GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Scott Allan Herrick, 39, of Twin Lakes, Michigan, was convicted of three counts of attempting to produce child pornography, U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis announced today. Herrick surreptitiously videotaped boys as they were dressing in the boys’ locker room in the YMCA in Muskegon. On the first day of trial, Herrick pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography, but chose to go to trial on the much more serious charges of attempted production.

Herrick will be sentenced, on a date to be announced, by the Honorable Paul J. Maloney, Chief U.S. District Court Judge. At sentencing, Herrick will be subject to a maximum sentence of 140 years in prison, a lifetime term of supervised release, and fines totaling $1,500,000.

Herrick was the camp director for Gerber Boy Scout Camp in Twin Lakes, Michigan. Herrick also worked as a pool safety instructor for third grade children at the YMCA in Muskegon, Michigan. Herrick was trading child pornography and was discovered during a series of undercover FBI operations. On July 1, 2010, FBI and Homeland Security Investigations – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“HSI-ICE”) agents executed a search warrant on the Gerber Boy Scout Camp and discovered evidence of child pornography. Herrick was arrested on July 8, 2010, and has been held in custody.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena said, “The FBI is committed to protecting our most precious assets, our children. Along with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will bring to justice those individuals who prey on the innocent.”

“This case is particularly troubling because of the defendant’s position of trust with young people, but it underscores HSI’s commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to stop sexual predators from exploiting our kids,” said Brian M. Moskowitz, Special Agent in Charge of ICE HSI in Michigan and Ohio.“Through Operation Predator, HSI special agents will continue to help keep people like Mr. Herrick away from our children.”

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The investigation of this matter was conducted by FBI and HSI-ICE. Prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Mekaru.

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