Mashpee pediatrician charged with distributing child porn

MASHPEE, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A man who spent his career helping children is now facing federal charges of sexually exploiting them.

Dr. Daniel O'Hern, 64, a semi-retired pediatrician, was arrested at his home in Mashpee Tuesday. He was charged in federal court with distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography, as well as possession of child pornography.

According to his Facebook page, he wrote a book called "Common Sense Pediatrics for Parents," and according his YouTube page, he practiced pediatrics around Middletown, N.Y., for three decades.

Prosecutors allege that O'Hern used "peer-to-peer" file sharing networks to share a number of sexually explicit videos featuring minors. The video and images allegedly featured pre-pubescent girls performing sex acts with adult men.

Investigators seized O'Hern's computers, hard drives, and other media storage units, which allegedly contained images of children being sexually exploited.

If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.

He will remain in custody until a detention hearing on Friday.

Cox Media Group