STATE POLICE AND NORTON POLICE ARREST ON-LINE PREDATOR

March 23, 2007 State Police detectives, with Norton Police, arrested an on-line predator who had been targeted in an internet sting operation initiated by the Stafford County, Virginia Sheriff's Department.

John J. Ready, age 60, of Norton, MA was arrested by State Police and Norton Police detectives at his apartment on Barrows Street in Norton after a lengthy investigation and sting operation which was begun in December of 2006 by detectives with the Stafford County Virginia Sheriff's Department. Ready made contact with a detective who portrayed himself as a 13 year old boy on the internet. Ready was then introduced to another "13 year old friend" who was in fact, a 2nd detective. The two detectives received from Ready, on line, pictures and movies of other children engaged in sexual acts with other children and adults. John Ready then introduced, on line, a friend, Gene Raymond Morrill, from New Ipswich, New Hampshire, who was also arrested in New Hampshire by the Stafford County detectives.

Stafford County detectives came to Massachusetts with warrants to assist in the arrest of Ready, who is well known in the town of Norton. Ready has been involved with Norton's Boy Scouts, and search and rescue teams for the town of Norton's Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Ready will be charged in Massachusetts with Possession and Dissemination of Child Pornography. He will also be charged in Virginia pending his extradition with multiple charges relating to the distribution of child pornography and solicitation of a juvenile. Ready will be arraigned Monday at Attleboro District Court.

State Police and Norton Police detectives request the assistance of anyone having any knowledge which would be relevant to this investigation. They also advise that parents closely monitor their children's access to the internet and immediately report to law enforcement if their children are ever approached inappropriately on the internet.

Please contact State Police detectives from Bristol County at 508-993-2016, and Norton Police detectives at 508-285-3309.

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