Feds indict former Children's Beach House director
A retired executive director of Children’s Beach House in Lewes has been indicted on federal child pornography charges.
Harold Love Springer III, 73, of Wilmington, who served as executive director of Children's Beach House for more than three decades, was indicted by a grand jury Aug. 2 on charges of transportation, receipt and possession of child pornography in violation of federal law, U.S. Attorney Charles M. Oberly III said.
Springer turned himself in to the U.S. Marshal's Office in Wilmington Aug. 2, a U.S. Attorney's Office official confirmed.
A press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice says Springer was identified by agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations during an online investigation into a computer network devoted to trading images of child pornography.
Rich Garrett, current director of Children’s Beach House, wrote in an email, “The Children’s Beach House recently learned of the allegations against Mr. Springer, a former executive director of the Children’s Beach House, who retired some eight years ago."
Garrett said the Children's Beach House has no reason to believe any children from the beach house were involved in Springer's criminal activity. "The most important thing," Garrett said, "is that if there are victims in the community, the Beach House's role is to stand with them. We stand ready to assist all children and any victims."
Garrett also said no computers now in use at the beach house were in use while Springer was at the helm.
“While we have no reason to believe he engaged in any inappropriate behavior during his tenure here, CBH stands ready to cooperate with any law enforcement agency in the investigation of these allegations, and the board, staff and volunteers of the Children’s Beach House are committed to the betterment, protection and safety of all children," Garrett said.
According to the Department of Justice, during the investigation of the online network, an undercover agent observed about 2,000 files depicting child pornography that agents say Springer had made available to network members. The agent downloaded 92 of the files depicting child pornography. On July 13, 2011, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Springer’s Wilmington residence and seized computer equipment.
News a shock for former colleagues
Lewes resident Peggy Maull was a volunteer at the Children’s Beach House during the more than 30 years Springer worked there. She said she was shocked to hear about Springer’s arrest on charges he was involved with child pornography.
“I have nothing bad to say about the man at all,” Maull said.
“He was an outstanding man. I’ve never worked with anyone who was as efficient, organized, smart and kind. He’s a fantastic person,” Maull said. “I could talk about anything with Hal.”
She said as a volunteer, her time working with Springer had been “an exceptional and wonderful experience.”
Gail McDermott of Rehoboth Beach also worked with Springer as a volunteer at the beach house.
“He was wonderful to work with, a real friend. I find this all very hard to believe. It’s a real shock,” McDermott said. She said the charges against Springer are totally out of character for the man she worked with for 30 years.
“I worked closely with him at the beach house, and I would never have thought of anything like that,” she said.
Court date set Aug. 8
If convicted, Springer faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years' imprisonment and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Springer also faces a maximum fine of $250,000, and at least five years, up to a lifetime, of supervised release upon the completion of any prison sentence. Springer has been temporarily detained pending a court hearing scheduled at 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 8.
Members of the public with any information about this case are encouraged to contact Homeland Security Investigations at 302-428-0104.
Justice Department officials say there is no connection between Springer's case and a larger, international investigation made public Aug. 3.
"I've received a lot of calls about this, but it's just a coincidence," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark M. Lee. "We released our information when we felt it was appropriate."
Justice Department officials announced the arrest of 52 people in 14 countries who were part of an extensive and highly secretive online child pornography network. More about the network can be found at the Department of Justice website at http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/ag/speeches/2011/ag-speech-110803.html.
