Melrose Man Facing Possession of Child Pornography Charges

A Melrose man was arraigned on possession of child pornography charges Friday in a Malden court, announced Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone and Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle in a press statement.

Thomas Lynch, 50, of Melrose, was arraigned Friday in Malden District Court on two charges of possession of child pornography and possession of child pornography with intent to distribute, according to the statement. Malden District Court Judge Dunbar Livingston released the defendant on personal recognizance with the following conditions: have no contact with children under the age of 18 except for his own children; no work or volunteering with children under 18; no Internet or computer use except for work purposes; and must check in with probation once per week, reads the statement.

Lynch is expected to reappear in court Dec. 12 for a status hearing, according to the statement.

According to authorities, the Massachusetts State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was conducting an investigation into sharing of child pornography images over the Internet, reads the statement. During the investigation, police allege that Lynch downloaded and possessed images of child pornography on his computer which were able to be shared with others, according to the statement. 

On Nov. 8 a search warrant was executed and State Police and Melrose Police arrested Lynch and seized his home computer as evidence, according to the statement.

The charges are allegations, and Lynch is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the statement noted.

The case was arraigned by Assistant District Attorney Terence Kiernan, reads the statement. The case is being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Melrose Police, the statement added.