RI man arrested on child pornography, narcotics and firearms charges Tuesday

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M. Barry, Acting Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Acting Director of the Department of Public Safety, announces the arrest of a Pawtucket man on child pornography, narcotics and firearms charges.

The suspect, identified as Joseph M. Korkuc, age 37, of 10 Oneida St., Pawtucket, is charged with:

Possession of Child Pornography
Transfer of Child Pornography
Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heroin)
Possession with the Intent to Deliver Alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax)
Possession of a Firearm while Intending to Deliver a Controlled Substance

The arrest stemmed from an investigation by members of the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force into allegations that an individual was sharing child pornography over the internet. The internet connection was traced to 10 Oneida St., Pawtucket.

Earlier today, ICAC Task Force members executed a search warrant at that address and identified Mr. Korkuc as the owner of digital media that allegedly was used to possess and transfer child pornography.

Task Force members also seized a handgun and ammunition; $1,400 in U.S. currency; 2,401 pills of Alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax); and a small amount of heroin.

Mr. Korkuc was arrested and arraigned this morning in Sixth Division District Court, where Associate Judge Isherwood set $30,000.00 surety bail with special bail conditions of no contact with minors and limited internet use.

The Rhode Island 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, Newport Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Bristol Police Department, North Kingstown Police Department, Woonsocket Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.