Former Shriner charged with possession of child porn

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The former head of the Melha Shriners in Springfield was charged in federal court Thursday with sexual exploitation of a child.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 61 year old Gardner Whitney of Westfield was indicted on seven counts of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.

The indictment alleges that between June 2010 and December 2011, Whitney used a minor to produce child pornography and that he possessed child pornography.

Whitney has been in jail since his arrest in January.