Iowa City Psychologist Arrested on Child Porn Charges
May 1, 2008 10:32 pm News, psychologist, sex offendersLink located at Psychologist Arrested on Child Porn Charges
Previously posted ~~~>Iowa City psychologist arrested for child pornography
By Steve Nicoles, Reporter
By Becky OgannStory Created: May 1, 2008
IOWA CITY - An Iowa City psychologist who was arrested on child porn charges will not be seeing any patients for a while.
On Wednesday, the Iowa Board of Psychology approved a stipulated order that restricts Howard Weinberg, Ph.D. from practicing psychology.
Back on April 16th, police arrested Weinberg for allegedly having child pornography on his computer. Weinberg is officially charged with possession of images depicting the exploitation of a minor.
The stipulated order states that if Weinberg continues to practice psychology the board can revoke or suspend Weinberg’s license. The board says it will continue to investigate the matter until the criminal charge is resolved.
Police confiscated five computers from Weinberg’s home. They say they found hundreds of images and dozens of videos of child pornography on at least one of those computers. According to police many of the children appear to be 10 years old or younger and many look like they are under five.
Weinberg is a clinical psychologist in Iowa City. He has worked with couples and families, including children.
Iowa City Police Sergeant Troy Kelsay said, “Right now there is no evidence that he was making these images himself. That’s a possibility, we just don’t know yet.”
Police say there is a very real possibility more charges will be filed.
They found out about the images from a computer store working on Weinberg’s computer. An employee saw the images and called police. Police say the staff at Neo Computers is taking some heat for turning in Weinberg. Some people apparently do not like the idea that a company searching your computer can find illegal activity and report it to the cops. But police say the company did the right thing. They stress there is no right to privacy. If you take your computer in to be serviced by anyone, and that person finds evidence of criminal activity he or she should call the police.
Weinberg has been a licensed psychologist in Iowa since 1989. The State Department of Public Health regulates licenses for psychologists. The board can make an emergency decision to suspend or repeal a license if the members believe there is a risk of immediate danger to the public.
The Bureau of Professional Licensure is a Bureau within the Iowa Department of Public Health with 19 licensure boards regulating 39 professions. The mission of the professional boards is to protect the public health, safety and welfare by licensing qualified individuals and enforcing Iowa’s statutes and administrative rules fairly and consistently.