NORTON - A local scout leader charged in an online police sting operation with possessing and distributing child pornography, has been booted out of the Boy Scouts of America.

Meanwhile, John J. Ready, 60, who lives in a third-floor apartment at 128 Barrows St., was ordered held in jail without bail Monday after arraignment in Attleboro District Court where he pleaded innocent to child porn and fugitive from justice charges.

The father of five children, who has been separated from his wife Linda for two years, was arrested Friday by local and state police after a four-month investigation that was started in December by detectives in Stafford County, Virginia.

As a result of his arrest, Troop 24 of the Anawan Council of the Boy Scouts of America, filed papers Monday that revoke Ready's membership in the scouts, said Allen Endicott, scout executive with the council.

Ready, who has been involved in scouting for at least five years, was arrested after he allegedly communicated via computer with Virginia police detectives posing as 13-year-old boys, according to authorities.

During a bail hearing, authorities disclosed additional details about the investigation and court records indicate authorities are investigating Ready's alleged claim of sexual contact with a 10-year-old boy from Norton whom he knows.

"Over the course of four months the defendant sent several several sexually explicit e-mails" to the "boys" not knowing they were detectives, Assistant District Attorney Ken Clark said in Attleboro District Court.

According to Clark and a police report filed at the court, the e-mails included hundreds of photographs and movie files allegedly containing prepubescent boys engaged in sexual acts with other children and adults.

Clark said Ready also twice used a Web camera to transmit images of himself masturbating. In one of the instances, Clark said, Ready's face was visible to the investigator who then identified Ready through his Massachusetts driver's license.

Clark said the investigation into Ready's alleged activities remains under investigation and filed a motion to impound the search warrant and search warrant affidavit in the case.

In a police report filed with the case, Ready allegedly boasted to one of the detectives posing as a 13-year-old boy that he had oral sex with a 10-year-old boy from Norton whom he knows.

"All I can say is the whole situation is still under investigation," Norton Detective Sgt.Brian Clark said when asked about Ready's alleged claim.

Ready also allegedly introduced the detectives who posed as boys to Gene R. Morrill, whom Virginia officials say served seven years in a New Hampshire prison for the rape of a 13-year-old child.

Ready is the father of 16-year-old triplets and 12-year-old twins and for the past four years has worked as a business manager for Shaw's Supermarket, said defense lawyer Neal Steingold.

Dennis Paquin, the boyfriend of Linda Ready, told The Sun Chronicle Saturday that John Ready was a dedicated father to his children. The family is now shocked by the disclosures, he said.

Norton police charged Ready with possession of child pornography, distributing material of a child in the nude, and being a fugitive from justice. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Virginia officials have charged Ready with the distribution of child pornography, using electronic communications to solicit a juvenile and conspiracy to commit indecent liberties with a juvenile.

Virginia authorities say additional charges may be filed when Ready is rendited to that state. Because of the Massachusetts charges, it is unclear when Ready will be sent to Virginia.

"Our children are among the most vulnerable members of our community and are frequently the victims of predators and criminals," Sutter said in a statement.

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