Press Release  Woburn Man Arraigned in Connection with Possession, Intent to Distribute Child Pornography

Woburn — A Woburn man has been arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court in connection with possession of and intent to distribute child pornography, Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office announced today.

Marlan Ray Barker, age 55, was arraigned on Wednesday in Middlesex Superior Court on charges of Possession of Child Pornography with Intent to Disseminate (3 counts) and Possession of Child Pornography.

“Our office is committed to protecting children and we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute online predators who seek to exploit them,” said AG Healey.

At the arraignment, Barker pleaded not guilty to the charges. Judge Kathe M. Tuttman set bail at $3,000 cash with the conditions that he have no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18 and remain in treatment. Barker is due back in Middlesex Superior Court on March 19 for a pre-trial conference.

Barker was indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on Jan. 22, 2015. He was previously arrested on Jan. 29, 2014 after State Police assigned to the AG’s Office obtained and executed a search warrant at Barker’s residence and found alleged evidence of child pornography. He was subsequently arraigned in Woburn District Court on Jan. 30, 2014.

In December 2013, the Massachusetts Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force obtained information about a computer allegedly offering known child pornography images and videos over a file-sharing network. State Police assigned to the AG’s Office then began an investigation and tracked the computer system to Barker’s residence in Woburn.

On Jan. 29, 2014, State Police obtained and executed a search warrant authorizing the search of Barker’s residence for depictions of child pornography. State Police seized computers and other media items from Barker’s residence. Investigation of these items revealed file names allegedly associated with child pornography.

Further investigation revealed that Barker’s computer contained thousands of images and videos of children being sexually abused. Authorities also discovered that Barker used a file sharing program and had child pornography available to share with others through that program.

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

Attorney General Maura Healey, in her inaugural address, announced that she will create a new Child and Youth Protection Division. This division will focus on protecting young people in their schools, homes, on the streets and online. The Division is committed to working with state agencies to help ensure the reforms needed to keep the youth of the Commonwealth safe and healthy.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Allyson Portney, of the AG’s Cyber Crime Division. It was investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, members of the Massachusetts State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and investigators from the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab.

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