Compliments of a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in December, the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) arrested the Chief of staff to the mayor of the city of Lawrence, MA on February 6th. Jhovanny Martes-Rosario, 48, has been charged with two counts of possession of child pornography according to an MSP spokesperson. He was arrested after a search warrant of his home turned up the evidence needed to file charges.
During the search “Troopers located dozens of images of child pornography on the suspect’s iPad,” according to the MSP. The tip came to the MSP Cyber Crimes Unit after the NCMEC provided them with intel about someone uploading child porn from Martes-Rosario’s IP address. With that information troopers were able to establish a connection between him and the IP address and obtain a search warrant from the Salem District Court.
In a simple statement, the City of Lawrence distanced itself from Martes-Rosario. “Mayor Brian A. DePeña made the decision to immediately dismiss Mr. Jhovanny Martes, Chief Staff of the office of Mayor DePeña, after receiving official information of his arrest due to causes that remain under investigation at this time.”
Somehow, Martes-Rosario was given minimal bail for $1,050 after being booked into the Andover State Police Barracks. On the 7th he appeared in Lawrence District Court and plead not guilty. He was ordered to surrender his passport, stay off the internet, and be away from all children apart from his own son. Martes-Rosario is due back in court on March 27th.
These stories are becoming more common these days. Are the liberal laws about child porn, bail, and other taboo issues only making the problem with child porn more widespread?
