Interim director of Senate Research Office facing child porn charges

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A man who works with lawmakers in the Georgia State Senate is accused of sharing child pornography.

Alexander Azarian is accused of sending and receiving sexual messages with minors since 2007.

Azarian served as interim director of the Georgia Senate Research Office.

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“Last week, the Senate was notified of the arrest of a current employee, Alex Azarian. He has been suspended indefinitely and a new interim director has been named. As the investigation continues, all relevant staff members will continue to cooperate with relevant law enforcement agencies,” Georgia Senate Research Office Chief of Staff Steve Tippins said in a statement.

Channel 2′s Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell tried to speak with Azarian at his home in Smyrna, but no one answered the door.

Residents who live in Cobb County are shocked to learn about the charges.

“It’s a horrible thing. It’s disgusting. There needs to be some sort of vetting process, a better vetting process than what’s in place. These types of things shouldn’t happen by these people in these positions. If there was some sort of way that we could screen these individuals a little better we could maybe eliminate some of this,” said Christopher Brantley, who lives in Cobb County.

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According to the arrest warrant, Yahoo contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an email account sending and receiving child sexual abuse images since 2007.

Investigators said Azarian admitted the email address belonged to him but wanted to speak with an attorney when he was asked about child sex abuse.

Police searched Azarian’s home last week after securing a search warrant, and said they found images of child sexual abuse on Azarian’s cellphone.

Azarian has since been released from jail on a $70,000 bond.

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