Bannister arraigned on child pornography charges

A Becket man was arraigned this afternoon in Berkshire Superior Court on child pornography charges.  40 year old JAMES J. BANNISTER (40 Trout Close Road) appeared before Judge John Agostini. 

BANNISTER had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on five (5) counts of DISSEMINATION OF VISUAL MATERIAL OF A CHILD IN A STATE OF NUDITY OR SEXUAL CONDUCT and nineteen (19) counts of KNOWINGLY POSSESSING VISUAL MATERIAL OF A CHILD DEPICTED IN SEXUAL CONDUCT.  Judge Agostini released him on personal recognizance.    

It is alleged that BANNISTER possessed child pornography between December 23, 2010 and March 23, 2011.      

The investigation was conducted by state troopers assigned to the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.