BOSTON — A 69-year-old man from Hull, Massachusetts, was arrested at Logan Airport on a slew of child pornography charges as he disembarked from a flight returning from Florida, officials said. James Tucker faced the charges of possessing child pornography, disseminating such illicit material, and photographing an unsuspecting nude person, as released in a statement by Hull Police Chief John Dunn.
The apprehension occurred on Tuesday when Tucker was confronted by law enforcement shortly after 5:40 p.m. as he exited his aircraft. His cellphone was promptly seized to serve as evidence in the ongoing case. Despite efforts to swiftly arrange his court date, Tucker was able to secure release by posting $1,000 bail during his arraignment in Hingham District Court, according to a report from WCVB. As part of his bail conditions, the accused has been ordered to not come into contact with anyone under the age of 18 and to keep away from the family he had been residing with on Driftway Avenue.
Tucker's capture followed a diligent investigation led by the Hull Police and the U.S. Secret Service New England Cyber Fraud Task Force. Earlier this month, on May 7, officers conducted a search warrant at his Driftway Avenue home and confiscated several hard drives and thumb drives, although Tucker was not present at the property at that time, conveyed Dunn in his statement obtained by Boston 25 News.
Upon contacting Tucker later that day, authorities learned he was stationed in Florida but planned to soon return to Massachusetts. In preparation to finalize the case against him, law enforcement, including state police detectives and agents from the U.S. Secret Service New England Cyber Fraud Task Force, awaited his arrival at Logan International Airport to place him under arrest without incident. Tucker's legal proceedings are now poised to continue on June 18, when he will make another appearance in court.
While the case against Tucker is in the process of judicial examination, the Hull Police and the U.S. Secret Service New England Cyber Fraud Task Force have indicated that their probe into the child pornography operation remains active and ongoing. This is a developing story and further details will be disclosed as they become available.
