A Scots hospital chief has been arrested over claims he was found with child porn and molested a young girl in the US.
David McConnell, who is originally from Kilmarnock but moved to the States almost two decades ago, is being held in a California prison after being charged with having indecent images of children in his emails.
Detectives are probing a second allegation that the 42-year-old was in a “romantic relationship” with an 11-year-old girl after seizing his mobile.
McConnell, who lives in Martinez, near San Francisco, had previously worked as a hospital quality control director at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital and was a part- time professor at California State University Stanislaus.
He was charged with receipt of child pornography and did not enter a plea at his first court appearance last month.
Authorities are reported to have started investigating McConnell after Google sent a “cybertip” to a federal law enforcement agency reporting suspicious activity on two of his Gmail accounts.
Authorities said they found three images depicting children as young as two being abused.
Homeland Security Investigations and a Contra Costa District Attorney’s office inspector is then alleged to have uncovered messages from McConnell’s mobile that indicated he was in a “romantic relationship” with an 11-year-old girl.
In an interview with police, she made claims of at least two instances that McConnell sexually molested her.
Special Agent Stephanie Augusta said the girl “further stated in substance that McConnell told her she would get in trouble if she told anyone”.
He faces a maximum of 20 years if convicted of the pornography charge.
Authorities are still considering charges in connection with the alleged molestation.
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