LONGMEADOW, MA- The arrest of a middle school librarian in this high-brow suburb in Western Massachusetts has sent shockwaves throughout the community, located on the Massachusetts-Connecticut line north of Springfield.
Even more shocking than the arrest is the reason for it–distribution of child sexual abuse material (CASM), WWLP-22 in Springfield reports.
Scott McGinley, 55, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, was arrested by the FBI following a search of his home. McGinley is the librarian for Williams Middle School and Glenbrook Middle School in Longmeadow, a town of approximately 15,700 with a median income of approximately $145,000.
In a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, along with the child sexual abuse materials, children’s underwear, bedding, a Santa costume, diapers, diaper cream, and other items were recovered from a locked case during a search of McGinley’s home.
McGinley was scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katherin A. Robertson on Wednesday afternoon, the release said.
According to the criminal complaint, McGinley distributed CASM to a group called “Little boyz only,” on an encrypted messaging app.
“When contacted by undercover law enforcement posing as a fellow user on the app, McGinley allegedly disclosed his sexual preference for “boys 2-12” and “especially 4-7,” the release said.
“It is further alleged that, in the conversations with undercover law enforcement, McGinley stated he had “students” who were “11-14 years old” but “ha[d]n’t touched them sexually.” He further said that he sat “hot boys strategically so [he could] see under their desks, and close to [him],” and made graphic sexual statements about the boys.”
According to the release, law enforcement executed a search of McGinley himself and his residence on Aug. 8, 2025, and seized numerous electronic devices, including two iPhones, an Apple Watch, a tablet, and two laptops.
Authorities also seized a locked Pelican case which “contained a medley of items for children approximately five to seven years old–including but not limited to assorted children’s clothes, a Santa costume, diapers, diaper cream, and apple sauce packets.
The Pelican case also allegedly contained a toolbox with boys’ underwear and bedding stuffed inside,” the release continued.
Charging documents stated that during a forensic examination of McGinley’s phone, over 100 files depicting CSAM were revealed. Further reviews of his other devices are ongoing, the documents read.
According to a confidential source who spoke to Law Enforcement Today, who works in one of the schools, McGinley was not very popular at that school, [they] told us. Their sex is not being disclosed to maintain confidentiality.
According to our source, McGinley “went right to work” when he began at the school, displaying “all kinds of homosexual displays and rainbow flag displays” and also formed a “gay club” at at least one of the middle schools.
A second source further told us that homeroom was replaced with two “exploratory classes” that were supposed to focus on community service projects chosen by teachers. However, according to our source, “a lot of gay stuff started to creep its way in, along with trans stuff.”
While a lot of teachers refused to teach it, they told us, that administration in Longmeadow Public Schools (or at least one or both middle schools) approved it. It was believed by many that McGinley “directly influenced” the curriculum and that the administration “protected him.”
“Colleagues believed he’d been grooming and recruiting for years but knew he was protected by the administration,” our source told us.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the distribution of child pornography carries a sentence of at least five years up to 20 years in prison, and at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
“Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.”
The release said 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.
Assistance was provided by the FBI Nashville Division and the Longmeadow and Holyoke Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Merck of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The Longmeadow Public Schools issued the following statement in response to McGinley’s arrest:
“Good Afternoon LPS Community,
At my first opportunity, I am writing to share information regarding the arrest of Glenbrook and Williams Middle School Librarian Scott McGinley that will understandably cause serious concern within our school community. I have attached a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.. Mr. McGinely worked at Glenbrook and Williams from August 24, 2016, until August 12, 2025.
The press release describes a highly troubling and disturbing criminal matter. Longmeadow Public Schools is cooperating fully and openly with all law enforcement agencies and has been in communication with the MA Department of Children and Families and the Longmeadow Police.
This is the first of a series of communications that LPS will issue on this distressing situation. I have asked local law enforcement, representatives of the US Attorney’s Office and the FBI to join me and school officials at in-person and remotely accessible informational meetings. Additional details on these events will be forthcoming. Additionally, knowing that there will be a range of emotions in response to this situation, LPS will be assembling school counselors, social workers, and administrators to support students and staff who need to talk or process what they are experiencing.
Our highest priority is and always will be student safety and well-being. LPS has policies and protocols in place to protect students through student education, staff training, and the use of background checks and mandatory reporting.
At this time, I am sharing all of the information available to me. I understand that you may have questions and concerns. We will continue to communicate as we are able and as information becomes available.
[...]
I am sorry for sharing this distressing situation with you. We will continue to share information with the LPS community and cooperate openly with law enforcement agencies. Thank you for your partnership and your unwavering commitment to the well-being of LPS children.
Our community has always shown strength in difficult times. I have no doubt that we will come together now with the same care and resilience to support one another.”
The correspondence was signed by Marty O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools for Longmeadow.
McGinley’s bio and related information have been scrubbed from the websites of both Glenbrook and Williams Middle Schools.
Comments