Man Who Drives Special Needs Students Facing Child Porn Charges

NORTH ANDOVER, MA -- State and local police arrested a North Andover man who works as a van driver for special needs students on charges of possession of child pornography and dissemination of visual material of a child in a state of nudity last week. According to the Massachusetts State Police, Joseph, LaHood, 56, of 16 Edgelawn Avenue Apt. 2, was arrested after police executed a search warrant at his home on Oct. 30.

State Police said they found "evidence of child pornography" on LaHood's computer and smartphone. He arrived at the apartment as police were conducting the search and was driving the van he used for his work with VanPool of Bedford.

T.J. Winick, a Senior Vice President with VanPool, said LaHood started working for the company at the start of the school year after a comprehensive background check. The company began cooperating with investigators when they were contacted earlier this month and were told that the charges were unrelated to LaHood's work with VanPool. VanPool has placed LaHood on administratuve leave.

"There is no higher priority for Van Pool Transportation than the safety, security and well-being of our students and employees," Winick said. "We believe transporting each of our five thousand students every school day is a great responsibility, and are dedicated to a commitment of superior and safe service."

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).