MA Man Who Used Tumblr To Post Child Porn Faces Lengthy Prison Sentence

BRAINTREE, MA — A Braintree man pleaded guilty to child pornography charges after he used a Tumblr account to receive and distribute images of children between the ages of four and eight.

Michael Martin, 44, pleaded guilty on Aug. 14 to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 15. Martin was initially charged by criminal complaint in May 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2022.

On March 9, 2021, the social media platform Tumblr reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a Tumblr user – later identified as Martin – had suspected child pornography on their account.

A search of Martin’s Braintree residence resulted in the seizure of various electronic devices storing child pornography, officials said. Additionally, a search of his Tumblr account determined that Martin has posted and received child pornography over the social media site.

The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.