Press Release  Dorchester Man Arrested, Arraigned for Possessing Child Pornography

Boston — A Dorchester man has been arrested and arraigned in connection with allegedly possessing child pornography while he was on probation for a previous violation, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

“This defendant allegedly possessed child pornography while he was on probation after serving time in prison for similar crimes,” said AG Healey. “These crimes are serious and deeply disturbing and our office is committed to going after those who prey on children.”

George Shipps, age 53, of Dorchester, was arraigned today in Boston Municipal Court on the charge of Possession of Child Pornography (one count).

At the arraignment, Shipps pleaded not guilty to the charge. Judge Thomas Horgan set bail at $50,000, with the conditions that Shipps be monitored via GPS and subject to house arrest, have no contact with any child under the age of 18, stay away from schools parks and any other places where children congregate and have no computer or Internet access, except for work purposes.

Shipps will be back in Boston Municipal Court for a status conference on June 7.

On April 28, during a regularly scheduled office visit, Shipps’ probation officer found images of alleged child pornography on Shipps’ cell phone. Following the discovery, authorities allege that Shipps fled the court prior to his hearing on the probation violation before the Clerk Magistrate. On the same day, State Police obtained and executed a search warrant for Shipps’ bedroom in a Dorchester residence. Subsequent initial investigation of devices seized revealed alleged images of child pornography.

State Police assigned to the AG’s Office with assistance from Boston Police arrested Shipps on May 4 at an apartment in Hyde Park without incident.

In April 2011, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Judith Fabricant sentenced Shipps to serve three to five years in state prison with two consecutive five-year probation terms after he pled guilty to the charges of Possession of Child Pornography (six counts) and Distribution of Child Pornography (two counts). Under the terms of his probation, Shipps is not allowed to view or possess child pornography and he must also allow the Department of Probation to inspect and search, without prior announcement, any computer, electronic device, digital media, videotape or photographs, or any other item capable of storing photographs, images or depictions for the purpose of monitoring compliance with these conditions, among other conditions.

The AG’s Office is working in conjunction with the Suffolk Superior Court Probation Department regarding Shipps violating the terms of his probation.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Allyson Portney, of AG Healey’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division. The case was investigated by State Police assigned to the AG’s Office with assistance from Boston Police and the AG’s Digital Evidence Laboratory.

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