Pocono News Section

Volunteer Firefighter Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges

Volunteer Firefighter Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges - Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 6:15PM EST

LUZERNE COUNTY- A volunteer firefighter from Luzerne County has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges.
Luke Shaffer was back in court Wednesday afternoon. Shaffer was a volunteer with the West Wyoming Fire Company Number One. He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography.

Shaffer hurried out of the Luzerne County Courthouse minutes after pleading guilty to two counts of child porn possession. Prosecutors say the 27-year-old broke into his friend's computer account and downloaded nude and semi-nude pictures of underage girls who he knew.

According to court papers, Shaffer knew the girls were only 15 at the time the pictures were taken and he downloaded between 20 and 30 pictures in all.

Shaffer was a volunteer firefighter at West Wyoming Fire Department Hose Company Number One and the pictures were taken at the fire house. He was suspended indefinitely after the allegations came out.

Since Shaffer's arrest in February he hasn't commented publicly about the charges. Wednesday he barely spoke in court, except for admitting his guilt.

As part of Shaffer's plea deal, charges of disseminating child porn were dropped Wednesday, but he still faces a lengthy prison sentence. Luke Shaffer faces up to 14 years in prison based on his guilty plea today.

He'll also have to register as a Megan’s Law offender. He's scheduled to be sentenced in July.