The former network manager for the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corp. faces 76 charges of possession and distribution of child pornography, state prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Prosecutors allege Gene Geisler, 38, used the YKHC hospital's network infrastructure to collect illegal materials. Geisler used his home computer to download images and videos, according to an affidavit filed in the case.
Geisler allegedly sent pictures of child porn from Bethel to an undercover investigator working with the Alaska Bureau of Investigation in Anchorage, said Assistant Attorney General Adam Alexander. Geisler was still working for the consortium at that time, Alexander said.
Geisler possessed about 29 terabytes of "child erotica or child sexual exploitation," comprising at least 2 million images and 13,000 videos, Alexander said.
The prosecutor said this is the largest quantity of child sexual exploitation images and videos law enforcement has encountered in an Alaska case.
In September 2014, investigators traveled to Bethel and served multiple search warrants on Geisler, as well as his home, vehicle and workplace. Geisler admitted to using file-sharing software but initially denied downloading and distributing child porn, according to the affidavit.
Geisler told investigators he had a unique home computer network that he'd use to access the hospital's network from home and "piggyback" onto it for his own personal use, the affidavit says.
"When investigators arrived at Geisler's residence, they found a number of computers inside," the affidavit says. "One of them was actually running (a file-sharing program) and downloading images of child sexual exploitation as the investigators watched."
Geisler then admitted that stored child porn on his devices, according to the affidavit.
Eleven of the counts stem from videos Geisler allegedly sent to the investigator, and 56 counts of possession represent a sample of known victims identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
"Nine further counts of distribution of child pornography digital devices seized by law enforcement and are based on his alleged possession of at least nine digital devices each containing over 100 images of child sexual exploitation," the prosecutor said.
Geisler faces 12 years to life in prison. This is the first felony case he's been involved in, according to online court records.
YKHC, in a written statement Wednesday evening, said Geisler had not worked for the health agency for almost a year.
"YKHC has been fully cooperating with authorities and continue to investigate this matter internally. None of YKHC's patient data, or other sensitive information has been compromised," the statement said.
Employees with concerns can contact Shailee Nelson, YKHC's compliance administrator, at 907-543-6995, or anyone on the senior leadership team.
Anyone who knows where Geisler is should alert authorities, YKHC said.
Geisler left Bethel and remains at large. The affidavit says he fled the state. Anyone who knows about his whereabouts or any of his alleged crimes is asked to call ABI's Special Crimes Investigation Unit at 907-269-5611.