Pennsylvania radiologist charged for possessing child pornography

A Pittsburgh radiologist has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of possessing and attempting to transport child pornography. 

The U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania, announced the two-count indictment on Sept. 4, with 53-year-old Ashok Panigraphy, MD, the sole defendant. In November 2022, the physician allegedly attempted to transport materials depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor in interstate commerce, according to the indictment. 

Panigraphy had worked as a professor and radiologist-in-chief at UPMC Children’s Hospital but was terminated in November after law enforcement shared word of the investigation, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He received his MD from Boston University and completed his residency and post-doctoral work in pediatric radiology at the University of California, Los Angeles. 

Panigraphy entered a not-guilty plea on Sept. 3 and was released for home detention on a $50,000 bond. A judge ordered the physician to remain within the Northern District of Illinois, western Pennsylvania for court appearances, and eastern PA for attorney meetings only, the Daily Voice reported. He’s also permitted to seek psychological treatment and use his personal computer, with restrictions. 

The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both. The final sentence imposed will be based on the seriousness of the offense and past criminal history, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Homeland Security conducted the investigation in Pittsburgh and Chicago leading up to the indictment. Panigraphy’s case was brought by authorities as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat the “growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.” 

An indictment only represents an accusation, with the radiologist presumed innocent until proven guilty, authorities noted.