Melrose Man Indicted In Child Pornography Case

MELROSE, MA — A Melrose man has been indicted in federal court on charges linked to child sexual abuse material, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Massachusetts announced Thursday.

Court records show a grand jury indicted Patrick Baxter this week roughly a month after authorities announced Baxter’s arrest in early December.

Baxter, 34, is facing two charges including one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

Baxter was due to appear in court at a later date as of Thursday, according to federal prosecutors.

Baxter is being represented by attorney Joseph Simons in this case.

"The case is new, and we are waiting to receive evidence from the government," Simons said in a statement on Friday. "At this point, we have yet to obtain any proof of the allegations against Mr. Baxter. Mr. Baxter maintains his innocence, and looks forward to clearing his name in court."

Prosecutors said last month that authorities allegedly found more than 400 videos showing child sexual abuse stored on an external hard drive during a search of Baxter’s residence.

The receipt of child pornography charge against Baxter could carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison with a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The possession of child pornography charge comes with up to 10 years in prison, also with a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.