Probation Officer Arraigned for Child Exploitation
BOSTON, October 15, 2021—A probation officer was arraigned today amid an ongoing investigation by Suffolk prosecutors and the Boston Police Department into the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said.
MICHAEL O’REILLY of West Roxbury is charged one count each of posing a child in a state of nudity and dissemination of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. He is a probation officer assigned to Brookline District Court and serves as an umpire and umpire coordinator for Parkway Little League in West Roxbury.
Mr. O’Reilly appeared in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court today after posting $5,000 and being released from a Boston Police station last night. As the sole purpose of monetary bail is to ensure a charged individual’s appearance in court, Assistant District Attorney Anna Holding of District Attorney Rollins’ Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit did not request additional bail beyond the posted amount. At ADA Holding’s request, Judge Kathleen Coffey ordered that Mr. O’Reilly stay away from and have no contact with any child under 18 and have GPS monitoring.
Earlier this month, the Boston Police Department received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alleging that an individual, later identified as Mr. O’Reilly, had shared sexual abuse material on a messenger app, prompting an investigation led by detectives assigned to the Boston Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Human Trafficking Unit and assisted by members of Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and members of this office’s Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit. Police executed a search warrant at his home last week and located items belonging to him that contained child sexual abuse material.
“I’m grateful to our local and federal law enforcement partners who acted quickly and collaboratively in response to these allegations, and to my team for their ongoing work on this case,” District Attorney Rollins said. “As parents, caretakers and adults of conscience, these allegations are disturbing and difficult to hear, let alone talk about. Perpetrators of these crimes rely on their victims’ silence. For that reason, it’s vital that we talk about child abuse and exploitation. We want victims to know they are not alone, and perpetrators need to know that we will hold them accountable. My office is available to provide services to abuse and exploitation survivors in Suffolk County to connect them with resources and support on their journey toward healing.”
While the victims and witnesses of any crime should call 911 in an emergency, there are additional resources available to report suspected crimes against children. In Suffolk County, survivors of child abuse and exploitation and their non-offending caretakers can receive comprehensive services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County. The CAC can be reached at 617-779-2146. Anyone who believes that a child in Massachusetts may be the victim of abuse can call the Department of Children and Families’ Child at Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200. Those concerned that a child is being exploited online may report a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.cybertipline.com. Finally, if parents want help navigating online risks and how to discuss them with children and teens, District Attorney Rollins offers the Stop Block and Talk internet safety training program for caregivers and professionals. Information on the program and helpful resources can be found at http://www.suffolkdistrictattorney.com/stop-block-and-talk.
Cara Spencer is the assigned victim witness advocate. Mr. O’Reilly is represented by Christopher Perruzzi. He returns to court December 1, 2021.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.