MILFORD – School District Superintendent Jessica Huizenga confirmed Wednesday that Trevor Palladino, a Milford man who pleaded guilty to a federal child pornography charge, was employed by the school district.

Huizenga declined to answer specific questions about Palladino’s employment, referring to it as a “personnel matter.” Palladino pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court in Concord on Wednesday to one count of possession of child pornography.

Palladino was a girls softball coach for the district at the time of the 2015 investigation into his relationship with a former player who was 14 at the time of the incidents detailed in court records. The criminal case against Palladino opened July 30.

He faces up to 10 years in prison, while his sentencing is set for Nov. 28 in the federal court. Palladino is currently free on bail conditions, including the condition that he is not to own or use a computer, or any other internet-connected device.

The plea agreement states Palladino asked the victim to send him sexually explicit photos of herself via social media. The photos of the girl qualify as child pornography, according to the agreement. After the girl sent Palladino the photos, he, in turn, sent her sexually explicit photos of himself, according to the plea agreement.

In October 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Palladino’s home and car, seizing his iPhone.

A forensic examination of the phone turned up the sexually explicit photos, according to the agreement.

“Protecting the innocence of children is one of the most important jobs of the law enforcement community,” U.S. Attorney Scott Murray added via statement. “Because of the harm that these crimes cause to their youthful victims, we will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who are engaged in child pornography offenses.”

Damien Fisher can be reached at 594-1245 or dfisher@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DF.