St. Joseph firefighter charged with child porn
Posted: Feb 22, 2012 10:49 PM EDT | Updated: Nov 5, 2014 6:29 PM EDT
SAINT JOSEPH, Mich. – A former firefighter with the Saint Joseph City Fire Department was charged Wednesday for having child pornography on his phone and computer.
47-year-old Scott Moore, a former captain with the department is facing 20 years in prison if convicted. Moore was charged with two counts of accosting a minor for immoral purposes and two additional charges for using a computer to commit a crime. All charges are felonies.
According to a news release from Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter, Moore received naked pictures from a 15-year-old girl on his cell phone in 2011. He later got the teen to expose her body in online video chats.
“Total blindside,” said Al Todd, Saint Joseph City’s Fire Chief. “Everyone here is totally shocked.”
Todd was one of the numerous officials that wouldn’t release any details to ABC 57 News about the investigation in the fall of 2011.
In November of 2011, ABC 57 News learned Moore was placed on administrative leave in late October and soon after retired during the ongoing investigation.
“His contention is that she initiated,” said Todd. “But your moral compass should say no, ‘We’re not going to do this.’”
Todd said his staff is held to a high standard at the fire department and the alleged actions are inexcusable. Todd said he is still waiting for a verdict before he makes assumptions about his former employee and 25-year friend. “You’re still innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “And that’s the way we’re looking at it.”
According to Cotter, Moore is expected to turn himself in later this week.