Former Georgia Institute of Technology (Ga. Tech) professor Faiz Al-Khayyal has been indicted in Fulton and Clayton Counties for allegedly possessing images of child pornography. An investigation revealed images of suspected child pornography in both Al-Khayyal’s Ga. Tech office in Fulton County and on his Ga. Tech issued laptop computer which was seized from his person at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Clayton County.

A Fulton County Grand Jury returned a 172 count indictment against Al-Khayyal for Sexual Exploitation of Children (O.C.G.A. § 16-12-100) in Fulton County Superior Court on August 2, 2011. A Clayton County Grand Jury returned a 29 count indictment for Sexual Exploitation of Children (O.C.G.A. § 16-12-100) in Clayton County on August 3, 2011.

Assistant Attorney General Laura Pfister is prosecuting the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, headed up by Agent Vaughn Estes.

Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual(s) against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government’s burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.