For the second time in as many weeks, a Rochester man has been arrested for allegedly possessing child pornography. Edmond T. Michaud, 41, was arrested on Feb. 9 and faces a class A felony charge of possession of child sexual abuse images, and a class A misdemeanor charge of certain uses of a computer prohibited. A week earlier, Rochester resident David Earle Barker, 38, was arrested on identical charges.

 Both arrests were reported by the N.H. Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is commanded by Portsmouth Det. Corey MacDonald. The Portsmouth Police Department serves as the force’s host agency. 

In an effort to crack down on Internet crimes against children, the force recently appointed a Case Review Committee, which will provide policy guidance to the task force and make recommendations regarding prosecution and sentencing in state and federal cases.

Members of the volunteer committee include local law enforcers MacDonald, Portsmouth Det. Michael Leclair, Portsmouth Police Chief David Ferland, and Rochester Police Chief David DuBois. Also on the committee are U.S. attorney for the District of New Hampshire John Kacavas, N.H. attorney general Michael Delaney, State Police Colonel Robert Quinn, and Carroll County Sheriff Christopher Conley. 

In a press release, MacDonald said he hopes the committee will help raise public awareness about Internet offenses and efforts to combat them. He said increased awareness should serve as a deterrent to such crimes.

In 2010, the N.H. Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated more than 180 cases involving the possession, manufacture or distribution of child sexual abuse images. The Case Review Committee was established in January.