Three Indicted, Arraigned on Child Pornography Charge

PROVIDENCE – Three Rhode Island men were arrested by FBI agents and arraigned today in federal court on a child pornography charge contained in indictments unsealed in U.S. District Court, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.

Scott P. Hickey, 40, of Coventry, Robert H. Gillissie, 45, of Warwick, and John A. Amaral, 26, of Providence, were arraigned before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and released on unsecured bond.

Each is charged with possession and access with intent to view child pornography.

It is alleged that each defendant possessed child pornography accessed through an online bulletin board and web site. The defendants were charged as part of an ongoing FBI investigation.

Possession and access with intent to view child pornography is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment, 3 years to lifetime supervised release, and a special assessment of $5,000.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.