Former DCF spokesman arrested on federal child porn charges

LAKELAND -- The former spokesman for the Florida Department of Children and Families was arrested on federal child pornography charges Monday, his second round of child pornography charges in about a week's time.

Al Zimmerman, 40, was arrested in Lakeland on charges of production of child pornography, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill. He was scheduled to make his first appearance in federal court this afternoon.

Authorities say Zimmerman -- who was fired from his job as DCF press secretary on Feb. 1 after his arrest on eight state counts of using a child in a sexual performance -- paid two teenage boys money to pose nude and masturbate for photographs. Investigators say the victims were 16 and 17 at the time.

DCF Secretary Bob Butterworth has said Zimmerman met one of the boys through his job at the department, which oversees the care of the state's abused and neglected children.

U.S. Attorney spokesman Steve Cole said in a news release today that Zimmerman sent e-mails to one victim and discussed the production of child pornography, how the pictures would be brokered in Germany and payment for the photographs.

If convicted, Zimmerman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to 30 years in prison on the federal charges. He faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted of the eight state charges.

- Melanie Ave, Times staff writer