Longmeadow middle school librarian arrested on child pornography charge

A Longmeadow middle school librarian was arrested Wednesday after he was accused of distributing child sexual abuse material to a group chat titled “Little boyz only,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. 

Federal prosecutors also allege Scott McGinley, 55, of Holyoke, kept children’s underwear, bedding, a Santa costume, diapers, diaper cream, and applesauce packets inside a locked case investigators purportedly found in his basement. 

McGinley, who faces one count of distribution of child pornography, was scheduled to make his initial appearance in court Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

McGinley worked as a school librarian for Williams Middle School and Glenbrook Middle School until Tuesday, Longmeadow Superintendent Marty O’Shea said in a letter to the school community. He had worked at the two middle schools since August 2016, O’Shea wrote. 

“Longmeadow Public Schools is cooperating fully and openly with all law enforcement agencies and has been in communication with the MA Department of Children and Families and the Longmeadow Police,” O’Shea wrote, calling the criminal matter “highly troubling and disturbing.” 

An FBI agent’s affidavit sheds further light on the allegations against McGinley. According to the court filing, McGinley sent an explicit video of a minor to the “Little boyz only” group chat last month through an encrypted messenger application. He also allegedly exchanged direct messages with an undercover law enforcement officer and disclosed his sexual preference for “boys age 2-12 … especially 4-7.” 

Authorities further allege McGinley told the undercover officer that he had students who were between the ages of 11 to 14 and “ha[d]n’t touched them sexually,” though he sat “hot boys strategically so [he could] see under their desks, and close to [him].” Investigators purportedly identified McGinley as the user in question through his IP address, according to the affidavit. 

A search of McGinley’s home and electronic devices allegedly turned up more than 100 files depicting child sexual abuse, as well as “a medley of items for children approximately five to seven years old,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. 

If convicted, McGinley faces at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000. The U.S. Attorney’s Office encouraged members of the public with questions, concerns, or relevant information to call 617-748-3274 or email [email protected].

In his letter to the Longmeadow community, O’Shea promised further communication from the district and said he has asked local law enforcement and members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI to join school officials at a series of informational meetings. The district will also make school counselors, social workers, and administrators available to students and staff, according to O’Shea. 

“Our highest priority is and always will be student safety and well being,” O’Shea wrote. “LPS has policies and protocols in place to protect students through student education, staff training and the use of background checks and mandatory reporting.”

He added: “Our community has always shown strength in difficult times. I have no doubt that we will come together now with the same care and resilience to support one another.”

Abby Patkin

Staff Writer

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.

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