A Massachusetts social worker was arrested this week on human trafficking and child porn charges after he allegedly paid three teenage girls to send him naked pictures of themselves.
Rick Hall, 34, of Wakefield - the owner of North Shore Recovery Management in Reading - was arraigned Thursday in Woburn District Court on charges of human trafficking of a child under 18, enticement of a child by electronic communication, posing a child in a state of nudity and possession of child pornography.
Bail was set at $100,000 cash, and Hall was ordered not to have contact with the victims, not to use the internet, not to work with or volunteer with anyone under the age of 18, and to surrender his passport.
Police said Hall had allegedly been communicating electronically with three 15-year-old girls who live out of state, and enticed them to exchange pornographic images of themselves in exchange for money.
Hall's social worker's license has been suspended by the Division of Professional Licensure pending an investigation and a hearing.
According to its website, North Shore Recovery Management helps manage substance abuse, psyciatric disorders and compulsive sexual behaviors, including the overuse of pornography and sex addiction. A message on the website says new patients are "not currently" being accepted.
"As a social worker, the defendant was mandated by statute to report any form of child abuse," Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said. "Instead, the defendant allegedly violated the ethical standards of his position by exploiting minors, and exchanged money for lewd photographs."
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Reading Police Chief James Cormier called the allegations "extremely troubling," and urged all parents to closely monitor their children's activities ont he internet, including their social media accounts.
Hall is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 5.
It was not clear whether or not Hall has an attorney.
