AMHERST — Francis “Frank” Hart of Amherst, a retired Massachusetts State Police detective captain, pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown on Aug. 20, according to the state Attorney General’s Office.
Hart, who served as a trooper assigned to the state Fire Marshal’s Office, was released after posting $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 is expected back in Eastern Hampshire District Court for a pretrial conference on Oct. 22.
Hart was arrested on the charges at his home by state police Thursday night, state police spokesman David Procopio said.
A message left Friday afternoon at a phone number for Hart’s home was not immediately returned.
The investigation began when state police received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Attorney General’s Office and the State Police Cyber Crimes Unit then developed probable cause to obtain a search warrant and to make the arrest.
During the execution of a search warrant, police seized various digital devices, according to the AG’s office. A subsequent investigation of these devices revealed alleged images of child pornography.
Procopio issued a written statement on behalf of the Massachusetts State Police.
“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the disturbing actions as alleged in the criminal complaint against this defendant,” Procopio said. “Child pornography is the product of child sexual abuse and it is among the most heinous crimes we investigate.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Colleen Monroe and Stephanie Jimenez, both of Attorney General Maura Healey’s Criminal Bureau, with assistance from Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Attorney General’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crimes and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Amherst Police and the Attorney General’s Digital Evidence Laboratory.
“We will continue to work with the prosecution team to ensure he is held accountable for his crimes,” Procopio said.