Richard Keller: Feds charge Boston Children’s Hospital doctor with having child porn

A doctor at Boston Children’s Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School will face a federal judge today and answer to accusations that he possessed hundreds of pornographic images of children.

Dr. Richard Keller, 56, of Andover, was charged today with receipt of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. He is scheduled to appear in court at 3 p.m.

Keller, an endocrinologist and pediatricts instructor at Harvard, allegedly had more than 500 photographs and between 60 and 100 DVDs at his home. The images depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, authorities said.

If convicted, Keller could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer.

Children’s Hospital released a statement this afternoon after the arrest:

“Providing safe and appropriate care in a safe and protective environment is the absolute paramount priority for Boston Children’s Hospital. When the hospital learned of the allegations against Dr. Richard Keller earlier today, he was immediately put on administrative leave pending results of the investigation by the US Attorney’s Office. We will cooperate fully with the US Attorney’s Office and all other involved regulatory and legal authorities. No complaints or concerns have been expressed by any patients or family members about the care Dr. Keller provided while he was at Children’s.”