Editorial: Need for vigilance underscored

Monday, April 10, 2006 | 7:06 a.m.

Last week's arrest of a Homeland Security Department official on sexual misconduct charges sent federal officials scrambling to make sure the alleged actions didn't result in a national security breach.

But it also should serve as a reminder to adults that those who prey upon children over the Internet can be anyone - including people we otherwise would trust. According to the Associated Press, Brian J. Doyle, Homeland Security's fourth-ranking press spokesman, was arrested Wednesday on charges of sexually preying on who he thought was a 14-year-old girl. The "girl" was actually a police detective who investigates such crimes.

Doyle, 55, is accused of providing numbers for his office and government-issued cell phones, showing off his department ID and may have used his official computer in the alleged communications that included transmitting pornographic images, the AP reports. Doyle, who has resigned, was being held without bail while the Florida law enforcement officials sought his extradition. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told the AP that "individuals misstep," but he doubted Doyle's alleged actions breached national security.

That offers little comfort to parents and other adults who worry about Internet predators luring children into harm's way. It is even more frightening to learn that such individuals could include, if he is found guilty, an official in a federal office charged with protecting the American people.