Press Release  Former Massachusetts State Police Captain Arrested, Arraigned on Child Pornography Charges

BOSTON — A retired detective captain with the Massachusetts State Police has been arrested and arraigned in connection with allegedly possessing child pornography, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Francis Hart, 60, of Amherst, was arraigned today in Eastern Hampshire District Court on the charge of Possession of Child Pornography (2 counts). Hart pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released after posting a $2,500 cash bail with the conditions that he have no contact with any child under the age of 18 and have no internet access other than on public devices that prohibit access to illegal sites or illegal content.

Hart will be back in Eastern Hampshire District Court on October 22 for a pretrial conference.

State Police assigned to the Cyber Crimes Unit and the AG’s Office began an investigation in January after receiving information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an email address registered to Hart had uploaded a file containing numerous images of suspected child pornography.

Hart was arrested Thursday at his Amherst residence. During the execution of a search warrant, police seized various digital devices. Subsequent investigation of the devices revealed alleged images of child pornography.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Colleen Monroe and Stephanie Jimenez, both of AG Healey’s Criminal Bureau, with assistance from Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crimes and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Amherst Police, and the AG’s Digital Evidence Laboratory.

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