Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Document trail: Scott A. Herrick
The director of the Gerber Boy Scout camp in Twin Lakes, Mich., was caught with more than 100,000 child images of child pornography plus some sex devices. Before his arrest in 2010, Scott Allan Herrick provided alcohol to Scouts, showed them pornographic videos, hosted them for overnight stays, and “assaulted and bullied boys by holding a knife to their throat(s) as a demonstration of ‘who’s boss,’ ” Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Mekaru reported in a sentencing memo.
Herrick, who also served as a swim instructor at the Muskegon (Mich.) Family YMCA, was able to insinuate “himself into a position of trust and authority within two internationally renowned organizations that are dedicated to the welfare and advancement of our children,” Mekaru wrote.
In court proceedings, Herrick denied that he’d ever abused children -- or sought his posts in youth groups to gain access to them. Through his attorney, Herrick declined to comment.
Herrick was convicted of three counts of attempting to produce child pornography and got a 95-year sentence. He’s currently in a federal prison near Tucson, Ariz
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Full Series
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Part 1 - Inside the Files
Our exclusive look into the Boy Scouts' confidential files – 30,000 documents, 10 journalists, 6 months of research. Our investigation reveals scouts’ pleas for help being ignored while some scout leaders were promised confidentiality.
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Part 2 - Systemic Failures
The Scripps National Investigative Team tracks systemic problems within the Boy Scouts of America, including poor background checks, and suspected molestors moving from troop to troop. More of our exclusive interview with the leader of BSA.
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Part 3 - Scouts Today
After revelations of abuse within the Boy Scouts of America, how has the organization and its policies changed, and are changes working? You’ll hear different sides. Plus, a one-time abused scout has to decide whether scouting is right for his sons.
Extended Interviews
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Video interview: Patrick Boyle
Boyle wrote “Scout’s Honor,” a 1994 book examining child sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts of America.
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Video interview: Tom Stewart
Former scout Tom Stewart describes years of abuse he suffered as a child, and how he views scouting today as a father.
Related Stories
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Expert: Exposing abuses will help kids
Patrick Boyle was the first to publish reports of the Boy Scouts of America's confidential "ineligible volunteers" files, in 1994. Boyle says the attention these files are now getting will do good for kids.
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Boy Scouts' president official statement
An official response to our investigation from Boy Scouts of America national president Wayne Perry.
Document Trail
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Document trail: William A. Hoefling
Look at the confidential documents in Hoefling's file. Hoefling was a troop leader near Detroit.
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Document trail: Brian K. Liska
Examine for yourself: the documents in his confidential files. To this day, Liska said he doesn’t know if national Scouting officials approved his application because they were unaware of his past conviction -- or if they knew about it but decided he was fit nonetheless.
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Document trail: Scott A. Herrick
Click to view confidential documents in his file. Herrick is currently serving a 95-year sentence.
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