Gerrett Conover, a Woolwich Township man charged with one count of child pornography, was confirmed by a Philadelphia-based chapter of the Boy Scouts to have been a Scout Master for at least three years.

Conover, 47, was arrested Sunday while entering the United States from Canada where he was found to be in possession of a computer allegedly containing more than 50 images of child pornography and sexually explicit internet chats with a boy, according to U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

In the chats, police allege Conover acknowledged having a long-term relationship with a boy while the child was between 10 and 17 years old, and that as a scout leader he obtained access to the boy after Boy Scout meetings and during trips.

Other materials on computers established Conover’s involvement with the Boy Scouts between 1990 and 2000.

Cradle of Liberty Council, the BSA's Philadelphia chapter, confirmed that Conover served as a Scout Master, the highest-ranking leader in the troop, Cradle of Liberty's electronic records track Conover's leadership role in Radnor Troop #284 from 1999 to 2001, according to Tom Harrington, the council's CEO.

Harrington added that any other non-electronic records could indicate Conover’s involvement before 1999. The documents were not available Friday.

“As far as I can tell, he left under good terms. He moved away from the area and stopped coming to meetings,” Harrington said.

No complaints against Conover have ever been filed with the council or the national Boy Scouts of America organization, Harrington added.

“I called the current scout master and there were never any issues they were aware of,” Harrington said. “This is a problem that has impacted lots of organizations through our society. The Boy Scouts have implemented a series of different steps to protect kids, protect boys, from possible pedophiles and inappropriate behavior.”

According to the Boy Scouts of America website, potential leaders must undergo 'youth protection training,' which includes a background check. But, the site explains that no current screening technique exists to "identify every potential child molester."

The website explains that the organization does try to “reduce the risk of accepting a child molester by learning all we can about an applicant for a leadership position.”

“We take this very seriously. This is a serious problem in our society and we are very diligent to make sure kids are not put in positions where they can be taken advantage of,” Harrington said. “All of our adults are required to go through youth protective training and a criminal background check.”

Conover was arrested after federal agents in Boston alleged various individuals were found corresponding on the internet about engaging in sexually explicit conduct with children.

Evidence from the Boston investigation showed that Conover engaged in sexually explicit internet chats with a Boston target in 2010, and the two men traded child pornography with each other through the internet, according to police.

Conover — who was charged with one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography — appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider in Camden Friday morning.

If convicted of receipt and distribution of child pornography, Conover faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

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