A Texas man has been arrested on charges related to alleged possession of child pornography while working temporarily as a school bus driver in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Court documents reveal that the Fairbanks Police Department (FPD) received information in December 2024 about a USB drive found at a hotel business center in Fairbanks. The drive allegedly contained child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). The USB drive was handed over to the FBI Anchorage Field Office for forensic examination.
On January 30, 2025, federal agents successfully imaged and extracted data from the USB drive. They discovered information linking it to Scott O’Toole, a 60-year-old resident of Joshua, Texas. Images depicting alleged child sexual abuse were also found on the drive. Within 24 hours of reviewing the USB drive, law enforcement located and arrested O’Toole in Texas.
Further court allegations state that O’Toole was on Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY) as a school bus driver in Fairbanks between November and December 2024. He stayed at the hotel where the USB drive was discovered before returning to Texas shortly after its discovery.
O’Toole faces one count of possession of child pornography in Alaska's District Court. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The announcement was made by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Vogel from Alaska’s District and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day from the FBI Anchorage Field Office.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI Anchorage Field Office with assistance from FPD and Texas State Troopers. Anyone with information regarding O’Toole’s alleged actions is urged to contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office or provide tips anonymously online.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander is prosecuting this case, with coordination from colleagues in Texas' Eastern District.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts across federal, state, and local levels.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.