NORTHAMPTON — A 37-year-old Easthampton man, accused of taking nude photos of a girl he knows and sharing them via email and social media, was released from jail Tuesday after posting $10,000 cash bail.
In September, James J. Smith, of 53 Holyoke St. pleaded not guilty in Hampshire Superior Court to 11 counts of distributing child pornography, three counts of possessing child pornography and one count of posing a child in the nude. The crimes allegedly occurred between October 2013 and January 2015.
Multiple motions to lower Smith’s bail from $15,000 to $10,000 were rejected earlier this year because the man could not say for certain that he’d have a job right away, court records show.
Judge Mary-Lou Rup allowed Smith’s bail to be reduced Tuesday, however, after defense attorney Rachel Weber assured her he would have full-time work at either a landscaping service or restaurant upon release and that both employers were aware of his charges.
Following his release, Smith will live with his mother in Florence, he told the judge. He’ll also be required to wear a GPS device.
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.