Elementary School Custodian From Coventry Faces Child Porn Charge

COVENTRY, RI — A Coventry man who worked as a custodian at a Hopkinton elementary school and at the North Kingstown Free Library was arrested after Rhode Island State Police said he was caught with child porn.

Ronald Plante, 53, was charged with one count of possession of child pornography, state police said Thursday.

According to state police, investigators discovered downloaded child pornography through Plante's internet connection. On Feb. 7, state troopers searched Plante's home and identified him as the owner of the child pornography, state police said.

Accompanied by legal counsel, Plante turned himself in to state police on Thursday.

Plante was arraigned at Third Division District Court in Warwick by and was released, with bail set at $20,000 He was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with children.

For about 15 years, Plante has been employed as a custodian for the Chariho Regional School District. For the duration of his employment, Plante has worked at Hope Valley Elementary School.

Also, for the last 10 years, Plante has worked as a custodian at the North Kingstown Free Library. As of Thursday night, there is no evidence of any inappropriate involvement with students or library patrons, state police said.

Anyone with information about Plante is asked to call Rhode Island State Police at 401-921-1170.