Edinburg, TEXAS

Dec 7, 2006 - A teacher and a coach and boy scout leader, Genaro Vela, 58, was sentenced to 14 years for possession of child pornography. He faces further charges of molestation of former boy scouts. Federal agents say he had a paid subscription to a child porn website.

UPDATE: (Dec 18, 2006) His trial on charges of indecency with a child, sexual assault of a child, and attempted aggravated sexual assault of a child has been postponed until January 17th.

Update Mar 16, 2007 - Vela pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting one of his former scouts and inappropriately touching several others.

Under the plea deal, Vela will be released from prison after serving his 14-year child pornography sentence.

The pornography case stems from a search of Vela's home this summer by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Mission police. Authorities found a hidden staircase that led to a room where they recovered disks containing thousands of images of child pornography.

[TT - the logical explanation for the agreement of no additional prison time is that the child pornography charges are Federal and there is no time off for good behavior. Vela will be imprisoned for 14 years. The boys who were molested will at least have the satisfaction of having the confession now.]

Mar 19 - WBGT4 following up on the guilty plea and sentencing and community reaction.