Accused of possessing and distributing child pornography, a Brewster police officer appeared in court Thursday and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Matthew B. Marshall was arrested after his shift Wednesday afternoon and charged with possession of child pornography, dissemination of child pornography, vandalism, unlawful communication of criminal offender record information, and taking photos outside a first responder’s official duties.
Following his arraignment in Orleans District Court Thursday, a judge set bail at $10,000 surety bond or $1,000 cash. Marshall was ordered to surrender all firearms and stay away from and have no contact with minors other than his daughter. His devices with internet access will also be subject to monitoring, per online court records.
Advertisement:According to a statement of facts filed in court, the investigation into the 46-year-old Marshall began in early May, when the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children on behalf of the social media platform Snapchat.
Snapchat allegedly flagged a video linked to an account belonging to Marshall, and the clip depicted a fully nude girl between the ages of about 10 and 13, according to the court document.
Investigators allegedly found an additional child pornography video after obtaining a search warrant for Marshall’s Snapchat data. According to the statement of facts, the second clip had been disseminated to five other Snapchat users and featured three teen girls exposing their breasts or underwear.
Investigators also allegedly found video evidence of Marshall urinating on sinks and faucets in public restrooms, including one incident where he purportedly vandalized the bathroom at a Dunkin’ in Yarmouth while wearing his Brewster police uniform.
In other videos and images, Marshall allegedly showed sensitive Criminal Justice Information System data and made derogatory remarks about the person whose photo was displayed. Another video from March appeared to have been filmed inside a residence as Brewster police responded to a call for service, according to the statement of facts. That video allegedly showed an elderly man in a state of nudity.
Advertisement:“The elderly man does not seem aware that he is being recorded from behind and may have a diminished mental capacity,” the court document states.
Marshall allegedly told investigators the Snapchat account in question was hacked and deactivated months ago. He denied downloading child pornography and initially said he didn’t recall urinating on restroom sinks, according to the statement of facts.
Asked about taking images that contained sensitive criminal record data, “he could not provide any information, just stated he has done it in the past and got in trouble for it before,” the court document states.
In a statement Thursday, Brewster Police Chief Heath J. Eldredge confirmed Marshall has been relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave. The department is now conducting an internal affairs investigation “to determine Marshall’s employment status,” according to Eldredge.
“The allegations against Matthew Marshall are offensive and absolutely not in line with the policies and values of the Brewster Police Department,” Eldredge said. “These actions do not represent the standards of the hardworking members of the Department. Our officers stand committed to serving the community with integrity and are dedicated to building and maintaining public trust.”
Advertisement:Eldredge said he has also notified the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission of Marshall’s arrest “so that POST may take appropriate actions regarding Marshall’s certification to work as a police officer.” Marshall was hired as a Brewster Police Department dispatcher in 2005 and became an officer in 2007.
Reached for comment following Thursday’s arraignment, defense attorney Robyn Keating emphasized Marshall’s presumed innocence.
“It’s early on in the process,” Keating said, noting a sizable amount of discovery in the case.
Marshall is due back in court for a probable cause hearing Sept. 12.
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