Police/Fire

Police make arrest following investigation into Barnes Air National Guard member

Jason Venne, from the Chicopee Police Department Facebook page.

WESTFIELD/CHICOPEE—According to Chicopee Police, an arrest has been made following an investigation into a Barnes Air National Guard member, with charges filed including possession of child pornography.

Chicopee Police have arrested Jason Venne, 35, of Chicopee, following an investigation prompted by discs of photographs that were turned over to their department, according to Chicopee Police Chief Information Officer Michael Wilk via a post made on Facebook. Venne was arrested and charged with four counts electronic secret surveillance video/photo, two counts possession of child pornography and two counts pose/exhibit child in nude/lascivious pose.

According to the post, the discs had allegedly shown “several explicit photos of females who were recorded without their knowledge.” The post also stated that the pictures allegedly appeared to be from a residence in Chicopee, as well as in locker rooms at the Air National Guard at Barnes.

According to the post, police also searched the aforementioned Chicopee residence as part of the case. According to Wilk, this was the home of Venne.

State Police also assisted in the investigation.

The post also stated that “This case is still an ongoing investigation based on evidence seized during the search warrant.”

Venne was arraigned in Chicopee District Court Friday, with bail set at $10,000 cash, according to the Hampden County District Attorney.

According to a statement provided by the Barnes Air National Guard, Venne has been a member of the Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing since 2002.

“We were made aware that he was under investigation by the Chicopee Police Department in late November and have been fully cooperating since that time. We take these charges very seriously and are taking the appropriate actions,” the statement read.

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