Prosecutors: Man charged with possession of child porn worked at Norfolk community television station

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

Norfolk County authorities are now reviewing electronic media, including CDs, allegedly connected to a man with ties to both the Norfolk Community Television station and Norfolk elementary schools who is under investigation for allegedly possessing child pornography.

Andrew Eckard was arraigned in Wrentham District Court today, where he pleaded not guilty to six counts of possession of child pornography stemming from materials seized from an apartment in Millis where he had been living.

He also pleaded not guilty to three counts of possession of Class B drugs after Norfolk police allegedly found Valium, Clonazepam, and oxycodone drugs in a camper linked to Eckard that was parked in the backyard of a Norfolk home.

Bail for the 33-year-old was set at $5,000 cash.

Through her law partner, Eckard’s defense attorney, Shelley Joseph of Newton, said Eckard “maintains his innocence and denies any knowledge of the CDs or their content.’’

According to Norfolk County officials and Eckard’s Facebook page, Eckard was the “station manager/executive director’’ of Norfolk Community Television. The community cable channel has two studios — one of which is inside the Freeman-Centennial Elementary School on Boardman Street, according to the group’s website.

In a letter sent to parents Wednesday, Norfolk Interim School Superintendent Claire W. Jackson said Eckard has been in both of the town’s elementary schools through his work with the community cable station.

“While Mr. Eckard has worked with both elementary schools in his capacity as station manager, his work has been limited to filming groups of students in plays, concerts, and other school activities,’’ she wrote.

Jackson referred parents to prosecutors and police if they wanted more information.

In a statement, Morrissey’s office said that police “have not yet identified any local children posed or exhibited in a state of nudity.’’

Millis Police Chief Keith Edison said today that his department received information about the 33-year-old Eckard’s alleged involvement in child porn on Monday.

On Tuesday, police obtained search warrants for multiple locations linked to Eckard, searches that led to the recovery of the alleged child pornography and Eckard’s arrest, officials said.

“There has not been a complete review of every image, but we do have probable cause for what he’s been charged with,’’ said the chief. “The investigation is ongoing.’’