Ex-Church Official Guilty in Porn Case
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN
Associated Press Writer
January 22, 2007, 12:18 PM EST
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. --
The former music director of a church where former President Bush once worshipped pleaded guilty on Monday to possessing child pornography.
Robert F. Tate, 64, of Greenwich, admitted possessing between 150 and 300 pornographic images of children, some engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Prosecutors said some children in the images were younger than 12 years old.
"Yes, your honor. I regret to say I did it," Tate told a federal judge.
Court records accuse Tate of possessing digital images of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and refer to "apparent foreign travel for purpose of photographing children."
Tate was the longtime music director of Christ Church in Greenwich, where former President George H.W. Bush attended while growing up. Funeral services for his parents, Prescott Bush Sr. and Dorothy Walker Bush, were held there.
Tate faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced April 12.
At his last hearing in December, President Bush's aunt and other members of the church attended to support Tate.
Tate oversaw the church's renowned choir programs, including those involving children. Tate traveled with the choir for performances around the country and in Europe.
Church officials have said they are unaware of any allegations that Tate had acted inappropriately with children. The church has a strict policy that prohibits adults from being alone with children.