A former vice chair of radiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of sexually exploiting a minor, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Pennsylvania
In November 2022, Ashok Panigrahy, 53, transported and attempted to transport material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor in interstate commerce, as well as possessed material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the indictment.
Homeland Security Investigations in Pittsburgh and Chicago conducted the investigation leading to the indictment, with the case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat “the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse,” the statement noted.
Panigrahy entered a not-guilty plea on September 3 and was released for home detention on a $50,000 unsecured bond, according to a report by the Daily Voice.
WXPI News reported that Panigrahy was placed on administrative leave and then terminated after UPMC officials learned about the investigation.
