Crime & Safety

Natick Man Charged With Managing Child Porn Message Group

The Natick man admitted to being the manager of a group that traded photos and videos of child pornography.

NATICK, MA—A Natick man was arrested and charged on Monday with distribution and possession of child pornography after investigators say they found him to be the moderator of chat group that trades child porn images.

Francis Castellino, 19, was charged in federal court in Boston with one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. Castellino remains in custody, after agreeing to voluntary detention during an appearance before Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler.

In a search of Castellino's home in Natick as part of an ongoing investigation into the trade of child porn through the Kik messenger, Castellino admitted to acting as moderator of a Kik chat group. The group was dedicated to trading images and videos of child pornography with other users.

Find out what's happening in Natickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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