Marblehead Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Possession and Distribution

A man arrested last year as part of a statewide crackdown on child pornography, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Salem Superior Court to possession and dissemination of child pornography.

Matthew Macaro, 34, of Marblehead, pleaded guilty to 6 counts of possession of child pornography and 1 count of distribution of child pornography. 

Judge Howard Whitehead sentenced him to 4 months in the House of Correction followed by 3 years of probation during which he will be subject to random checks of his computer, must undergo a sex offender evaluation and seek any treatment deemed necessary.

Macaro was arrested last April as part of a statewide crackdown initiated by the Massachusetts Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force which consists of federal, state, local, and county law enforcement agencies. 

Assistant District Attorney Michael Patten recommended a 3-5 year State Prison sentence followed by 5 years of probation based on the serious nature of the charges.  Had the case gone to trial, ADA Patten would have tried to prove that in March of 2012, Trooper Michael Murphy, a Massachusetts State Police detective assigned to the Essex District Attorney’s Office, was conducting an investigation of peer-to-peer networks. During that investigation, Murphy discovered images and videos containing child pornography that were traced to a computer at Macaro’s address.

Upon execution of a search warrant of the home, a computer containing more than 50 images and videos of child pornography was found and it was determined that Macaro was the sole user of the computer.

Macaro was taken into custody immediately following the hearing.  He was represented by Attorney Jessica Hedges.

Patch reported a year ago that Macaro was among the 32 men charged with possession or dissemination of child pornography following a week-long, statewide sweep called "Operation Corral," which involved state, local and federal law enforcement authorities.