Until February 2014, Gregory Aker had been a respected Assistant Scout Master of Clark Knights of Columbus Troop 310 and had also been a Cub Scouts Den leader and a district vice chairman and chairman. He had also served as a religion instructor at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church in Linden, New Jersey.
All of that changed when local law enforcement authorities responded to a domestic complaint at his residence in 2014. He was arrested on criminal charges of sexually abusing two minors. Soon, federal authorities searched his house and found 600 images and dozens of videos of child sexual pornography.
Last month, Aker pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to the sexual abuse of children and the possession of child pornography. These charges carry a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a requirement to register as a sex offender.
Aker still faces criminal charges concerning two counts each of sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a minor.
It is unclear how federal authorities became involved after the initial domestic complaint incident. However, it is certain that a dangerous sexual predator has been removed from the community thanks in large part to the good work of federal law enforcement authorities.