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March 30, 2005
Former boy scout official admits child porn charge
March 30, 2005 [Associated Press]
Fort Worth, Texas - former Boy Scouts of America official who ran a task force to protect children from sexual abuse yesterday admitted a child pornography charge.
Douglas Smith, 61, was accused of receiving internet images of children engaging in sex acts. He admitted possessing and distributing child pornography.
Smith, who lives in Colleyville, near Fort Worth, Texas, faces five to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 (£133,000). He will be sentenced on July 12.
Smith, who worked for the scouts for 39 years, was a national programme director and for two years had led its youth protection task force which worked to shield young people from sexual abuse. However, he did not work directly with children, officials said.
He was put on leave last month as soon as the organisation learned of the allegations, and he then retired.
Gregg Shields, national spokesman for the Boy Scouts, said the organisation was shocked and dismayed.
"This is the action of one individual. It certainly doesn't represent our values or mission," Shields said.
Law enforcement officials indicated the pictures did not show boys who were scouts, he added.
Posted by Nancy at March 30, 2005 08:27 PM