Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A middle school librarian in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, was arrested on charges of distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to federal authorities. Scott McGinley, 55, of Holyoke, is accused of sending illicit material through an encrypted messaging application in July 2025.
McGinley works as the librarian for Williams Middle School and Glenbrook Middle School. According to the criminal complaint, he allegedly distributed CSAM to a group called “Little boyz only.” Authorities say that during conversations with undercover law enforcement posing as users on the app, McGinley disclosed a sexual preference for boys between ages 2 and 12, “especially 4-7.” He also reportedly stated he had “students” aged 11-14 but claimed not to have touched them sexually. In those exchanges, McGinley described classroom seating arrangements and made graphic statements about male students.
Federal agents searched McGinley’s person and residence on August 8. They reportedly seized electronic devices including two iPhones, an Apple Watch, a tablet and two laptops. A locked Pelican case found in his basement allegedly contained items such as children’s clothing sized for five-to-seven-year-olds, a Santa costume, diapers and diaper cream. Investigators also report finding boys’ underwear and bedding inside a toolbox within the case.
Charging documents state that more than 100 files depicting CSAM were discovered during forensic examination of McGinley’s phone. The review of other seized devices is ongoing.
McGinley faces one count of distribution of child pornography. If convicted, he could receive between five and twenty years in prison along with supervised release ranging from five years to life and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today,” according to officials involved in the investigation. “Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nashville Division and the Longmeadow and Holyoke Police Departments.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Merck is prosecuting the case.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal, state and local agencies (https://www.justice.gov/psc).
Authorities remind members of the public that these are allegations; McGinley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Anyone with information related to this case can contact authorities at 617-748-3274 or USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.
