MN Inmate Hacked Prison-Issued Tablets To Access Child Porn: Police

FARIBAULT — A Minnesota prison inmate at MCF-Faribault is facing 22 new felony charges for using a hacked Department of Corrections-issued tablet to access child pornography, according to Rice County prosecutors.

Devin Jarid Vu, 27, was charged Thursday by the Rice County Attorney’s Office with 22 counts of possessing pornographic images involving minors.

At the time of the offenses, which occurred in September and October, Vu was already serving a prison sentence for previous convictions of possessing similar illicit material, authorities said.

Vu used a tablet, issued as part of an inmate educational program, to unlock restricted software, gain internet access, and view explicit images of minors, according to investigators.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Corrections’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI), which discovered that 22 tablets had been tampered with to bypass restrictions, enabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality.

Forensic analysis revealed that Vu’s tablet had been used to access restricted websites and was linked to over 20 images of child sexual abuse material depicting girls estimated to be between the ages of 4 and 13, according to prosecutors.

OSI turned the evidence over to the Faribault Police Department, which continued the investigation in collaboration with the DOC.

The results of the investigation and referral for charges were submitted to the Rice County Attorney’s Office, which filed the new charges against Vu.

"When the DOC’s Office of Special Investigations was investigating reported irregularities in the use of educational technology tablets by a small group of men, they discovered possible child pornography, prompting the case to be turned over to the Faribault Police Department," said Paul Schnell, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

"We are grateful for the collaborative investigative efforts of the Faribault Police Department and the swift review and charging decision by the Rice County Attorney’s Office. While the internal investigations into the method of access to the child pornography continues, we want to acknowledge the importance of local partnerships in the advancement of public safety."

The Faribault Police Department and Rice County Attorney’s Office said they value their relationship with the Department of Corrections.

“This incident demonstrates the dedication and collaborative work of the Department of Corrections, Faribault Police Department, and our office to ensure the safety of all residents in the City of Faribault, and Rice County,” said County Attorney Brian Mortenson.

“Unfortunately, this case also demonstrates the danger presented by people who exploit children and the ease with which child sexual abuse media can be accessed,” continued Mortenson, “This is why we have two special victim prosecutors who tirelessly work to hold these offenders accountable and give victims a voice.”