Former Florida Department of Children and Families spokesperson, Al Zimmerman sentenced to 24 years

May 8, 11:57 AMTampa Crime ExaminerCharisse Van Horn

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Al Zimmerman sentenced to 292 months in prison

Al Zimmerman was sentenced to 292 months in prison for the production of child pornography. He was a former spokesperson for the Florida Department of Children and Families and called attention to the way the state organization conducts background checks.

The conviction follows his arrest on February 1, 2008, from which he was consequently fired from his DCF position. The February 1, 2008 child pornography arrest was not Zimmerman’s first brush with the law. Previously a reporter for Bay News 9, Zimmerman was arrested in 2003 on worthless check charges. Zimmerman left Bay News 9 in 2003 and went to work for the Florida Department of Children and Families in 2004.

View Al Zimmerman's Charge Report Here 2/11/2008

View Al Zimmerman's Charge Report Here 2/1/2008

View Al Zimmerman's Charge Report Here 8/08/2003

Below is the original press release issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2008

State CyberCrime Investigators Arrest State Employee for
Producing Child Pornography

TALLAHASSEE, FL - A joint investigation between the Attorney General's CyberCrime Unit, the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement, the Tampa Police Department, the Department of Children and
Families, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has tonight led to the arrest of Al Zimmerman, an
employee of the Department of Children and Families. Zimmerman was taken into custody and charged
with eight counts of using a child in a sexual performance, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15
years per count.

Investigators determined that at least two victims between the ages of 16 and 17 were solicited by
Zimmerman to perform lewd acts, which were used by Zimmerman to create child pornography. The
criminal investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available at this time. Zimmerman was
booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.

Zimmerman was hired by the Department in March 2005. He most recently served as a Department
spokesperson. He was terminated immediately.

Statement released by Attorney General Bill McCollum:
"Every photograph, every image, every lasting impression of a child's sexual abuse perpetuates this
horrible crime over and over again. CyberCrime knows no boundaries, targets all demographics, and
should never fail to galvanize us into action to protect our children from these predators."

Statement released by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey:
“Law enforcement has no tolerance for those who victimize our children. We appreciate the full
cooperation of the Department of Children and Families and the close collaboration of local, state and
federal law enforcement partners in this case.”

Statement released by the Tampa Police Department:
Sergeant Mumford of the Tampa Police Department Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Unit released the
following statement: "A cooperative effort on the part of all agencies involved has brought a successful
conclusion to this investigation. We appreciate the assistance of all agencies involved."

Statement released by Department of Children and Families Secretary Bob Butterworth:
“The alleged actions of Mr. Zimmerman are a betrayal of trust to this Department, its employees, and the
people we serve. We know the children and families of Florida rely on us to protect them, and in taking
that responsibility, we pledge to keep them safe.

“I applaud the work of the Attorney General’s CyberCrime Unit, the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement and the Tampa Police Department for their swift and thorough efforts to take action in this
matter.
“In light of this incident, I am asking the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to work with the
Department to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if any child in the state’s care has been
victimized. Mr. Zimmerman’s alleged conduct is an egregious breach of the public trust and will not be
tolerated. He has been terminated.”

Zimmerman was taken into custody by authorities in Lakeland and will be transported to Hillsborough
County to be booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. The probable cause affidavit and booking photo
can be obtained from the Hillsborough County Orient Road Jail at (813) 247-8000. He will be prosecuted
by the Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution and faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted
of all charges. The investigating agencies are all members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces

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