TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Robert Thomas Darenberg, 34, of Jacksonville, was sentenced today to forty-eight months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. The Court ordered that Darenberg pay $15,000.00 in restitution, serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison term, and register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
In November 2018, law enforcement officers received information that Darenberg, then employed as an information technology specialist with the Middle District of Florida’s United States Attorney’s Office, was in possession of child pornography. During the investigation, Darenberg was arrested on a criminal complaint and a federal search warrant was authorized resulting in the seizure of his personal computer and other digital media. A forensic review of Darenberg’s personal computer confirmed his attempts to encrypt and conceal files containing approximately 1,630 images of child pornography, including approximately 270 videos.
“This information technology specialist thought he could outsmart law enforcement, but thanks to the hard work of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Northern District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office, and HSI, he is facing the same consequences as every other criminal,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero.
Added U.S. Attorney Keefe: “Those who possess child pornography enable and participate in a despicable practice that preys on the most innocent among us. There is a special place for that kind of deviant mind – and for this defendant, that place is federal prison.”
