Federal child porn charges filed against former U-M resident physician Stephen Jenson
Federal child pornography charges have been filed against a former resident physician at University of Michigan Hospital who authorities said left a thumb drive containing child porn in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
Stephen Jenson, 36, of Pittsfield Township, was charged Tuesday in a federal criminal complaint with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
Jenson
Records show University of Michigan officials waited 6 months to report it to police after child porn was found last May in a locked lounge residents use at the hospital.
Jenson worked at the hospital until late December. He was previously charged by Washtenaw County prosecutors with four counts of possessing child sexually abusive material and is scheduled to return to court in that case Thursday for a preliminary hearing.
To date, investigators have recovered 97 images and four videos of suspected child porn on Jenson's electronic storage devices, according to an affidavit by U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Kevin Nowakowski. The alleged illegal conduct occurred between January 2011 and Dec. 2, 2011, records say.
The delayed report to police prompted the university to conduct an internal review. At least eight people knew about the alleged crime by June 2, records show, but no one reported it to police until November. A physician who knew about the child porn came forward, in part, because of the Penn State University football child sex abuse scandal.
The university didn't fire anyone after the internal review, but said Friday that corrective action is being taken.
The U.S. Department of Education continues to look into the matter.
If convicted in the federal case of possessing child pornography, Jenson faces a minimum of five years in prison.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Lyn Barron
Sun, Nov 18, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.
I just was in court against UMICH because UMICH HR, and the General Council (at the time) reported misleading/and demeaning comments on the internet and to my personal car insurance company. UMICH HR first contacted my car insurance agent on July 2,2009. She did not have written authorization to do so and NO reason to do it except to make me look bad. The UMICH attorney said they had an authorization, but what he waved in the air in court was one I signed for State Farm to get medical information. It was signed on June 26th but not given to UMICH until MID JULY. It was all in the court file. Sheri Barron v University of Mich (and others). HR told State Farm that I had been on Workman's Compensation a few times, had a history with them so they (UMICH) were going to start IME's (I had been in a Semi accident on I94 and could not return to work due to injuries), and that I had a disability leave that was NOT physical. I had to get a lawyer because State Farm would not pay me. I lost my house in foreclosure. I had to get loans from my family and friends. The UMICH lawyer states that since I filled out 4 'incident reports' (I have been employed there since 1986) that was considered workman's compensation so HR was not lying when they said that. I NEVER was paid for any work related injury. I thought that'a what compensation meant. The court sided with UMICH. When State Farm asked the UMICH HR person for the documents that supported the above, UMICH HR told State Farm that 'they must have been destroyed.' There are so many more 'cover-ups' I could talk about.....UMICH discharged my mom after her heart attack and she died within 24 hours. She should not have been released due to the fact that she wanted to be because of the one year anniversay of her own mother's death. UMICH knew about this and called in psychiatry to see if it would be ok to discharge her. She was paranoid of staff, would hardly talk to them, was in restraints and etc. Major cover-up
15crown00
Fri, Feb 17, 2012 : 5:50 p.m.
And the mighty U of M saw fit to sit on it's hands to PROTECT THEIR IMAGE. Maybe it would be fair for the feds to Pull ALL Federal Funding from the mighty U for 10 YEARS???? Give these image preservers Something To THINK ABOUT as they become unemployed and homeless.
lumberg48108
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 4:36 p.m.
while one cannot honestly talk about this case w/o mentioning the role U-M played, THIS story is about the actual criminal charges against a person... yet the posters (and the author of the story) want to again take time to bash U-M. Haven't you had your say in that matter? Hundred of comments later and there is nothing to to say, yet we read more and more of the same comments -- to what purpose other than to rehash old news.
Matt Cooper
Sat, Feb 18, 2012 : 4:39 p.m.
15: And of course you have proof of this so-called 'cover up', right? And by proof I don't mean opinion, or what you think happened or what your cousin Larry told you he thinks happened. I mean actualy evidence of this "cover up". I mean there's got to be phone records or recordings, right? Emails? Surely there are eyewitnesses that are willing to say it was a "cover up"...right?
15crown00
Fri, Feb 17, 2012 : 5:59 p.m.
You miss the point i guess.If Uni M would have done what it should have done IN THE BEGINNING then this situation would have been resolved.But NO,Instead Uni M COVERED UP.and you're giving them a pass.Well to each his own i guess.
Mick52
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 5:30 p.m.
