Boy Scouts Affiliate Accused Of Filming Boys Changing Indicted On Federal Charges
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CLEVELAND (AP) - A man accused of secretly recording boys changing clothes at a YMCA, his home bathroom and in teepees at an Ohio scout reservation has been indicted on federal charges including sexual exploitation of children.
The four counts against 39-year-old Thomas Close also include having child pornography.
An affidavit submitted by a Homeland Security investigator indicated that Close acknowledged filming boys between 2011 and 2018.
Close was arrested in November. He is scheduled for arraignment on Monday.
Cleveland.com reports that his public defender, Jeff Lazarus, declined to comment.
The Boy Scouts of America Lake Erie Council in northern Ohio has said it cooperated with investigators and banned Close from future participation in its work.
Close is from Shelby in Richland County, roughly 70 miles north of Columbus.
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