LAWRENCE - Jhovanny Martes-Rosario, 48, who worked as chief of staff to Lawrence Mayor BrianDePeña, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Lawrence District Court. He had posted a bond of $1,050 after being booked at the Andover State Police Barracks following his arrest Monday evening.
Judge Holly Broadbent retained that bail but agreed to three conditions requested by prosecutors: Martes-Rosario stay off the internet, away from all children under 18 except his own son, and surrender his passport.
Martes-Rosario is next due in court on March 27.
According to a State Police statement, the agency’s Cyber Crime Unit arrested Martes-Rosario after troopers executed a court-authorized search warrant on electronic devices in his home.
The Unit began its investigation in December, after receiving information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about alleged images of child pornography uploaded from an IP address associated with Martes-Rosario’s house.
Further investigation by troopers connected the IP address to Martes-Rosario, the statement said.
After obtaining the search warrant from Salem District Court on Monday, members of the Cyber Crime Unit went to Martes-Rosario’s house about 6:30 p.m. and conducted a forensic examination of electronic devices.
Troopers allegedly located dozens of images of child pornography on the suspect’s iPad. Troopers also interviewed Martes-Rosario after providing him his Miranda Rights.
Troopers transported Martes-Rosario to the State Police-Andover Barracks, where he was booked.
The Commonwealth was represented by Assistant District Attorney Shailagh Kennedy. Martes-Rosario was represented by attorney Joanne McLaughlin of Lawrence.
The defendant told the court he was fired from his city position on Monday.
