An FBI agent could face disciplinary action after an investigation revealed that he used photos of female colleagues as bait in undercover sex-trafficking operations, the agency’s watchdog group said.
The unidentified special agent became the subject of an investigation after he asked a female support staffer to provide “provocative” photos of herself that he used as a lure, according to a memo from Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz on Monday.
The probe discovered that there had been other incidents in which he asked female office staff to pose as minor children or sex workers.
While their faces were blurred and they remained clothed, the women never provided written consent for the photos to be used in the sting operations, Horowitz said.
The agent had urged the women “not tell anyone, including their supervisors, about the UC [undercover] operations,” Horowitz said.
“This conduct poses potential adverse consequences” for the support staffers, Horowitz said, adding that it could put them “in danger of becoming the victims of criminal offenses.”
It’s unclear when the incidents occurred.
Brian Turner, an executive assistant director at the FBI, vowed in a response to the memo that the bureau will “evaluate existing policy and determine which policies require adjustment.”
The findings will be sent to the Office of Professional Responsibility to determine whether the special agent should face disciplinary measures.
With Post wires