I agree Lumberg. This horse has been beaten to death, yet we still get posts about the evil UM cover up despite the fact they are trying to fix this. Of course that is nothing to conspiracy theorists.
trespass
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 4:49 p.m.
Thank you UM PR person. The administration is hoping that most people are like you and will tire of the story and they can get away with another act of corruption without really fixing anything.
BhavanaJagat
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.
The Law of Universal Determinism : The actions, the behavior, the choices made by any man is determined by either external or environmental causes and influences, or by internal, hidden mental causes. Dr. B.F. Skinner would give importance to environmental influences and do so for a simple reason as such causes can be directly observed and could be investigated using scientific methods. Dr. Sigmund Freud would prefer to use the method of Psychoanalysis and establish specific causes that could be found in the mind of the individual. Both of them could be correct and there could be individual mental causes and environmental factors shaping the actions, behavior, and choices of man. Dr. Jenson is not the author or creator of the images that were illegally discovered on the thumb drive and other devices he used. He simply lives in an environment where such images could be found and could be saved on devices that people use. We could explore the hidden mental cause that contributed to this action and behavior. University, and all of its employees must care for the reputation of the Institution and must work together to keep up its name and standing. If Dr. Jenson has been properly motivated, he would have served the purpose of the University and defended its reputation. His failure should not translate into a monumental failure. I commend the President and the CEO of the University Hospital System for trying to uphold the prestige of the University and they must continue to motivate all employees to join in that effort. In the Armed Forces, we would gladly give our personal lives to save the prestige of the Unit in which we happen to serve while we may be defending a heap of rubble.
julieswhimsies
Fri, Feb 17, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
No one in the Psychiatric community has found a successful treatment for Pedophilia.
Ron Granger
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
Has anyone made a formal complaint with the Michigan bar against the attorney who allegedly knew about this and failed to act? Often, they cannot take action without a formal complaint. I can't help wondering whether a crime was committed by those who learned of this and discussed it, but decided to keep it quiet. Isn't that conspiracy to obstruct justice or something similar?
Mick52
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
Ron if you are aware of any law or code of ethics that require an attorney to act in a particular fashion please state so. As far as I know if an attorney is presented with a predicament a client is involved in they are not required to make any report. So make all the formal complaints you want, that does not mean anyone has to give you any answers. In this case, the UM has reported that the attorney no longer works for the UM. That means they quit or they were let go. Perhaps the atty quit for personal reasons in re to this or something else. Or perhaps the UM found out and let them go. In either case, I am aware of no requirements that the U or the atty has to go public in regard to atty/client interactions. All of the discussion and accusations on this just seem mind boggling to me as contrary to what is common practice. If the majority think there is a need for a change it should be done in the legislature.
trespass
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 4:47 p.m.
The Unversity has refused to name the attorney and the complaint form asks for the name of the attorney but it also says that the Grievance committee can act on the basis of pubic reports.
enemyofthepeople
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
The crucial issue is that evidence of crimes, that could include rape, sex slavery, potentially murder of children, was discovered and brought to the attention of UM officials at various levels. That no UM official informed the appropriate law enforcement agency immediately of the reporting of such evidence having been discovered seems to constitute obstruction of justice.
Matt Cooper
Sat, Feb 18, 2012 : 4:44 p.m.
And exactly what evidence are you referring to? The resident who initially saw whatever it was she saw (reportedly she saw images of a suspected child porn nature), went to get security. When she returned, with security, the drive that held the images was gone. And no matter what forensics you do on the computer, they cannot tell you what was stored on the thumb drive unless those images were saved to the hard drive on the computer as well. Without the hard drive, there is no evidence.
Sesame45
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 11:06 a.m.
AnnArbor.com keeps using the same paragraph, "Records show University of Michigan officials waited 6 months to report it to police after child porn was found last May in a locked lounge residents use at the hospital." But the audit says that somebody from hospital security left a voicemail message for the police supervisor in May, and the voice mail message was never returned. How come everybody is overlooking this? Why is this police supervisor is getting a free pass when everybody else is being scrutinized?
trespass
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
The DPS and Hospital Security hate each other. The report provides no evidence that a message was left. They did not say if the Seargent said he recieved the message or not. It should be investigated but right now it is just an unsubtantiated claim that might be designed by the security officer to pass the buck to DPS.
