Former youth hockey coach arrested on child porn charges

April 24, 2015 2:04 pm

By News Staff

Reporting by Dana Griffin

A former youth hockey coach was arrested after using the internet to solicit underage kids for sex and possessing child pornography.

50-year-old Michael Defelice, of Cranston, was arrested by Rhode Island State Police on April 24th after investigation revealed he was using the internet to solicit minors to take part in sexual activity. It was also discovered that he was in possession of child pornography.

Defelice was a coach at the Cranston Street Hockey Rink from 1990 to 2003. He currently manages the deck hockey rink in Cranston is a referee for adult street hockey at Teamworks in Warwick.

Captain Christopher Dicomitis of the Rhode Island State Police says, “Fortunately enough, he doesn’t not have criminal history, but again, he was employed in various capacities in dealing with children as well as adults.”

Police say they discovered Defelice criminal activity while investigating the use of the internet to solicit underage kids for sex. They so not know whether there was any inappropriate conduct between Defelice and minors.

His current supervisors told police they were not aware of inappropriate behavior between Defelice and children.

Teamworks issues a statement saying that Mr. Defelice is not an employee of the establishment, but an “independent and outside referee” officiated at adult-only hockey games. He will not longer be permitted in any of the Teamworks facilities.

He is scheduled to be arraigned afternoon on April 24 at the Third Division District Court in Warwick.