Brian J Doyle charged with seven counts of using a computer to seduce a child

A senior official at the US Department of Homeland Security has been arrested for trying to seduce a minor following an online sting earlier this week.

Brian J Doyle, a 55 year-old press secretary at the US security department, was arrested on Tuesday night at his home in Maryland as he awaited what he thought was a nude image of a 14 year-old girl.

Doyle was charged with seven counts of 'using a computer to seduce a child' and 16 counts of 'transmitting harmful materials to a minor'.

The official allegedly had sexually explicit conversations with an undercover detective who he believed was a 14 year-old girl after seeing her 'profile' on the internet.

Doyle is also accused of sending the girl harmful materials in the form of pornographic movie clips.

During other online conversations, Doyle revealed his name and that he worked for the US Department of Homeland Security. He also disclosed his office telephone number, and his government-issued mobile phone number.