Kai Petainen
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 5:22 a.m.
this might interest some. you have one week to submit ideas. <a href="http://hr.umich.edu/dps/facultynomination.html" rel='nofollow'>http://hr.umich.edu/dps/facultynomination.html</a> they're looking for people to be on the DPS oversight committee "Nominations are now being sought for a lecturer, emeriti, adjunct or clinical faculty representative to serve in the non-Senate faculty seat on the committee. A non-Senate faculty member (lecturer, emeriti, adjunct or clinical faculty) may nominate themselves or agree to be nominated by others by completing this online nomination form. Please submit nominations to Staff HR Services by February 24, 2012. The online election will be conducted starting March 12, and the elected representative will be appointed to the committee in April."
Publius the Younger
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 4:28 a.m.
I remain dumb founded by this case. What did the president know and when did she know it? There are a lot of people making greater than $500k a year because they are the only ones who can provide "leadership." I sincerely hope that the child in the picture is identified, not because it would be good for her, but because she could then sue the university and the individual "leaders" involved.
Matt Cooper
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 2:06 a.m.
I'm wondering why so many here seem to want so badly to believe that the UM intentionally 'covered up' for this one doctor. Was he so important to the UM that they would, as an institution, intentionally cover up such a heinous thing? Was the success of the UM mission weighing so heavily on this one, lone doctor that the entire security force, the campus police, the hospital administration and every one of the doctors co-workers is now involved in a conspiracy the likes of which the state of Michigan has never seen? Really? Or is those folks hatred of the UM so blinding that they simply want to see it fall and don't really give a hoot how it happens, so long as the University is made to look bad at every turn? Hmmm. I mean it couldn't possibly be a simple miscommunication such as the U says it was. No way!!! That would just be too easy, now wouldn't it? Well, let the conspiracy theorists have their fun. And by the way, that thing with JFK...there really were 4 shooters. And 9/11 was an inside job. And...
julieswhimsies
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 10:49 p.m.
@Matt Cooper I don't get the general tone that people on this thread are coming up with conspiracy theories. The U of M's mis-handling of this incident (and I'm sure we can agree that it was mis-handled, is the issue here). To me, the obvious "wrong-doing" on the University's part is allowing this resident to continue working while the U was continuing their private "investigation". I think The U didn't and doesn't give a rat's a** about this man. I do believe that what Administrators ARE concerned about is the sullying of the institution's image. The bright, shiny new Children's Hospital. First a young trauma patient was raped IN HER BED....and now this. I know this doc has been fired. Have they taken away his license to practice medicine as yet? Everyone likes clarity, and openness. We are not getting that here. That is really why people are angry, doc.
UtrespassM
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 3:53 a.m.
UM might have no intention to cover up for this resident physician. But UM administrators and DPS think they have responsibility to cover up whatever sounds not pretty enough.
Kai Petainen
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 3:18 a.m.
i'm not speaking on behalf of the university. my thoughts are my thoughts and they are always just my thoughts on these message boards. i give my name as i don't want to live in annonimity on these boards and to show that i do care for this city and this university. there are incredibly good questions that are being raised by folks like 'trespass', the ann arbor news, and others. i was looking at the Q&A that the university gave and this is what they said about a 'cover up' <a href="http://vpcomm.umich.edu/pa/key/qanda.html" rel='nofollow'>http://vpcomm.umich.edu/pa/key/qanda.html</a> "How does the university respond to accusations of a cover up?" "University Audits did not find an indication that anyone they spoke with intentionally delayed investigation of the allegations. However, it is clear that there were missed opportunities to appropriately report on the part of employees who were aware of the allegations in May."
Arborcomment
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 3:05 a.m.
Matt, I suggest you review previous stories on this issue. A systemic structure of competing fiefdoms and confusing reporting, authority, and procedure problems has been pointed out by this poster and others. This was literally a debacle awaiting a circumstance to happen.
justcurious
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 3:01 a.m.
Can you explain why the attorney from the Hospital General Counsel would not believe the resident and decided to close the case? Did she run it by her superiors? Did they also decide that? Can you explain why DPS didn't believe her and decided that the real police didn't need to know or investigate? I hope you can, and blow the "conspiracy theory" to pieces. They were protecting their own reputation. Having it come out into the open would have cast a shadow on their "sterling" reputation.
Sam Smith
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 2:46 a.m.
Jenson was a pediatrician. The U of M should be held accountable and had a moral if not legal reason to report this. No conspiracy, just out and out failure to do the right thing. The U of M wants to be a leader in healthcare and it needs to step up. Many people think the U of M is riding on its name and reputation and they are entitled to their opinion.
trespass
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 2:44 a.m.
