Western Mass. librarian possessed child sex abuse material, children's underwear in case, feds say
A Holyoke man working as a librarian for Longmeadow Public Schools (LPS) was arrested in connection with the possession of child sex abuse material, as well as keeping items in a locked case that included children's underwear, diapers and diaper cream, among other things, United States Attorney Leah Foley's office said Wednesday.
Scott McGinley, 55, was charged with one count of distribution of child pornography. He is expected to appear in court later Wednesday afternoon, Foley's office said in a statement.
Longmeadow Public Schools Superintendent Marty O'Shea informed families within the district that the librarian, who worked at Glenbrook and Williams Middle School, of the arrest.
"Mr. McGinley worked at Glenbrook and Williams from Aug. 24, 2016, until Aug. 12, 2025," McGinley said in a letter obtained by MassLive. "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 material to a group on an encrypted messenger app called "Little boyz only," 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 11-14 years old" but "ha[d]n't touched them sexually," and he sat "hot boys strategically so [he could] see under their desks, and close to [him]," and made graphic sexual statements about the boys.
A search of McGinley's person and home on Aug. 8 yielded the recovery of several electronic devices, including two iPhones, an Apple Watch, a tablet and two laptops, Foley's office said. Inside a locked Pelican case was found in the basement and contained several items for children between 5 and 7 years old.
Items found 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 material.
McGinley's devices continued to be reviewed by investigators, Foley's office added.
The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a sentence of 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 fine of up to $250,000.
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."
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."
More information will be shared with LPS families, as the district continues to cooperate with law enforcement, the superintendent wrote.
"Our community has always shown strength in difficult times," he said. "I have no doubt that we will come together now with the same care and resilience to support one another."
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