APWell, Minnesota State-Mankato coach Todd Hoffner has at least one supporter. The fifth-year coach, facing child pornography charges, is backed by his wife, Melodee, who says the nude images found on her husband’s cell phone are of his children.
“The charges against my husband are ridiculous and baseless,” Melodee Hoffner said in a statement. “My family does what every family does – we take videos and pictures of our kids in all their craziness. My husband would not ever abuse our children or any other children.
“I assure you our children have not been exploited or abused – they are healthy physically, mentally and emotionally; and have normal relationships with friends, family and teachers.”
Hoffner’s wife would not answer any questions and the Blue Earth County assistant prosecutor has not commented on the situation.
Hoffner was arrested and taken into custody last week after a complaint was filed against Hoffner claiming the coach brought his university-issued cellphone to school officials earlier in the month because it wasn’t working. A technician working on the phone said suspicious videos were stored on the phone and authorities were called.
Hoffner’s been formally charged with two felonies and is currently on administrative leave.
(Hat tip: AP)
MSU!!!! Sheesh, you worried Sparty
Wow. If this does in fact prove to be baseless, this guy’s going to file a lawsuit the likes of which college sports has never seen before. The damage to his reputation already is enormous. Unfortunately, it’s one of those “guilty until proven innocent” scenarios. I hope for him and his family’s sake, his wife is being truthful. Still a little creepy though having videos and pictures of nude kids on your cell phone. I have two (now grown) daughters. Even when they were growing up, the worst picture I had was of my one daughter sitting on her little potty reading a book with her giving me a look that says, “really, dad, you’re taking my picture, really?”.
Unless there is much more to this story, these charges are not going to stick. If these cow town cops really filed these charges based on the stuff on his phone, they should all be fired.
Looks like the phone technician must have had the “Sandusky” trial buried in his brain. What a mess for everyone involved. If wrongfully accused somebody is going to get PAID ! $$$
Not sure how old his kids are but most parents I would venture to say have innocent pictures of there children maybe on the potty for the first time or taking a bath. Now if it’s something total different then shame on him and he will get his just deserves but if it is totally innocent I hope sues the pants off of MSU and the police department that arrested him. But you got to think they have serious evidence to arrest him.
The wife sounds pretty believable.
It pays to be sensitive to this issue. Cops in Florida have been randomly asking to inspect cellphones during traffic stops, and guess what…..yep, inappropriate whatever. They’re putting everybody in jail, just a matter of time.
Pretty believable story….just last week I took a pic of my 3 y/o after she fell asleep on her potty. Nothing was visable but I can totally see how something like this could happen.
You have to be sensitive considering the allegations but if it’s not true I sure hope he’s able to get some sort of justice and clear his name publicly.
If true than throw the book at him and let him rot.
Yeah, while I definitely tend to NOT give perverts the benefit of the doubt, as a father of a young child, the wife’s story makes perfect sense. But, would the cops really charge him without making sure the pictures weren’t of his children first? I would think not, but if they did, holy hell are heads going to roll. And rightfully so.
Sounds like it doesnt make any sense. This guy is a college football coach, he cant be that stupid. Why would he have something like child porn on his phone and then hand it over to university officials? Again makes no sense. Sounds like a lawsuit is coming
So nude pictures of YOUR OWN children are acceptable?
Attack the cops and prosecutors you fucking morons.
Hey dauds17 ,Get real just because he is a football coach he cant be that stupid! Get your head out of the sand.There are football coaches that couldnt pour water out of a boot with instructions on the bottom.I would hope this guy is not guilty.If the pictures are of his kids and they are nothing more the just pictures MSUand the local PD are in deep dodo. If they are in fact porn type pictures his kids or not then I hope he never gets out of prison.
Given the speed with which this case has moved, there are only two possibilities: A) It’s seriously nasty porn that you see once and think “lock him up forever” or B) It’s a total rush job and one of the great miscarriages of justice in our time.
It often takes MONTHS after a report for an arrest to be made and charges to be filed. ALL this happened this month: he turns in his phone, videos are found, complaint filed, arrest, charging him. Not much time in there for much of an investigation. Maybe the videos are so bad they didn’t need any time. Or maybe they got in such a hurry they goofed big time.
showerswithsandusky says:
Aug 28, 2012 1:55 PM
So nude pictures of YOUR OWN children are acceptable?
—————————
Depends on the situation. I find Toddlers and Tiaras much more pornographic than a photo of me giving my sons a bath (together no less) when they were toddlers which would be nude photos of my sons.
@mauldawg,
I was once accused of viewing porn at work. When they presented the evidence, I was able to quickly show them that they were all wet. However, they did tell me before walking away that there were a couple of managers at our company who had been recently fired for viewing porn at work so they were on high alert. So you are right that a football coach could be that stupid.
Take a pill showerswithsandusky, you’re sounding like your over-compensating. I’m pretty sure a sports blog will not help you to be found not guilty at your impending trial.
Let the witch hunts begin!
If he floats he’s a witch, if he drowns he’s innocent.
Yes, the cops and the prosecutors can be that stupid. We had a customer who took pictures of their son getting a bath and the bare butt naked on the bear skin rug photo that were arrested after the photo shop processing the pictures alereted the police. Took them years and many dollars to fight that it was not child pornography. When it finally went to trial they were found not guilty. Didn’t help the wife much as a teacher she lost her job.
MSU in connection with college football means Michigan State University. Stop scaring the bejesus out of us with these headlines.
Big 10 is shaking up to be a bunch of pervs if it is true!!!
Ooooops I read it wrong
Typical over-reaction of bureaucrats. I saw a guy get “escorted” by airport police to a holding area. His crime? He was on his cell phone discussing a customer sale. He was telling the person on the other end that he had the Bill Of Materials with him. Unfortunately he used the vernacular of Sales people and said, “Yes, I have the BOM with me.”
Funny, but sad.
Whose the dummies? That guy is a Minnesota coach, Not a Michigan State coach.Take that from Sparty!!
I’m guessing real pedophiles are more cautious.