Overview

• Howard M. Saal, 73, appeared in federal court on August 12 on charges of transporting and possessing child pornography.
• The FBI’s ongoing review of Saal’s electronic devices uncovered a vast cache of illicit material, including images depicting victims as young as newborns.
• Authorities say there is no evidence so far linking any Cincinnati Children’s Hospital patients to the alleged content.
• The investigation began when a Hamilton County Sheriff’s detective on the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force pursued a cyber tip about child pornography image searches.
• Prosecutors are seeking prison terms of five to 20 years under federal statutes and officials are urging anyone with information or who believes they may be a victim to contact investigators.