NORTH READING — Chief Michael Murphy reports that the North Reading Police Department arrested a man after an investigation into the proliferation of child pornography.
After a thorough investigation, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations agents, JAMES WILLIS, AGE 28, OF NORTH READING was arrested without incident on Thursday morning and charged with:
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Distribution of Child Pornography
- Possession of a Class B Substance (MDMA)
- Possession of a Class C Substance (Mescaline)
The arrest comes after North Reading Police Detectives, investigating the possibility that sexually explicit media depicting children was being distributed via the internet from WILLIS’ Ridgeway Road Residence, were granted a search warrant. The warrant was executed at 7 a.m. Thursday.
WILLIS is being held pending arraignment Thursday morning at Woburn District Court. The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional charges may be added.
Chief Murphy expresses his gratitude to the North Reading Detectives and HSI agents who helped bring this case forward.
HSI is an investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security and is a vital asset in combating criminal organizations illegally exploiting America’s travel, trade, financial and immigration systems. Among its specialties are cybercimes, human smuggling, drug smuggling, and investigation of child pornography, as well as crimes that cross state and national borders, including via the internet.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
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