The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service, is the lead investigative agency in the child pornography case involving Sen. Lamar Alexander’s (R-TN) chief of staff.
Alexander’s office on Wednesday disclosed that law enforcement agents had searched the residence of the senator’s chief of staff, Ryan Loskarn, in connection to allegations involving child pornography.
A spokesperson for the Postal Inspection Service later confirmed to TPM that her’s was the lead agency involved in the law enforcement action at Loskarn’s Washington, D.C. address.
“All documents related to that law enforcement action are currently under seal,” Lori McCallister, a U.S. Postal Inspector, told TPM. “I honestly cannot tell you when the documents will be unsealed.”
McCallister said Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police officers “might” have been present during the search, but she emphasized that “they are not investigating this case.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. Justice Department told TPM on Wednesday that the department could not provide any additional information about the investigation, also citing the fact that the matter was under seal.
In his statement disclosing the search of his Loskarn’s home, Alexander announced that he had placed his aide on administrative leave without pay.
“I am stunned, surprised and disappointed by what I have learned,” Alexander said. “Based on this information, I immediately placed Mr. Loskarn on administrative leave without pay. The office is fully cooperating with the investigation.”
