Man with 'How to practice child love' book charged

AUBURN -- An Auburn man accused of possessing child pornography as well as a 170-page "How To" document instructing pedophiles on "best practices" for having sex with children was charged Tuesday with distributing child pornography.

According to court documents, Hank Hirst of Auburn possessed more than 3,000 pictures and 400 videos of graphic depictions of toddlers and children engaged in sexual acts -- often times violent. He is charged with distributing child pornography and possessing child pornography in U.S. District Court.

He is in jail and slated to be arraigned Thursday.

Authorities became aware of Hirst during a federal sting operation in 2012 where an FBI agent posed as a man interested in child porn. The agent sparked an online conversation with Hirst, who allegedly described graphic encounters with children as young as 8-months-old. Hirst allegedly said many of the children he claimed to abuse would be scared for life, and laughed at the idea that many would turn out to be "bedwetters" and "crossdressers."

Agents searched Hirst's home -- less than 100 yards from an elementary school -- and confiscated multiple computers and hard drives on June 7. Investigators allegedly found child's diapers hanging in Hirst's house and the document titled "How to practice child love," documents allege.

Hirst was arrested and charged in U.S. District Court Tuesday.