(Newser) – Arkansas Judge Joe Boeckmann was a sexual predator who cared a lot more about paddling young white men than he did about justice, according to investigators, whose evidence includes thousands of photos of nude defendants. Boeckmann, under investigation since last year amid accusations that he exchanged leniency for sexual favors, stepped down on Monday after the state's Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission informed him that it was in the process of recovering up to 4,500 images from his computers showing "young men, many naked who are in various poses inside the judge's home and outside in his yard," NBC News reports. "There are numerous photos of naked young men bending over after an apparent paddling," says the letter, which warns Boeckmann not to dispose of the paddle.

Investigators say Boeckmann preyed upon men who fearing losing their jobs or custody of their children, telling them they could perform "community service." Women and minority suspects, meanwhile, were yelled at and received harsher sentences in his courtroom, according to allegations released last year. Commission chief David Sachar says 12 victims have been named but there could be up to 100 from the last 30 years, ArkansasOnline reports. Boeckmann, a part-time judge in Cross County, is "a criminal predator who used his judicial power to feed his corrupt desires," Sachar tells the AP. "Every minute he served as a judge was an insult to the Arkansas Judiciary." In his resignation letter, Boeckmann, who is still being investigated by state and federal authorities, promised to never seek public office again. (Read more Arkansas stories.)

