Rhode Island man charged by Somerset Police and arrested 3 times in less than a month for alleged crimes against minors facing new federal complaint

PROVIDENCE – Authorities say that a local man is facing more charges. This time on the federal level.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Justice, on Tuesday, a federal criminal complaint was filed charging 33–year-old Michael Gallo of Cranston, in connection with an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Somerset, Massachusetts Police Department. Gallo is charged with two counts of production of child sexual abuse material, three counts of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, one count of interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct, and one count of receipt of CSAM.

 According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, an HSI Special Agent assigned to the ICAC Task Force alleges that between June 2025 and March 2026, Gallo used online communications platforms to attempt to entice multiple minors. The affidavit further alleges that Gallo traveled from Rhode Island to Massachusetts with the intent to engage in illicit conduct with a minor, and that he produced and received CSAM involving multiple minor victims. The affidavit describes separate periods of alleged conduct involving three minor victims.

Gallo was taken into custody and is currently being held pending further court proceedings.

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.

On Friday April 3rd, Gallo was arrested for a third time and, according to court records, was held without bail at his newest arraignment.

WJAR 10 stated through Rhode Island State Police that Gallo violated the terms of his release concerning the Somerset incident by allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old-girl multiple times after his arrest.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lee Vilker.

The investigation was conducted by HSI Providence, with assistance from the Rhode Island ICAC Task Force, the Somerset, Massachusetts Police Department, and additional law enforcement partners.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.