Andrew Picard, a former USA Swimmer, has been added to the list of Individuals Suspended or Ineligible – Permanently, the organization announced on Monday.
Picard, who registered with USA Swimming with both the names Andrew Laurence and Andrew Boeckman (as recently as December on the latter name) and whose prior legal name was Andrew Laurence Boeckman, last swam at a meet in December of 2015.
Picard made global headlines earlier this year when he received only a suspended prison sentence despite being caught by an undercover police officer sharing pictures of young children in an online chat room. Picard, 17 at the time but now 18, was found with 1,185 indecent images and videos on his computer and external hard drives. The material was described as “disturbing” and by the case’s judge as “so appalling, frankly I can’t bring myself to talk about it.” According to police, the videos included abuse of babies and toddlers.
Picard pled guilty to one count of possessing indecent pictures of children, one count of making indecent pictures of children, and 8 counts of distributing indecent photos of recordings of a child. He was sentenced to 10-months in prison, suspended for 18 months. What that means is that if Picard doesn’t break the law and fulfills the conditions of his probation over the next 18 months, the sentence will be dismissed.
The reason why his story became so public is that he received a relatively lenient sentence despite a relatively serious crime, and observers made accusations that his status at Eton College in the UK, where the pictures were sent from and where he lived as a boarding school. The school, for students aged 13 to 18, is one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country, including having educated 19 prime ministers since its founding in 1440.
Picard’s father Philip Boeckman is a well-known attorney who has practiced both in the United States and the United Kingdom, bringing about accusations that Picard’s sentence was lenient as a result of his family history and connections.
Picard only has a few records of racing in the United States, but has a much broader history of racing for the Chelsea & Westminster Swim Club, though his last recorded swim in the UK was in August – prior to his last recorded swim in the United States. His best times include a 57.45 in the 100 long course meter freestyle and a 2:06.5 in the 200 long course meter butterfly.
His ban, enacted effective April 28th, cites the following two sections of the Code of Conduct:
- 304.3.6 Conviction of, imposition of a deferred sentence for, or any plea of guilty or no contest at any time, past or present, or the existence of any pending charges, for (i) any felony, (ii) any offense involving use, possession, distribution or intent to distribute illegal drugs or substances, (iii) any crime involving sexual misconduct, or (iv) any criminal offense against a minor.
- 304.3.19 Any other material and intentional act, conduct or omission not provided for above, which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming, a LSC or the sport of swimming.
where is he now.
He hangs out in Greenwich with his family and sisters who attend/ed the King School (the only private school that would take them after they fled UK) and are now at Princeton and UPenn – also swimmers. He has not registered as a sex offender and many people are unaware of his existence even when they send their daughters over to the house for drinking parities and sleepovers. Welcome to the world of the Elite!
Andrew Boeckman or Picard actually came back to the US and swam at the Greenwich YMCA Marlins in Connecticut. Now his family is swimming at Chelsea Piers Aquatic Club (CPAC) which is in Stamford, Connecticut. Beware.
He was caught, he was sort of punished albeit leniently and it’s not his fault his father is a successful lawyer who may have pulled strings. If you want to go after someone then go after the judge and the legal system that allows this. Let us hope is victims will be traced and offered the support they require and that Andrew Pickard-Boeckman or whatever he choses to call himself can go on and have a life that might atone for the mistakes he made when he was just 17 years old!
When I first heard about this, I was sick to my stomach. I had laughed with him, hugged him, welcomed him. What I find most astonishing, time after time, is that there is not a single mention of Andrew’s time at Williams College. Why is that? How has the College managed to keep this quiet?
A word in the right ear. Sorted. Freemasons.
I’m so happy to not be on the swimming beat anymore.
Sentences like the one given to this pervert, is a fine example of why we need mandatory sentences for certain crimes with no
descretion allowed on the Judges part.
My guess is there are EU Human Rights rulings in place . Britain is not allowed to deport terrorists & murderers because it will harm THEIR family life. I can imagine the EU Human Rights mantra is very lenient on minors .
What I think is this also – Just how did he get access to the children he photographed ? Who are these kids ? Where are they & how did they get to be in this appalling vulnerable situation?
this freak should be in jail!!!!