UPDATE 1 -- U.S. senator;s top aide arrested on child porn charges

USPA News - Ryan Loskarn, the chief of staff to U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, was arrested Wednesday after law enforcement officers raided his residence in Washington, D.C. as part of an investigation into child pornography, the U.S. Justice Department said. Jesse Ryan Loskarn, 35, was arrested on early Wednesday afternoon by officers from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) on probable cause for the possession and distribution of child pornography.

"He remains in custody pending a court hearing that is expected to be scheduled for tomorrow at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C.," said U.S. Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr. Lori McCallister, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), would only confirm the agency had carried out a "law enforcement action" in Southeast D.C. on Wednesday morning. "All documents related to this law enforcement action are currently under seal, therefore no additional information can be provided at this time," she said. Alexander earlier released a brief statement that said he had been informed by the U.S. Senate`s legal counsel`s office that Loskarn`s residence was being searched regarding allegations that involve child pornography. "I am stunned, surprised and disappointed by what I have learned. Based on this information, I immediately placed Mr. Loskarn on administrative leave without pay," he said. Priscilla Carver, who witnessed the raid, told the Politico news website that seven agents showed up at Loskarn`s home just before 7 a.m. local time. She said the agents, accompanied by four unmarked cars, were yelling and banging on the door before police tape was put up around the residence. Politico reported that Loskarn was in handcuffs when he was placed into an unmarked car and driven away. The agents put several bags of evidence and a computer in an SUV belonging to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which is leading the investigation, according to the website. It said agents also went to Alexander`s Senate office to seek access to Loskarn`s work computer. The top aide has worked on Capitol Hill for years, including in the offices of the House Rules Committee, former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl, former U.S. Representative Wally Herger, and U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn. After serving as staff director for the Senate Republican Conference, Loskarn was named Alexander`s chief of staff in 2012.