Former Huntersville doctor pleads guilty to child porn charges

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — A former Huntersville doctor accused of child sex crimes pleaded guilty in court Thursday.

Huntersville police arrested David Shope, 41, in 2015 after an eight-month investigation by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Cyber Crimes Unit.

[PAST COVERAGE: Doctor connected with hospital charged with child sex crimes]

According to arrest warrants in 2015, Shope's computer contained child pornography.

Police said Shope was sharing pictures and videos with an undercover officer.

Shope admitted to disturbing actions Thursday detailed in court documents.

In those documents, investigators said that Shope shared videos showing "the sexual abuse of children," and that on his computer there were videos showing "sadomasochist conduct" of kids "under the age of 12."

His attorney said his client is very remorseful, and pointed out the actions have nothing to do with his job as a doctor.

The maximum penalty for the charge is 20 years in prison. As part of the plea agreement, attorneys recommended a little more than 10 years and that the doctor agree to register as a sex offender.

Shope's license expired in February 2016.

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