A Massachusetts school custodian was held on bail Thursday following his arraignment on child pornography charges.
Miguel Pereira, 35, of Somerset was charged with dissemination of child pornography and possession of child pornography at Fall River Justice Center.
Pereira had been a custodian at Somerset-Berkley Regional High School for only a few weeks, according to police.
Authorities said they were tipped off by investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force, which had allegedly found child pornography being shared from the suspect's IP address.
A search warrant was executed at his home just before his arrest at the high school Wednesday night.
"My client is devastated by these charges. He denies these charges," said defense attorney Michael DiGioia.
Pereira's family did not appear in court but prosecutors said they did contact authorities.
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"The defendant's wife contacted our office and indicated to us she does not want him back in the residence," said prosecutor Kyle McPherson.
Outside of the school, students were shocked to hear of the charges.
"It's honestly disgusting. That's not OK at all," said student Darien Munoz.
"This is a school where there is children including mine and other ones and he has a child of his own so it’s very disturbing to hear," said one parent named Nancy.
In a letter to families, the school district's superintendent called Pereira's arrest "disturbing," and said there does not appear to be any involvement of any high school student at the moment. Pereira has been placed on leave pending the results of the investigation, Superintendent Jeffrey Schoonover wrote.
The school district also said Pereira successfully passed a background check, which included a criminal record check and national fingerprint background check, when he was hired about five weeks ago.
s school custodian was held on bail Thursday following his arraignment on child pornography charges.
Pereira is due back in court Nov. 27.
