A Queens Little League coach accused of stashing creepy kiddie-porn images has been charged with molesting three more of his players - bringing the total to six.
David Hartshorn, 52, was arraigned Tuesday on felony charges of predatory sexual assault on a child and faces life in prison if convicted.
The former Rochdale Village Little League coach of the year has been held without bail since February, when cops accused him of using his post to prey on 13- and 14-year-old boys.
"He used his position as a coach to select his victims," said Assistant District Attorney Debra Bresnahan.
When he was arrested, prosecutors said more charges were likely after reviewing video evidence seized from Hartshorn's Springfield Gardens home.
The allegations include claims that Hartshorn showed a kiddie-porn video to one 13-year-old victim and vowed, "I'm going to do that to you."
In August 2010, Hartshorn allegedly engaged six boys in a twisted game of poker in which the loser was forced to perform a sex act on him.
One of the boys told his mother, prompting the investigation.
Hartshorn was laid off by Merrill Lynch several years ago, said his lawyer Kenneth Keane, who cited his client's community-based work in asking for bail.
"He's been active in community affairs," Keane said before the judge shot him down.
Hartshorn previously worked as a campaign manager in former Manhattan Councilman Alan Gerson's failed 2009 reelection bid.
He enlisted young kids to hand out flyers while working for Queens lawyer Joe Fox's bid to unseat state Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi.
In 1989, Hartshorn pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child in a case that prosecutors say mirrored the current allegations.
In that case, Hartshorn was initially charged with sodomy and other sex-related crimes.
No comments:
Post a Comment