On November 13, 2009, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (RIICAC) arrested Michael J. Pappas, age 37, of 1890 Broad Street, Apartment 220, Cranston, Rhode Island, for Possession of Child Pornography. The arrest was the result of a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and follow up investigation by unit detectives.

During the month of October 2009, the Computer Crimes Unit received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This cybertip detailed a chat conversation where a male advised that he was attracted to his 16-year-old stepdaughter.

An investigation was initiated, and the Computer Crimes Unit obtained subscriber information regarding the subject responsible for the chat. The subscriber was identified as Michael Pappas of 1890 Broad Street, Apt. #202, Cranston, Rhode Island.

On November 4, 2009, unit detectives conducted an interview with Mr. Pappas, who confirmed that he was in fact the individual using the screen name and admitted to making the comment regarding being attracted to his 16-year-old stepdaughter. The suspect further advised that he does not have a stepdaughter and was fantasizing on the Internet.
Rhode Island State Police
Press Release

CRANSTON RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Page 2


Detectives then obtained written and verbal consent to conduct a forensic preview of computers and digital media located within his residence. During this preview, several child-modeling pictures were observed. Detectives then obtained consent from the suspect to take two computers for further analysis.

On November 10, 2009, Detectives conducted further analysis of a computer taken from the residence and positively identified videos that depicted child pornography.

The Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (RIICAC) Task Force is a Department of Justice, grant-funded program administered by the Rhode Island State Police Detective Bureau and comprised of five (5) State Police Detectives, a Detective from the Providence Police Department, West Warwick Police Department, and Coventry Police Department and an agent from Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). The objective of the RIICAC is to form strong working relationships among local, state and federal law enforcement in order to effectively and efficiently prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute online child exploitation and child pornography crimes.

Mr. Pappas was arraigned in 3rd Division District Court, Warwick before Judge LaFazia and released on $20,000 bail with special conditions. His next scheduled court appearance is on January 22, 2010 for felony screening.

The penalties for conviction on the above offense range from no more than five (5) years in prison and not exceeding a fine of $5,000 dollars or both.

-From the Rhode Island State Police