Massachusetts

Danvers Psychologist arraigned on child porn charges after hidden room was discovered by contractors

DANVERS, Mass. — A Danvers man was arraigned Thursday for the possession of child pornography after hundreds of images were discovered by a contractor while renovating the man’s apartment, according to Essex District Attorney Ann Marie Gochis.

“I’m concerned for my grandkids,” a neighbor said, “they’re here all the time...I don’t know what the guy was into.”

The DA’s office told Boston 25 News that Danvers police were contacted Wednesday by the owner of the multifamily home in which Mark Ternullo, 68, has been a tenant for about 23 years. The building owner told police that while a contractor she hired was renovating Ternullo’s apartment, they had to remove the wall behind the bathtub due to extensive water damage and when removing the wall they found a hidden room in which multiple boxes full of pornographic images of children were stored.

Governor Charlie Baker weighed in on the case Friday.

“It’s simple: Anyone arrested for having a secret room filled with child pornography should be kept away from the public + kids,” said Baker in a post to Twitter. “But current law doesn’t allow a judge to hold someone charged with possession of child pornography. Our bill would change that.”

“But current law doesn’t allow a judge to hold someone charged with possession of child pornography. Our bill would change that.” said Baker, discussing legislation he’s filed on Beacon Hill.

“It’s long past time to update these laws to protect our communities,” Baker said.

The DA said when police responded they secured the apartment and obtained and executed a search warrant with the assistance of State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Crime Scene Services.

Ternullo was charged with one count of possession of child pornography during his arraignment in Salem District Court. The DA requested a $500,000 cash bail and that Ternullo remain under house arrest with a GPS monitoring device, stay away from and have no contact with children under 18, and not use the internet if he posts bail.

According to the DA’s office, Judge Randy Chapman set bail at $10,000 and imposed the conditions requested by the Commonwealth. As of Friday, Ternullo has not made bail.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for March 7.