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Teacher Charged with Enticement of Minor

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Richard W. Scherer, a 70-year-old retired school teacher from Depew, has been arrested and charged with enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango stated that the investigation began after the FBI received information from a citizens group known as Predator Poacher, which maintains a website and YouTube channel. The group had been monitoring Scherer’s online activity, and on June 28, 2021, they made contact with him on his Instagram account, richard_scherer.

According to the complaint, Scherer believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl, and the conversations became graphic and sexual in nature. The two planned to meet at a retail store on Amherst Street in Buffalo, but when Scherer arrived, he was confronted by members of Predator Poacher.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Scherer had also communicated with a purported eight-year-old girl through Predator Poacher, and the conversations became graphic and sexual in nature as well.

Scherer’s past as a teacher came under scrutiny during the investigation. A report obtained from the Montgomery County Public Schools stated that in 2011, a parent had reported concerns about possible inappropriate behavior by Scherer while interacting with students. The report stated that the student had related that Scherer would hug her, pat her rear end and hips, and pressure her to eat lunch with him. Scherer resigned from his position as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher and his teaching certificate was subsequently revoked.

A search of Scherer’s cell phone recovered two images of child pornography. Members of the public who have information related to this case are asked to call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 716-843-1680.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Stephen Belongia, Special Agent-in-Charge.