Mill Valley man pleads guilty in child porn probe
A Mill Valley man has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.
Edward White, 64, a former member of the Mill Valley Little League board of directors, was charged with a felony offense in late 2021. The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor as part of the plea deal that White accepted Wednesday.
The case began in November 2021, when a contractor hired by White’s landlord found suspicious materials at the residence, according to Marin County sheriff’s Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn.
According to a defense filing, the contractor alerted the landlord’s son, who entered the residence, turned on White’s computer and discovered the images that prompted the criminal charges.
Investigators obtained a search warrant and found incriminating evidence but did not arrest White because he was hospitalized at the time, according to Schermerhorn. The sheriff’s department has been unable to identify the youths depicted in the content, Schermerhorn said.
The Marin County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony charge of possessing obscene matter depicting a minor engaging in sexual conduct. White pleaded not guilty. His preliminary hearing was repeatedly delayed because of his ongoing health problems.
In the defense filing, Smith’s lawyer, Kevin Heaney, argued that the case was tainted because it started with the illegal computer search by the landlord’s son.
According to the plea agreement on Wednesday, White will have to register for life as a sex offender and spend at least two years on probation.
White, who is known by the name Ned, has been involved with the Little League for three decades, according to Michael Cann, the president of the league. He also served on the board, and as a consultant.
“We have been in regular communication with the sheriff’s office and the D.A.’s office about this investigation since 2021,” Cann said. “We have fully cooperated with investigators at all times.”
The league suspended White from all activities on Nov. 15, 2021, Cann said.
Cann said the league has asked authorities to review its background check procedures to ensure a safe environment for the players.
White’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5. Heaney did not respond to requests for comment. Attempts to reach White were not successful.