Employee of National Alliance on Mental Illness charged with distributing child porn

October 22, 2012

AUGUSTA, Maine - A man from Augusta who worked at the National Alliance on Mental Illness and ran a martial arts studio has been arrested, charged with distributing child pornography.

Wade Hoover was arrested at the Augusta offices of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wednesday morning.

According to a media release from State Police Spokesperson Steve McCausland, officers from the State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency were operating on a tip when they went to his office.

Police say they found Hoover was using a personal computer to distribute child porn images via NAMI's internet service.

NAMI has cooperated with the investigation. Police say the organization was unaware as to how Hoover was allegedly using their internet connection.

Investigators say they found dozens of images of child porn on Hoover's computer. They believe at least one of the children is from Maine.

Hoover also operates the Kosho Warrior's Martial Arts studio and United Martial Arts Academy in Lewiston. He is a former instructor at the United Martial Arts Academy in Augusta.

Investigators believe more charges are coming.

Hoover is being held at the Kennebec County Jail.

Source: Krister Rollins, "Augusta man arrested on child pornography charges," WCSH News Center 6 (Portland, Maine), October 3, 2012.