Rhode Island man arrested by Somerset Police earlier this month, granted bail after second arrest by State Police for alleged crimes against children

The Rhode Island State Police today announced that on Friday, members of the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested 33-year-old Michael Gallo of Canonchet Trail, Cranston, for the following offenses: third degree sexual assault (7 counts), production of child pornography (2 counts), transfer of child pornography, indecent solicitation of a child, and electronically disseminating indecent material to minors prohibited.

On March 8, 2026, Gallo was arrested by the Somerset Police Department for distributing obscene material to a minor, enticement of a child under 16 (two counts), and accosting/annoying another person. Examination of digital media seized during that arrest identified potential juvenile victims in Rhode Island. Based on information provided by the Somerset Police, members of the RI ICAC Task Force initiated an investigation to identify victims. As a result of this investigation, Task Force members positively identified a local juvenile victim. On Friday, March 27, 2026, the RI ICAC Task Force executed a court-authorized search warrant at Gallo’s residence, seizing his digital media, as well as physical evidence, including his motor vehicle.

On March 30, 2026, Gallo was arraigned at Third Division District Court before the Honorable District Court Magistrate Joseph Ippolito and held at the Adult Correctional Institutions on $50,000 surety bail. Gallo was assigned a future court date and ordered not to have contact with minors, as well as restricted internet access.

Members of the RI ICAC Task Force continue to collaborate with the Somerset Police to identify additional victims. As this investigation continues, authorities ask that anyone with pertinent information regarding Gallo contact the Rhode Island State Police/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at (401) 921‑1170.

The Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force actively engages in investigative efforts to identify subjects involved in child‑exploitation-related activities. The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force Program is administered by the Rhode Island State Police and supports a national network of multi-agency, multi‑jurisdictional task forces engaged in investigations, forensic examinations, and prosecutions related to internet crimes against children and technology‑facilitated child sexual exploitation. The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit, along with detectives from the Warwick Police Department, Cranston Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Middletown Police Department, Johnston Police Department, Narragansett Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.