Newton Library Worker Arrested On Child Porn Charges
NEWTON (CBS) – A Newton library employee has been arrested on child pornography charges, a week after a Newton teacher was arrested on similar charges.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
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Forty-seven-year-old Peter Buchanan was taken into custody at his home Tuesday night and charged with two counts of dissemination of child pornography and possession of material depicting a child in sexual conduct.
WBZ-TV's Beth Germano reports
He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday in Newton District Court and was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail.
Prosecutor Craig Estes said investigators found 21 images of child pornography on a laptop at Buchanan's home while executing a search warrant there Tuesday.
Estes told the court Buchanan was taking part in a peer-to-peer file sharing network and admitted to downloading the child pornography for the last three-to-five years.
"He admitted that he was the only person to make use of that laptop. He admitted to having software on there to make use of a file sharing program on that computer and he admitted to possessing child pornography," Estes said.
Buchanan's attorney said his client had no intention of sending the child porn to anyone else.
Buchanan has worked at the Newton Free Library for 7-to-8 years and he also worked in the production department for the Tab newspapers.
Buchanan was ordered to stay away from the library, computers and anyone under the age of 18.
"The allegations against Peter Buchanan are serious, and extremely troubling. If they are proven to be true, then he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The type of behavior that has been alleged has absolutely no place anywhere in our community," Newton Mayor Setti Warren said in a statement.
WBZ-TV's Beth Germano spoke with Buchanan's father Briggs Buchanan, who told her, "This is all such a shock to me."
"I've never seen them, but they came last night and downloaded his computer. I guess he admitted those were his," said the elder Buchanan.
Asked if he believes his son needs help he said, "Anybody who does those things needs help of some kind."
Buchanan says it was a sleepless night after the arrest.
"How could this have happened? How could he disassociate himself from his job that went so well," he says.
"I'm worried about him but he's an adult and has to deal with these things."
Buchanan has lived in Newton for more than 40 years.
Last week, police arrested Newton teacher David Ettlinger on child pornography charges. He pleaded not guilty in court.
WBZ-TV's Beth Germano contributed to this report.
