Worcester Man Charged with Attempting to Purchase Filipino Child Porn

Wednesday, July 01, 2015
GoLocalWorcester News Team

A Southbridge middle school teacher was charged on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Worcester for attempting to purchase live video sex shows involving Filipino children.

Scott Peeler, 53, of Worcester was charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity and receipt of child pornography.

According to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's office, court documents reveal that over 14 months starting in April 2013, Peeler attempted to communicate with people in the Philippines engaged in child sex trafficking and the sale of live streaming sex shows involving children. 

Peeler used instant messaging and internet-based money transfer services on at least four occasions to arrange the purchase of live video sex shows involving children who ranged from four to fourteen years of age.

At the time of his arrest, Peeler admitted that he owned the email and instant messaging accounts in question, but claimed that he had never purchased any child pornography. The execution of a search warrant revealed that there was child pornography on Peeler's computer.

Peeler faces charges of coercing and enticing a minor with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to a lifetime in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.  The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The leaders of this child sex trafficking organization were identified as a result of tips provided to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  Filipino authorities, working in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI, have identified and arrested the members of the organization, and rescued the children being exploited.  The operators of the child sex trafficking organization will face prosecution in the Philippines.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Michael Shea, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Worcester Police Chief Gary J. Gemme, made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Ortiz’s Worcester Branch Office.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.