Ex-Longmeadow middle school librarian released after charge of distribution of child sex abuse materials
SPRINGFIELD — A Holyoke man working as a librarian for Longmeadow Public Schools was charged with distribution of child sex abuse materials in U.S. District Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Agents searched Scott McGinley's home last week, allegedly recovering child sex abuse materials, as well as a locked case that included children's underwear, diapers and diaper cream, among other items, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
McGinley, 55, was a middle school librarian at Glenbrook and Williams Middle schools until he filed for retirement benefits on Tuesday.
McGinley appeared in federal court Wednesday afternoon in shorts and a T-shirt after he turned himself in earlier in the day.
Defense attorney Daniel D. Kelly readily agreed to a number of strict conditions of release for his client, including a prohibition on any electronic devices with internet access, house arrest with a GPS monitor, no out-of-state travel and immediately relinquishing his passport.
"Mr. McGinley is happy to agree with each and every one of those conditions," Kelly told U.S. Magistrate Judge Katherine Robertson.
The judge noted that the defendant appeared to be prepared to take responsibility, though no more details about that were disclosed during the hearing.
Longmeadow Public Schools Superintendent Marty O'Shea informed families within the district Wednesday that the librarian was charged.
"Mr. McGinley worked at Glenbrook and Williams from Aug. 24, 2016, until Aug. 12, 2025," O'Shea said in a letter to families. "The press release describes a highly troubling and disturbing criminal matter. Longmeadow Public Schools is cooperating fully and openly with all law enforcement agencies and has been in communication with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families and the Longmeadow police."
McGinley distributed child sex abuse materials to a group called "Little boyz only" on an encrypted messenger app, Foley's office said.
An undercover agent pretending to be a user on the app contacted McGinley, who then told the agent that his sexual preference was for "boys age 2-12" and "especially 4-7," Foley's office said. He then told the agent that he had "students who were 11 to 14 years old" but "(hadn't) touched them sexually," and he sat "hot boys strategically so (he could) see under their desks, and close to (him). He also made graphic sexual statements about the boys."
FBI searches on Friday also yielded the recovery of two iPhones, an Apple Watch, a tablet and two laptops, U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley's office said. Inside a locked Pelican case in the basement were several items for children between 5 and 7 years old.
The items inside included children's clothes, a Santa costume, diapers, diaper cream, boys' underwear, bedding and apple sauce packets, Foley's office said. A forensic examination of McGinley's phone also found over 100 files that depict child sex abuse.
McGinley's devices continue to be reviewed by investigators, Foley's office added.
The charge of distribution of child sex abuse materials could yield a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison.
O'Shea said his letter would be the first in a series of communications from the district "on this distressing situation."
"I have asked local law enforcement, representatives of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI to join me and school officials at in-person and remotely accessible informational meetings. Additional details on these events will be forthcoming," O'Shea said.
School counselors, social workers and administrators will be available to support students and staff "who need to talk or process what they are experiencing."
"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. At this time, I am sharing all of the information available to me."
He continued: "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."
McGinley's LinkedIn profile shows multiple teaching and librarian positions over the past 24 years in the Amherst and Springfield school districts, where he worked with preschoolers, kindergarteners, elementary students and high schoolers.
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