It was not Dr. Jenson who was important to these attorneys. It is well known that it is the reputation of the University that is important to President Coleman and her lieutenants. These attorneys did not want to be blamed for letting something tarnish that image. It did not matter what the crime was. The worse the crime the more the embarrassment.
annarbor28
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 1:31 a.m.
@justmyopinion: I don't think that people, such as the UM lawyers and public security officers, have any understanding about how horrible these crimes against children are. It is mind-boggling that the UM authorities have no accountability, and it is likely that this issue will fade away into the Michigan sunset. Is there ANYONE in power at UM who will push for justice in this case, for the sake of the children?
Roadman
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
"If convicted in the federal case of possessing child pornography, Jenson faces a minimum of five years in prison." Kind of sad when you think that someone has thrown away a promising career in medicine and a residency in one of America's premiere university hospitals so he could download child pornography. A number of federal judges have spoken out that the mandatory minimum of five years imprisonment under this statute is unduly harsh since it gives no discretion to jurists in seeemingly mild cases.
Mick52
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.
Sometimes sentencing guidelines allow for probation for first offenses, but in searching I cannot find anything that allows that with the federal statute other than this: <a href="http://www.ehow.com/facts_7559759_downward-departure-federal-sentencing-guidelines.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ehow.com/facts_7559759_downward-departure-federal-sentencing-guidelines.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask</a> And this: <a href="http://www.ehow.com/facts_5007343_federal-mandatory-sentencing-guidelines.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ehow.com/facts_5007343_federal-mandatory-sentencing-guidelines.html</a> It appears it all depends on if a sentence if mandatory or not or if guidelines call for lesser sentences for no prior convictions.
Roadman
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 1:29 a.m.
Agreed. It harms defenseless children tremendously. And promotes the child porn industry to flourish. Possession of crack has mandatory federal minimum sentence but use usually only harms the user. Judicial discretion to fashion a proportionate setence should be available for both child porn and drug crimes.
JustMyOpinion
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.
Perhaps their appreciation of the vileness of the crime is somewhat off. It harms children who are among the least able to defend themselves, it adds to the deviancy of those who are sexually attracted to children, which is a serious transgression and it places more children in harms way. I would be more inclined to see drug offenders released and lower sentences than such pedophiles.
JustMyOpinion
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
Hope he goes away for a long time. Still believe that several executives should be fired over this.
trespass
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 12:41 a.m.
Now that it is a federal case, they will have a lot more resources to identify the children in these photographs. I wonder if now that it is a federal case that we could get a federal grand jury to investigate whether there was an obstruction of justice by the attorney who took ownership of the case and clamped down on the others in the case not to report it to police? One way or another we need an independent investigation of the cover up. Come sign a petition for an independent investigation at <a href="http://www.professrkauffmanforregent.com" rel='nofollow'>www.professrkauffmanforregent.com</a>
Mick52
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
Where is any criminal obstruction? Are you proposing that a person's attorney has to report that his client broke the law? Throughout the expansive reporting on this, I have seen not one whit of evidence of criminal obstruction. I find it curious that people are continuing to demand "independent investigation of the cover up" when the UM has brought the case to the courts, apologized for it and are looking into making sure this does not happen again. If you wish for this to be the case, I hope your petition is going to a legislator or on the ballot to put in place a law for whatever you are seeking. Good luck in turning attorneys against their clients. I am not supporting the actions of the attorney in this incident, I think they should have forwarded this to the police and not even considered looking at it. That alone is the big, and only, question here, why did this end up at the hospital attorney's office? The answer does not require a big independent investigation. If you are implying the entire UM administration is corrupt and engaging in a cover up, say so and present some real evidence. I think I know why and if you look into embarrassing incidents that arise in large organizations attempts are made to keep them quiet.
trespass
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 2:37 a.m.
Sorry, <a href="http://www.professorkauffmanforregent.com" rel='nofollow'>www.professorkauffmanforregent.com</a>
Kai Petainen
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 1:32 a.m.
"investigate whether there was an obstruction of justice" as a Canadian, I'm watching the American legal system... and thinking of becoming naturalized.... questions such as these... are fascinating to me. btw -- your link doesn't work.
annarbor28
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 12:10 a.m.
