Minn. football coach cleared of kid porn

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MANKATO, Minn., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Video taken by the Minnesota State University, Mankato, head football coach that showed his children naked is not pornographic, a judge ruled Friday.

Blue Earth County District Judge Krista Jass dismissed two child pornography charges against Todd Hoffner, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Jass said the video Hoffner shot with his cellphone showed his son and daughter "dancing and acting playful after a bath."

The case attracted a lot of attention in the wake of the scandal at Penn State University, where former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was convicted of molesting boys. But investigators who searched Hoffner's computers at home and work found nothing beyond the cellphone video.

"I'm thankful to be waking up from this nightmare," Hoffner said. "The last 102 days have been long, painful and a nightmare. Our lives have been turned upside down."

Hoffner was suspended with pay in August after technicians repairing his computer at the university found the videos. The university said he will remain off the job until its own investigation is finished.

Prosecutor Mike Hanson said he does not agree with Jass' decision but accepts it.