Gov. Baker Cites Danvers Child Porn Case In Push For Bail Reform

DANVERS, MA —Gov. Charlie Baker is using the disturbing details of a Danvers child pornography case to highlight his push for stricter bail allowances when it comes to those accused of similar crimes.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office said Mark Ternullo, 68, was charged with child pornography after a contractor hired to renovate the bathroom of Ternullo's Danvers apartment removed the wall behind the bathtub because of extensive water damage and "found a hidden room in which multiple boxes full of pornographic images of children were stored."

The Essex DA's Office said Assistant District Attorney Ann Marie Gochis requested $500,000 cash bail for Ternullo, plus the conditions he remains under house arrest with a GPS monitoring device, does not have any contact with children under 18 years old and does not use the internet.

While Judge Randy Chapman agreed to the bail restrictions, the bail amount was set at $10,000.

"It's simple," Baker said in a social media post. "Anyone (accused of) having a secret room filled with child pornography should be kept away from the public and kids.

"But current law doesn't allow a judge to hold someone charged with possession of child pornography. Our bill would change that."

The DA's Office said Ternullo has lived in the apartment for the past 23 years.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 7.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)