Ex-lawman denies 2 morals charges
By LORI STABILE, lstabile@repub.com
PALMER - A former town policeman was arraigned yesterday in District Court on charges of child pornography possession and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
William E. McCarthy, a patrolman from 1974 to 2002, had an innocent plea entered on his behalf by his lawyer, Jack F. St. Clair of Springfield, during his brief court appearance before Judge Patricia T. Poehler.
St. Clair waived the reading of the charges.
McCarthy, 59, of Palmer, was released on the condition that he stay away from the alleged victim. He will return to court on Dec. 7 for a pretrial conference.
"He maintains his innocence, and looks forward to defending himself ... He had an outstanding career as a policeman," St. Clair said after the arraignment.
In a telephone interview, First Assistant District Attorney James C. Orenstein said that the alleged indecent assault was a "kiss of an inappropriate nature" involving an 11-year-girl, who is not a relative of McCarthy's.
Orenstein said that State Police detectives seized a computer belonging to McCarthy, and discovered child pornography on it. Orenstein said the child pornography did not involve the girl.
The initial complaint was brought to Palmer police last July by a parent or guardian of the girl, Orenstein said. Police Chief Robert P. Frydryk, in a Police Department interview, said the case was turned over to State Police detectives from Hampden County District Attorney William M. Bennett's office because McCarthy is a former Palmer police officer.
Frydryk declined comment on the charges.
While McCarthy's court file contained a sealed envelope marked "impounded" on Monday, the envelope was missing from the file yesterday. Orenstein said the judge impounded the report after a motion by the commonwealth to protect the victim's identity.
The child pornography possession charge carries a maximum state prison sentence of five years; the charge of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 carries a maximum state prison sentence of 10 years.
McCarthy is listed on the Web site of the Licensed Private Detectives Association of Massachusetts as having an office in Thorndike.