Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crimes Unit arrest driver of student van for child pornography

Troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crimes Unit (MSP CCU) and local police last week arrested a North Andover man on child pornography charges. The defendant, JOSEPH LaHOOD, 56, was employed at the time of his arrest as a driver of a van for special needs students.

On Oct. 30 MSP CCU Troopers and North Andover Police executed a court-issued search warrant at 16 Edgelawn Ave., apt. 2. After making entry, Troopers and officers determined the apartment’s occupant was not home.

In the late afternoon, as MSP CCU Troopers and officers were searching the residence pursuant to the warrant, LaHOOD pulled into the parking lot next to the residence. He was operating a silver Ford van with school bus markings.

Cognizant that LaHOOD held an active license to carry and owned several registered firearms, Troopers intercepted him as he exited the van, ensured he was not carrying, and informed him of the search warrant for his home.

After being given his Miranda rights, LaHOOD made statements relevant to the investigation. MSP CCU Troopers conducted on-scene forensic examinations of several devices in the residence and, with LaHOOD’s consent, of a smartphone located on his person. The examinations of the phone and a laptop computer resulted in the recovery of evidence of child pornography.

LaHOOD was placed under arrest and transported to State Police-Andover, where he was booked on charges of possession of child pornography and dissemination of visual material of a child in a state of nudity. He was held on $50,000 cash bail pending his court appearance.

Police determined that LaHOOD was employed by VanPool, a company located in Bedford.