A Reading man has been barred from using the internet or making contact with children under 18 years old after being charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.
Glenn Gerade of Reading pleaded "not guilty" Thursday morning at Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn to four charges of possessing child pornography and one count of distributing it.
The docket on the case, provided to Reading Patch by District Attorney Gerry Leone's office, said that Gerade had several hundred images and videos of child pornography on his home computers.
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When speaking with police, the docket said, Gerade described his use of the material as "almost like an addiction."
The court released him without bail, but the terms of his probation bar him from using a computer, stipulate that he must check in with the department once a week and allow probation officers to search his home to ensure he complies with those conditions.
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Gerade also signed a waiver of rendition, which would make it easier for Massachusetts authorities to retrieve him from another state.
The court also informed him that he could suffer heavy penalties—including a $50,000 fine or five years' imprisonment—should he miss a future court date.
Gerade's lawyer, Gabriela Tal Robin, told the court her client has so far been cooperative with authorities and respectful of court dates.
Gerade is next scheduled return to court September 30 for a pre-trial conference.
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