Former Blue Origin worker faces federal charges in child exploitation case

A Seattle man who worked at aerospace company Blue Origin is facing federal charges accusing him of distributing child sexual abuse material and attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to a criminal charging complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

After KIRO Newsradio’s report, a spokesperson for Blue Origin confirmed that Halgren worked as a full-time, fixed-term contractor and is no longer at the company.

Eric Halgren was arrested Oct. 23, according to the charging complaint and accompanying FBI affidavit. The investigation involved undercover agents allegedly communicating with Halgren through online messaging applications over several years.

According to the affidavit, an FBI undercover employee in 2022 began communicating online with a person using a username investigators later linked to Halgren. The conversations, according to the FBI, included discussions of sexual activity involving children, and the person sent the undercover employee images investigators identified as child exploitation material.

During online conversations with an undercover employee, prosecutors say Halgren also described other, disturbing encounters he had with children, including one with an adult female and her three-year-old daughter.

Investigation continues

The investigation resumed in 2026, when an FBI employee in Salt Lake City created an undercover profile on a dating application. The affidavit says a user contacted the profile in September and began discussing sexual activity involving a purported 11-year-old girl.

Investigators allege the user was Halgren and that he continued the conversations through an encrypted messaging application. According to the affidavit, he discussed traveling to Salt Lake City to meet the undercover agent and the purported child. Investigators also allege he sent animated images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.

The complaint charges Halgren with distribution of child pornography and attempted enticement of a minor. The enticement charge alleges conduct between Sept. 14 and Oct. 19, 2026, in Snohomish County and elsewhere. The distribution charge alleges conduct in King County on or about Oct. 1.

The affidavit describes how investigators used account information and internet records to identify the person behind the online profiles. Investigators traced an account’s internet activity through service providers and linked it to Halgren, according to the filing.

FBI agents knocked on Halgren’s door early Friday morning, according to the charging complaint. An FBI agent said the suspect opened the door, then shut it in agents’ faces and smashed his cell phone. Agents broke down the front door and handcuffed Halgren.

The charging complaint says Halgren later admitted to viewing and distributing child exploitation material and admitted to sending the undercover employee child sexual abuse material and to communicating about having sexual contact with her 11-year-old daughter. An FBI agent said Halgren told them he did not intend to follow through with the scheduled meeting in Utah.

Misconduct allegations involving technology companies

Similar cases involving employees at technology and aerospace companies have raised questions about how employers respond when workers face allegations involving the sexual exploitation of children.

In 2016, Microsoft reported one of its own employees to authorities after suspected child sexual abuse material was discovered in connection with one of the company’s services. The employee was arrested on suspicion of possessing the material. Microsoft said he was placed on leave while the case was investigated.

In 2017, the founder and CEO of Vungle was arrested on charges including alleged sex crimes against a child and attempted murder. He was removed from operational responsibility, and the company appointed a new CEO. A superior court judge later dismissed all charges due to insufficient evidence.

In 2018, a contractor working with NASA’s Launch Services Program, was arrested on a charge involving possession of child sexual abuse material. He later pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

In 2019, a NASA scientist was charged with multiple counts involving possession of child pornography. He was placed on unpaid administrative leave, according to ABC 13 Houston.

In 2019, an employee at Hi-Rez Studios was arrested in a Georgia investigation involving alleged sexual contact with minors. Hi-Rez Studios told Variety he was no longer employed with the company.

In 2021, Blue Origin faced allegations of workplace sexual harassment. 21 current and former employees contributed to a public essay alleging sexual harassment and other workplace concerns. Those allegations were separate from criminal charges involving children.

At the time, a Blue Origin spokesperson told Tech Crunch, “Blue Origin has no tolerance for discrimination or harassment of any kind… We provide numerous avenues for employees, including a 24/7 anonymous hotline, and will promptly investigate any new claims of misconduct.”

The cases involve different allegations and circumstances. They do not establish a pattern at Blue Origin, and the outcomes of individual cases vary.

Halgren told a federal courtroom he works for Blue Origin, the Kent-based aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000. His LinkedIn profile lists his position as a procurement project manager, a role that involves coordinating purchases of parts, equipment and services needed to build rockets and spacecraft.

KIRO Newsradio has asked Blue Origin whether it has policies governing employees charged with crimes involving children, including whether such charges can lead to administrative leave, restrictions on job duties or termination. The company has not yet responded.

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