Crime
Washington Post Journalist Thomas Pham LeGro Arrested on Federal Child Pornography Charges
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thomas Pham LeGro, 48, a journalist employed by The Washington Post and a resident of the District of Columbia, made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court following his arrest on federal charges related to the possession of child pornography.
The arrest was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, who acknowledged the work of the FBI Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in the ongoing investigation.
Pirro specifically commended FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen and MPD Chief Pamela Smith for their continued collaboration and dedication.
According to court documents, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at LeGro’s residence on June 26, 2025, as part of a child exploitation investigation.
During the search, agents recovered several electronic devices for forensic examination. A preliminary review of LeGro’s work-issued laptop reportedly revealed a folder containing 11 video files depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
In addition, investigators noted that while executing the warrant, they discovered what appeared to be shattered fragments of a hard drive scattered in the hallway just outside the room where the laptop was found—suggesting a potential attempt to destroy evidence.
LeGro was taken into custody without incident and formally charged with possession of child pornography, a federal offense that carries significant penalties upon conviction.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
The multi-agency task force includes federal agents and detectives from Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., and focuses on identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in crimes against children and human trafficking.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information relevant to this case is encouraged to contact the FBI Washington Field Office.
Note: An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.