WPTV
March 25, 2010
http://www.wptv.com/content/news/indianriver/verobeach/story/Gerry-Lamothe-child-pornography-pastoral-counselor/VGoAfMPyLkuYQj8PcxB9QQ.cspx
[with video]
 |
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FL -- It's a Spartan existence for Gerry Lamothe.
A friend has given him a small space in an unmarked office under renovation. But it's a start for this 61 year-old father of eleven.
"It was a pretty big hit going from a child advocate, to being accused of child pornography," said Lamothe.
On Valentine's Day 2009, Lamothe was called to his office by police in the middle of the night after pornographic images were found on his computer monitor.
That monitor was pointed out a window toward the parking lot. Police executed a search warrant but Lamothe wasn’t that worried.
"The whole time I'm thinking great they'll find someone who broke in. As it turns out, almost three months later I'm the one that gets arrested," said Lamothe.
Lamothe faced 33 charges of child pornography. He lost some teaching jobs, and the family went into a financial tailspin.
"We have no more savings. Our credit is shot, we have no health insurance anymore."
But as Vero Beach police investigated a recent burglary, they got information from someone who claimed Lamothe was set up. Lamothe's attorney broke the news to his client this week.
"Emancipation, joy, finally. I knew I was innocent but you never know how a trial is going to go."
Lamothe was scheduled to go to trial in May. He believes the person who framed him used to work in the office next door to his, but he still doesn't know why he was framed.
Lamothe says the great thing now is that he can go out into the community again and look people in the eye.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.