Right In Our Own Back Yards! Predators in Plain Site - How Do We Protect Our Children

Middle school librarian facing child pornography charges

This is a story out of Longmeadow, MA, just this past week. A middle school Librarian arrested on multiple charges of child pornography, chat room searches about young boys, and creepy findings in his basement. This is so disturbing as this abuser was sizing up his victims, as he was working in school. He even strategically sat them by his attraction to them, so he could look under their desks to observe them.

The youth didn’t even know what was actually happening, and that is the even more scary part. This is how easy it is for a predator to infiltrate themselves into a prime situation as this one, “The school librarian”, surrounded by countless children.

We need to start teaching our children at a young age how to identify “odd behaviors” and speak up. Many students were interviewed after the arrest, and they all said they same things.

“He was very odd and creepy”… RED FLAG!!!! They were picking up on his energy.

How did this man make his way into the public school system? It is easier than many would think. He flew under the radar until he was caught. He became bolder, going into these chat rooms talking about students, and saying lude and sexual things about them. He also said he likes his boys YOUNG. That is so disturbing, but it makes sense. They are the easiest targets.

All schools should be teaching a class on “Stranger Danger” & “Self-Protection”.

Parents and guardians need to be doing the same thing at home. It is the only way that we can give our youth the defense tools that they need to protect themselves.

Awareness is key!

Lisa Zarcone

Author - Child & Mental Health Advocate - Public Speaker - Blogger - Social Media Influencer - CASA Advocate - Naasca (MA) Advocate

Here is an excerpt from the article.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said 55-year-old Scott McGinley of Holyoke has been charged with one count of distribution of child pornography.

Prosecutors allege that McGinley, who works as a school librarian at Williams Middle School and Glenbrook Middle School in Longmeadow, distributed child sexual abuse material to a group called “Little boyz only” through an encrypted messenger application. When undercover law enforcement, posing an app user, he allegedly disclosed that his sexual preference was boys 12-years-old and younger.

They added in a statement that McGinley reportedly told the undercover law enforcement agent that he has “students” who were “11-14 years old” but, “ha[d]n’t touched them sexually,” and that he sat “hot boys strategically so [he could] see under their desks, and close to [him],” and made graphic sexual statements about the boys.

A search of McGinley’s person and residence on Friday reportedly led to the discovery of several electronic devices, including two smartphones, a smart watch, a tablet, and two laptops. Investigators also reportedly found a locked case in the basement, which allegedly contained several items that would be appropriate to kids ages five to seven years old, including “assorted children’s clothes, a Santa costume, diapers, diaper cream and apple sauce packets,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The case also allegedly contained a toolbox with boys’ underwear and bedding stuffed inside. A forensic investigation of one of his phones reportedly led to the discovery of over 100 files depicting child sexual abuse material and a review of his other devices is ongoing.