Methuen police officer arrested on youngster porn cost

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Matthew Bistany was instantly positioned on administrative depart.

The Methuen Police Station. John Tlumacki / The Boston Globe

A Methuen police officer was arrested Tuesday for allegedly importing youngster pornography to the web. 

Matthew Bistany, 51, faces one rely of kid pornography, in keeping with Massachusetts State Police. He was arrested at his residence in Methuen, the place police executed a search warrant.

The investigation into the matter started earlier this 12 months. The Web Crimes In opposition to Kids Process Pressure, a part of the state police, acquired a tip from the Nationwide Middle for Lacking and Exploited Kids. The tip contained details about the add of kid sexual assault materials from a particular IP handle, police stated. 

State police then linked the add to Bistany. 

“Upon studying of those allegations, Officer Matthew Bistany was instantly positioned on administrative depart pending the result of the felony investigation and any inner investigation that’s to comply with,” Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara stated in an announcement. “Whereas Officer Bistany is presumed harmless till confirmed responsible, the Methuen Police Division condemns the officer’s conduct as alleged within the charging paperwork. These allegations by no means replicate upon the character and status of the women and men of the Methuen Police Division who stand dedicated to defending kids and proceed to serve with distinction”

Bistany was arraigned Tuesday in Lawrence District Court docket. The Essex County District Lawyer’s Workplace is main the prosecution. 

“The Massachusetts State Police and our regulation enforcement companions just like the Methuen Police Division stand dedicated to defending kids, who’re among the many most susceptible members of society, from sexual abuse, which is what youngster pornography is,” State Police Col. John Mawn Jr. stated in an announcement. “I commend the work of our Cyber Crimes Unit and Web Crimes In opposition to Kids Process Pressure and am grateful for our partnership with the Nationwide Middle for Lacking and Exploited Kids.”