A longtime employee of the United States Department of Justice has been arrested after federal investigators accused him of receiving child pornography.

According to multiple sources cited by CBS News, authorities arrested Timothy Parsons, a veteran Justice Department staffer, following a search of his home in Bethesda, Maryland carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation earlier this week.

Federal agents executed the search warrant Monday while investigating potential possession of child sexual abuse material.

An FBI affidavit alleges Parsons admitted to investigators that he received a message containing child exploitation material from another individual in February 2019. Authorities say the message included multiple videos and two images depicting abuse.

According to court documents, Parsons allegedly responded to one sexually explicit image by writing: “That is so hot.”

Investigators said Parsons told agents he later deleted the messages.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed that Parsons has been placed on leave while the investigation proceeds.

“The employee is on leave and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with standard procedure,” the department said in a statement. “While we cannot comment on personnel matters, we hold all of our employees to the highest standards of ethical conduct at all times.”

The investigation reportedly surfaced while authorities were pursuing another case involving former child psychotherapist Victor Blythe.

Court filings indicate the material allegedly sent to Parsons came from a suspected child exploiter whose case matches details tied to Blythe’s 2025 criminal prosecution, according to reporting from CBS.

During the search of Parsons’ residence, agents seized several electronic devices.

The FBI affidavit notes that investigators conducted an initial on-site review of the devices but did not immediately locate child abuse material. A comprehensive forensic examination of the devices is now underway as part of the ongoing investigation.

Parsons was reportedly alone at the residence when agents arrived.

He is scheduled to appear in court Friday, and as of now has not entered a plea.