The Washington State Patrol put out this press release tonight. A Spokane firefighter named Todd Chism was accused of downloading child porn, but it turns out he was a victim of identity theft.

You can read more at Todd Chism's Web site. Another news story on it can be found here.

The Washington State Patrol's Missing and Exploited Children's Task Force has found no evidence that Nine Mile Falls resident Todd Chism engaged in downloading of child pornography on his home or work computers. The investigation into Mr. Chism is concluded.

The State Patrol's Criminal Investigation Division also opened an Identity Theft case, in which Mr. Chism and his wife were listed as victims. Detectives were unable determine the identity of the person who downloaded child pornography using the Chism's credit card.

This investigation was conducted in good faith, with the intent of protecting children exploited in the production of child pornography. The purpose of any investigation is to determine the facts. In this case, the critical fact needed was whether or not there was child pornography on Mr. Chism's computers. All computers and digital media taken from the Chism home and workplace were thoroughly reviewed, and no child pornography was found.

Internet technology changes on an almost daily basis. Identity thieves and child pornographers are expert at adapting and changing their methods in order to avoid detection, as they apparently did in this case. One of the lessons learned here is the complexity of investigations involving potential identity theft and computers.