Jailed over locked computer, ex-cop loses again in court

PHILADELPHIA — A U.S. appeals court has rejected a fired police sergeant’s stance that forcing him to unlock his encrypted computer files in a child porn investigation would violate his constitutional rights. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Monday noted that police already had forensic evidence that Rawls had child pornography stored on his computer hard drive, including a relative’s statement and electronic fingerprints showing he had downloaded it. “Law enforcement is asking to produce evidence that they don’t have to aid in his conviction.” Rawls, 38, is expected to remain behind bars until he decides to cooperate, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rotella said. Rawls later spent hours in a police laboratory, unlocking a new phone he had gotten but claiming, as he tried different passwords, that he couldn’t recall the one to access the encrypted hard drive.