MIAMI, FL – Former New York City Councilman Dan Halloran, previously imprisoned for his role in a $200,000 bribery scheme, has been arrested again, this time on federal child pornography charges after authorities allegedly found 1,362 child abuse videos on his iPhone.
Arrest at Miami International Airport
Halloran, 54, was taken into custody Saturday at Miami International Airport during a layover from Cuba, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida.
Investigators discovered a hidden album on Halloran’s phone containing hundreds of explicit videos, including 35 involving prepubescent girls. The former councilman admitted to knowingly possessing the content, telling authorities that most of the files depicted child sexual abuse, the complaint states.
Purchasing Child Exploitation Material on Telegram
Authorities revealed that Halloran had been purchasing illegal content on Telegram, an encrypted messaging app known for illicit activities.
Since his release from prison, Halloran had been working as a dive instructor while living in Floral Park, Long Island.
From Political Corruption to Federal Child Porn Charges
Halloran was previously convicted in 2014 for his involvement in a bribery scheme aimed at rigging the 2013 NYC mayoral election. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison but was released after five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The former councilman was caught accepting $20,500 in bribes to help then-state Sen. Malcolm Smith, a Democrat, get on the Republican ballot for mayor. His attempted insanity defense in court was unsuccessful.
Legal Proceedings & Potential Sentencing
Following his latest arrest, Halloran was initially booked into the Broward County Main Jail but has since been transferred to the Federal Detention Center in Miami.
