A Michigan Boy Scout camp director and YMCA pool safety instructor has been indicted on multiple sex crimes charges following a nationwide undercover sting operation aimed at child predators.

Scott Allan Herrick, a resident of Twin Lakes, was arrested in early July and named last week in a seven-count federal indictment. He has been charged with using a cell phone camera to create sexually explicit images of children, as well as possession and distribution of child pornography.

The investigation began in April from Rochester, New York, where an undercover FBI agent gained access to a private Internet network of individuals sharing sexually explicit videos and images of children. The agent established contact with Herrick, who, using a code name, sent him hundreds of pornographic files. The FBI was able to trace the images back to Herrick.

The FBI thereafter obtained a search warrant for Herrick's residence at the Boy Scout camp in Twin Lakes. Examination of his computer there uncovered additional files of sexually explicit materials, including images of sexual contact between adult men and young boys. Under questioning, Herrick admitted to downloading, possessing and distributing child pornography.

The sting was conducted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative established in 2006. An online fact sheet from the DOJ website cites the project's aim "to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children."

Related Resource: scmonitor.com "Boy Scout camp director nabbed in child pornography probe" July 22, 2010