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State Police and Methuen Police Announce Arrest of Methuen Officer on Child Pornography Charge
The Massachusetts State Police and Methuen Police today announced the arrest of a Methuen Police Officer on a child pornography charge.
The State Police Cyber Crimes Unit, with assistance from the State Police Special Tactical Operations Team, this morning, arrested, MATTHEW BISTANY, 51, at his Methuen residence. BISTANY at this time is charged with one count of child pornography. Troopers and Methuen Police executed a search warrant at the residence.
The investigation that led to today’s arrest began earlier this year when the Massachusetts State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a Cyber Tipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reporting the upload of child sexual assault material (i.e. child pornography images) to a specific IP address.
A subsequent investigation by the State Police Cyber Crimes Unit connected the upload of the child sexual assault material to BISTANY.
BISTANY is being arraigned today in Lawrence District Court. The case is being prosecuted by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.
“Upon learning of these allegations, Officer Matthew Bistany was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation and any internal investigation that is to follow,” Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara said. “While Officer Bistany is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the Methuen Police Department condemns the officer’s conduct as alleged in the charging documents. These allegations in no way reflect upon the character and reputation of the men and women of the Methuen Police Department who stand committed to protecting children and continue to serve with distinction.”
MSP Colonel John Mawn Jr. said: “The Massachusetts State Police and our law enforcement partners like the Methuen Police Department stand committed to protecting children, who are among the most vulnerable members of society, from sexual abuse, which is what child pornography is. I commend the work of our Cyber Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and am grateful for our partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.”
