Boston city worker arraigned on child porn charges

BOSTON (WHDH) -- A Boston city worker who was on the job for nearly 30 years was arrested on child pornography charges.

James Mansfield, 47, was arraigned on Monday.

“That tip included information concerning sexually explicit and graphic chats between the defendant and an unknown user,” said prosecutor Gloriann Moroney.

Prosecutors said Boston police received a cyber tip. Investigators said a search of Mansfield’s Charlestown home and computer revealed child pornography. The state claims Mansfield knows two of the children, both 12 years old.

“Chats included photos of the boys and again sexually explicit comments,” said Moroney.

Mansfield had been an executive assistant in the Boston Transportation Department. He has worked for the city for nearly 30 years.

Defense attorneys said Mansfield’s conversations were with adults and he did nothing illegal.

“One adult and not with any children. There is no allegation of enticement. There is no allegation of abuse and there is no allegation of dissemination of any pornographic material,” said Mansfield’s lawyer.

The mayor’s office said Mansfield’s computers have been secure and there is no evidence of any wrong doing on his work computer, it was just a precaution as part of the investigation.

Mansfield was held on $20,000 bail. If he makes bail he has a curfew, must where a GPS and he can’t have any unsupervised visits with children under the age of 18, including his two children.