law enforcement officers obtained evidence that Mizrachy used an instant messenger application to obtain child pornography and communicate with minors about sex.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle ordered pre-trial detention for Mizrachy, meaning he will remain in custody pending his federal trial. If convicted, Mizrachy faces up to 20 years in prison.

Mizrachy also faces a pending state criminal case in connection with the alleged conduct. The investigation was led by HSI Miami, with assistance from the Broward County Sheriff's Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke Latta and Ajay Alexander are prosecuting the case.

A federal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Related court documents can be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 21-mj-6102.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/south-florida-pediatrician-detained-federal-child-pornography-possession-charge