He was also charged with possession of child pornography.
Buffalo, NY (KM) A former Montgomery County public school teacher has been arrested in Buffalo, New York for enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. The US Attorney’s Office for Western Maryland says Richard Scherer, 70, was taken into custody on June 27th
Federal authorities say the FBI received information from a citizens group called Predator Poacher about the defendant. The organization which works to expose child sexual predators had made contact with Scherer on Instagram. The defendant believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl when it was actually a member of Predator Poacher. The contacts took place between April and June, 2021. During that time, Scherer told the “girl” he had been a sex education teacher in the past, and agreed to meet with the child on June 27th at a retail establishment in Buffalo.
On the day of the meeting, when Scherer arrived at his destination, he texted “I’m here.” Federal officials say Scherer was met by members of Predator Poacher who questioned him for nearly an hour. During that time, Scherere admitted he was a pedophile. Buffalo Police were called.
A search of the defendant’s cell phone found two images of child pornography, federal officials say..
If convicted, the US Attorney’s Office for Western Maryland says Scherer could be sentenced to a mandatory minimum of ten years to a maximum of life in prison, and be fined $250,000.
Scherer, who lives in Depew, New York, taught in Montgomery County for 25 years, but resigned after the parent of a fourth grade student complained about inappropriate behavior on the part of the defendant. Federal officials say they obtained a report from Montgomery County Public Schools which said a parent of a fourth grade student complained that Scherer would have lunch with her daughter, and that “he would pull her to him and hug her, that he had patted her rear and hips, and pressure her to eat lunch with him.” The parent said her daughter and her daughter’s friend were pressured by Scherer to have lunch with him.
In September, 2011, the Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools petitioned the State of Maryland’s Superintendent of Schools to revoke Scherer’s teaching certificate as he had resigned. The request was granted.
Scherer taught English for Speakers of Other Languages.
By Kevin McManus