@justcurious: I believe that what was found on Dr. Weinblatt's computer were some kind of graphics, not actual pictures of children, which were reported on this person's computer and thumb drive. That is why this is even worse: there were actual children being exploited to make the pictures. These children most likely continued to be exploited after UM decided this was not crucial enough to investigate. This is one of the more sickening aspects of UM's PornGate. UM did not think this was bad enough to actually try to stop. The 1st Pediatric resident did, but she got no support from the lawyers at UM, or the UM public safety personnel. By the way it is ironic that they are called "public safety" officers. Guess that would be a selective "public", which excludes victims of child porn production.
Matt Cooper
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 1:58 a.m.
"Pictures" is a rather generalized term meaning generically an "image" unless what's contained in the picture (ie. what the images are of) is clear and identifiable. Secondly, these 'pictures' were allegedly taken from a porn site that was suspected as being a child porn site, which it is in fact not a child porn site. At least that is my understanding.
donderop
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 12:57 a.m.
From the Detroit Free Press, 1/26/12: "Police searched Weinblatt's home on Olivia Avenue Nov. 22 and found more than 100 pornographic pictures that appeared to show children and teenagers on computers seized from the house." Pictures, not graphics.
justcurious
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 12:27 a.m.
Per Jan 26 article- "During their investigation, Ann Arbor police found images of suspected child porn on computers they seized from Weinblatt's home Nov. 22, the police report says. Some of those images the federal government considers "child exploitation material," the report says. While Weinblatt reached a plea deal with county prosecutors that prohibits the county from filing any additional charges in the case, it's unclear whether federal authorities will step in. Simon Shaykhet, an FBI spokesman in Detroit, declined to comment."
justcurious
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 12:22 a.m.
annarbor28, where did you get the information that it was some kind of graphics and not actual pictures. Would that make a difference? I remember that Lee Higgins had two links that I could not open with my computer, but maybe they were from a different story.
getyourfactsright
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 12:07 a.m.
@Lee Higgins--"eight people knew, but no one was fired for not reporting" is serious hyperbole, and slanting the truth to make those who thought they were appropriately reporting sound like criminals. Also BTW, "corrective action IS [not was] being taken"
15crown00
Fri, Feb 17, 2012 : 6 p.m.
and if the shoe fits wear it.
annarbor28
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 12:03 a.m.
"At least eight people knew about the child porn. No one was fired for not reporting the crime, but corrective action was being taken." Isn't it a crime not to report child porn? I have been told by lawyer friends that not reporting it could lead to a review for possible disbarment of an attorney. What is the "corrective action" mentioned to aid and assist the victims of exploitation in this porn? Even the Chief, Ora Pescowitz, another pediatrician, only seems concerned in her statements with the reputation of UM, not the crime involved. It is so incredibly difficult to understand how this was all swept under the magic UM carpet by attorneys and "public saftey" personnel, with no apparent concern for the children involved either in the porn, or this Pediatric ER doctor's patients. This has taken UM down several notches in my estimation, as a loyal alum, I have to say this is it for me for UM spirit.
Kevin McNulty
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 5:03 p.m.
I worked at UMDPS for some years and as far as I know there is no requirement to report any crime except for specific statutes like MCL 722.623 which requires a collection of public employees to report apparent or suspected child abuse but it does not include child pornography. Another important thing about this is if the images were retained by anyone other than the police. It used to be (I have to say that because laws change) that no one can store an illegal image other than LE during an investigation. In a training session, we were told that even as an investigator you must be careful in regard to what you do with the images, as in, once a case is completely finalized (all appeals exhausted) you have to destroy the images completely. I bring this up because I am wondering if anyone in the GC's office retained the image found on the hospital computer. I know of no law that allows one's attorney to have an illegal image. If they have it they may be violating the possession law unless there has been an exception ruling by a court. I am surprised at the feds taking this case. This is not the type they usually are interested in and the penalty difference is only one year. Maybe there is more to it.
justcurious
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 12:09 a.m.
I was wondering today how his colleagues felt working next to him or over him for those six months while knowing what he allegedly harbored on his thumb drive. Were they horrified? Did they disbelieve the female resident? How could they keep it quiet? Didn't anyone care? Apparently not.
justcurious
Wed, Feb 15, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.
This is good. This crime does not deserve a slap on the wrist. Also, since, according to a previous annarbor.com article which said Ann Arbor Police found images of suspected child porn on computers they seized from (Dr.) Weinblatt's home Nov. 22, it would seem that he too would face Federal charges.
trespass
Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 12:45 a.m.
Dr. Weinblatt pled guilty to a peeping charge but I don't remember them saying what they found on his computer. Are you sure it was reported that he had child porn?