Out on bail
Child porn accused heads back
A curator at the Canada Agriculture Museum in Ottawa accused of being a “big fish” in the distribution of child porn was ordered released on bail in court in Ottawa on Monday on strict conditions that keep him away from kids and off the web.
Franz Klingender, 58, was ordered released on $20,000 bond and ordered to live with his wife Deborah Scott at a their Walnut St. house in Peterborough and abide by a curfew — unless he's with her.
He has to avoid parks, pools and other places kids go and can't have unsupervised contact with anyone under 18. He can't possess any data storage devices or access the Internet.
His case returns to court in Ottawa on Aug. 28.
“I understand,” Klingender told Justice of the Peace Serge Legault in a soft voice.
He's facing 16 charges including possessing and distributing child pornography during a period from 2010 through 2013.
Klingender was with his wife and about to board a flight from Toronto to England to attend a conference Thursday when he was arrested.
Police said they found child pornography on computers at his east-end Ottawa apartment and workplace.
Police sources said Klingender is suspected to be a “big fish” and a “prolific” distributor of child pornography. He has not been charged with making the material.
He made a brief court appearance via video Friday afternoon then spent the weekend in custody before appearing Monday in court where the Crown consented to his release.
Scott is a teacher with Fleming College’s museums management program.