Rhode Island man accused of sending inappropriate images and messages to 14-year-old

A local man is facing disturbing charges.

According to Major Michael Morse, on Thursday at just after 9:15 a.m., 36-year-old Nicholas Antoniou of Cranston, RI, was taken into custody following an investigation by the Portsmouth Police Detective Division into a report of electronically disseminating indecent material to a minor.

Investigators developed information indicating that Antoniou had been sending inappropriate images and messages to a 14-year-old juvenile in Portsmouth. During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained several items of evidentiary value, including online communication between Antoniou and the juvenile.

Based on the evidence obtained, an arrest warrant was issued, and Antoniou was taken into custody without incident by the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force in Cranston, RI. He was transported to the Portsmouth Police Department for processing. During the course of the investigation, files containing child pornography were also discovered on Antoniou’s electronic devices.

On Thursday, Antoniou was arraigned in the 2nd Division District Court on two counts of Electronically Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography.

Bail was set at $5,000 with surety. As conditions of his bail, he is prohibited from having contact with minors and from using the internet, smartphones, or computers.