Apr. 12—MANCHESTER — Following the arrest last week of its former executive director on a federal charge of distributing child pornography, the Lutz Children's Museum is assuring the public that it "has taken any and all steps necessary to protect its patrons and staff." In a statement dated Friday but emailed to a Journal Inquirer reporter Saturday morning by its lawyer, Ryan O'Donnell, the .
Updated: 5:19 PM EDT April 8, 2021
HARTFORD, Conn. The former executive director of the Lutz s Children Museum in Manchester has been charged with the alleged distribution of child pornography.
According to federal investigators, 56-year-old Robert Eckert, of Simsbury, was indicted earlier this month. On Thursday, during a virtual hearing, he pled not guilty.
The U.S. government alleged that Eckert used several online platforms to distribute images of child sexual abuse and to talk with others about the distribution of child pornography.
The government added Eckert used his phone, at his home, and at the museum to access the digital platforms.
If Eckert is convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.
Feds: Former CT children s museum director distributed child sexual abuse images
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The former director of a Connecticut children’s museum has been charged on an indictment with distributing images of child sexual abuse, according to federal prosecutors.
A federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment on Tuesday, charging Robert Eckert, 56, of Simsbury, with distribution of child pornography. Eckert appeared before Judge Robert A. Richardson on Thursday and pleaded not guilty.
Eckert was held pending a follow-up bond hearing, scheduled for Friday.
During Thursday’s court appearance held virtually due to the ongoing pandemic prosecutors alleged that Eckert used online platforms to distribute images of child sexual abuse and to communicate with other individuals about distributing these images.
Former children’s museum director pleads not guilty to child pornography charge
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Robert Eckert, 56, of Simsbury, is being charged with distribution of child pornography.
The U.S. Dept. of Justice said Eckert faced a judge this week, entering a not guilty plea.
Eckert is accused of using multiple online platforms to “distribute images of child sexual abuse and to communicate with others about the distribution of child pornography,” authorities said.
He’s also accused of accessing these online platforms on his phone, at his house, and at the Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester.
At the time, he was employed as the museum’s executive director.
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