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Ex-DCF worker gets probation for lying to investigators

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 2, 2009

TAMPA - A former Department of Children & Families employee was sentenced today to two years of probation for lying to investigators to help his friend, former DCF spokesman Al Zimmerman.

Michael Hernandez, a former DCF technology worker, pleaded guilty to making false statements and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew.

Zimmerman, who was fired from the department after his arrest last year, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography and was sentenced in May to 24 years in prison.

Zimmerman, 41, was accused of making sexually explicit photos and videos of two 16-year-old boys. Authorities said he met one of the boys through his job with DCF.

When Zimmerman was arrested, authorities identified Hernandez as his sex partner. Officials said Hernandez helped Zimmerman get rid of evidence by throwing away his home computer and wiping his work laptop clean.

According to Hernandez's plea agreement, the two men met at work in 2007. Hernandez was a computer technician for DCF while he attended college. At the time, Zimmerman was 39 and Hernandez was 23.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837.

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