Bristol County YMCA camp counselor facing Child Pornography charge, released on bail

The Rhode Island State Police today announced that on Wednesday, members of the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested 19-year-old Ryan Minasian of Pawtucket for one count of Possession of Child Pornography.

ICAC Task Force members recently initiated an investigation regarding an individual sharing files of child pornography over the internet. The internet connection on Makin Street, Pawtucket was identified as allegedly facilitating the transfer of these files. Members of the ICAC Task Force executed a court-authorized search warrant at Minasian’s residence. Subsequently, Minasian was identified as the owner of the digital media that contained files of child pornography.

Minasian was arraigned at Sixth Division District Court by Judge Stephen Isherwood and released on $2,500 surety bail. Minasian was assigned a future court date and ordered not to have unsupervised contact with minors, as well as restricted internet access.

Minasian has been seasonally employed this summer as a camp counselor at the Newman YMCA, located at 472 Taunton Avenue, Seekonk, Massachusetts. At this time, there is no evidence of any inappropriate involvement with campers. As the investigation continues, police ask that anyone with pertinent information regarding Minasian contact the Rhode Island State Police/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at (401) 921-1170.

The Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) 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, Portsmouth Police Department, Bristol Police Department, Middletown Police Department, and Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations.