Thursday, 4:30 PM
Ex-Little League coach pleads guilty in child pornography case
By Globe Staff
A Sudbury man was sentenced to six months on probation today after pleading guilty in connection with allegedly sending child pornography to an undercover police officer whom he believed was a 14-year-old boy.
Robert Shoemaker, 51, a former Little League coach, originally faced the more serious charge of distribution of child pornography, but pleaded guilty to one count of possession in a plea bargain, the Middlesex District Attorney's office said.
District Court Judge Paul Healy Jr. imposed a host of conditions on the probation, including not going near anyplace with children, not entering any Internet chat rooms, and completing any therapy that is ordered.
Authorities say that Shoemaker began communicating in September with the undercover detective in Keene, N.H., who had set up an online profile as a 14-year-old boy. After Shoemaker allegedly sent a photo of a nude boy, the detective was able to trace the email address, authorities say.
