FBI arrest RI man for transferring obscene images of himself

PROVIDENCE – A North Kingstown man made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on Wednesday, arrested by members of the Providence FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force on a federal criminal complaint charging him with transfer of obscene material to a person under sixteen.

It is alleged that Neil Streich, 57, transferred obscene images of himself to a person he believed to be a 10-year-old girl.

It is alleged in court documents that for approximately three months Streich communicated online with an individual he believed to be a 10-year-old girl from Pennsylvania. During those communications he requested that the girl provide him with images to show that she was, in fact, a 10-year-old girl as she described to him. Three days after receiving a non-sexually explicit image from the purported 10-year-old, it is alleged that Streich began transmitting obscene images of himself to the girl.

The person Streich allegedly communicated with was, in fact, an undercover FBI Special Agent.

At the time of Streich’s arrest, FBI agents, with the assistance of North Kingstown Police and the United States Marshals Service, executed a court-authorized search of Streich’s residence and seized electronic devices allegedly owned by Streich. A preliminary forensic examination of the devices alleged revealed the online application and username used by Streich to communicate with the purported 10-year-old girl.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Streich appeared on Wednesday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan and was released on unsecured bond.

Neil Streich’s arrest and initial appearance is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. McAdams.