Owner Of Padonia Park Club Arrested For Child Porn Charges
COCKEYSVILLE, Md. (WJZ)—The owner of a child care center who is also the president and CEO of a well-known pool and club has been arrested on child pornography charges.
Mike Schuh has the exclusive details.
Fred Rigger is the president and CEO of the Padonia Park Club. He's also listed as the owner of the child care center at the club.
The charging document tells of an investigation that began in January. County officers and the FBI downloaded child pornography via the Internet from a computer at a house in Cockeysville and from a computer at the Padonia Park Club--a club run by Fred Rigger and a house owned by Fred Rigger.
Police interviewed him after confiscating two laptops from his home office.
Rigger admitted to viewing and downloading child pornography over five years. He viewed and downloaded images of girls from as young as infants through teenagers.
Public records show that Rigger is also the owner of a child care facility located on the campus of the club.
Rigger is now charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.
Before hanging up, the person who answered the phone at the club Thursday night said call back tomorrow when they can talk about the incident, and the person they referred us to is Fred Rigger.
The club has a long, proud history, a great reputation, and thousands of satisfied parents and members. Now there's disbelief that the club's president and CEO was arrested.
"Wow, that's pretty ridiculous," said Patrick Redmond. "I can't believe that would even happen here. I thought this was a family-owned place, a family park."
"I have big concerns now," said Lawrence Lee, whose daughter is enrolled in camp.
Lee says he plans to call the club for answers.
On Thursday no one answered the door at Rigger's home.
Rigger posted bond and is out of jail.
The owners of the club generated controversy three years ago when they announced an agreement to sell the property to a mega-church. After community outrage, that agreement was terminated.
