Former Padonia Park Club Owner Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charge

The former owner of Padonia Park Club in Cockeysville pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography at a plea hearing on Wednesday.

Ira Charles F. Rigger, 56, received a sentence of 10 years at the Baltimore County Detention Center, with all but 18 months suspended, and five years probation after his release. The conditions of Rigger’s sentence includes the following:

1. Rigger must give up his computer, cell phone and other related equipment to police.
2. He must not have contact with minors, except his 8-month-old grandson and other future grandchildren in the presence of another adult.
3. Another condition is that Rigger must not posses or use any computer or access Internet except for work purposes.
4. The court also ordered that he not access any Internet site that displays or distributes child pornography.
5. Rigger must cooperate with the parole office in monitoring the use of computers, cell phones and other related equipment.
6. He may not use any Internet access or communication device to contact minors for sexual arousal or sexual contact.
7. Rigger has to register as a sex offender.
8. Another condition is that he must complete a treatment program as recommended by his probation agent during the period of probation.

Assistant state’s attorney Keith Pion said he was satisfied with the terms of the plea agreement.

“This is a matter we take seriously,” Pion said.

During the hearing, defense attorney David Irwin presented Judge Susan Souder with a report from forensic psychiatrist Neil Bloomberg, who had examined Rigger. Irwin said the report found that Rigger is not a pedophile, but someone interested in viewing child pornography. Irwin said Bloomberg’s analysis also stated that Rigger is not a threat to children.

Rigger’s wife Pam, his father, his daughter and his son-in-law were present at the hearing.The family was visibly upset and weeping. Prior to the start of proceedings, Rigger, who was fighting back tears, gave them a thumbs-up and said, “It’ll be ok.”

“The family is going through a lot right now but they are standing behind him,” Irwin said. “It was a horrible situation that he was caught up in.”

Both the FBI and Baltimore County police investigated Rigger, but the FBI will not be pursuing a separate case against him, Pion said. During this investigation, police and FBI officials found child pornography on IP addresses belonging to Rigger’s personal computer, and a computer at the Padonia Park Club.

Rigger, of the unit block of Thurkhill Court in Cockeysville, had worked at the Padonia Park Club, a swim and child care center, for more than 40 years. He was also the CEO and president of the club. Kathy Angstadt, vice president of the club, and Cheryl Bamberger, the controller, are currently leading the club.

At the end of hearing, an emotionally distraught Rigger addressed the court.

“I need to be punished for what I did,” he said. “I feel worse for what I did to my family. I am very apologetic and hope to live up to their expectations in the future.”