Correctional Officer arrested on electronically disseminating indecent material to a minor charges

Scituate, R.I. – The Rhode Island State Police announce that members of the State Police Computer Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force have arrested a Department of Corrections, Correctional Officer for Electronically Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor.


According to police, Thomas P. Nolan, age 56, of Elmwood Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island was arrested for two counts of Electronically Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor. The arrest stemmed from an investigation by members of the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. An individual later identified as Nolan engaged in a series of communications with a person whom he believed to be a 14-year-old male. The conversation became sexually explicit and Nolan allegedly electronically disseminated indecent material to a person whom he believed to be a 14-year-old male.

Nolan was indicated on two charges of Electronically Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor and he was arrested this afternoon in Cranston. Mr. Nolan has been employed as a correctional officer with the Department of Corrections since February 1990.

Assistant Detective Commander Captain Robert Creamer stated, “At this time there is no evidence of any involvement with other minors, however we continue to investigate and ask that anyone with information regarding Nolan contact the Rhode Island State Police/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at (401) 921-1170.”

Nolan was arraigned on the charges at Third Division Superior Court this afternoon before the Honorable Magistrate John F. McBurney III and was released after being issued a bail of $50,000 personal recognizance with special bail conditions of no unsupervised contact with minors and limited internet use.

A person found guilty of Electronically Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor may be subject to a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or imprisoned not more than five years or both.