Ride the Lightning

Attorney Web Chats from Law Firm IP Address: Child Porn Charges Follow

February 24, 2016

According to a story in the ABA Journal and another story in South Florida Sun Sentinel, court records say a Florida attorney came to the attention of law enforcement when he chatted online in January with an undercover agent for the Vermont state attorney general's office on a "daddaughtersex" chat room.

David Rothenberg, 47, has been arrested on federal child pornography charges based on material authorities say Rothenberg sent to the undercover agent while trying to persuade her to help him develop a relationship with her purported 13-year-old daughter. The conversations took place from an Internet Protocol address for a computer at the Fort Lauderdale law firm for which he worked, according to the criminal complaint. Based on his LinkedIn profile, that firm is Quintairos, Prieto, Wood, & Boyer, P.A., although (unsurprisingly) his name no longer appears on the firm's website.

Rothenberg told the agent he had been abusing a real-life victim. An alleged victim was present at his home when he was arrested over the weekend and a second potential victim was identified from a photograph by his wife.

Rothenberg appeared in federal court in Fort Lauderdale on Monday and was ordered held until at least Friday, when arguments can be presented. Prosecutors are contending that he is a danger to the community and should be held until trial.

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