Newport Man Charged with Child Porn Possession, Transfer

A 32-year-old Newport man is facing charges of possession and transfer of child pornography after a Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation.

State Police Superintendent Col. Steven G. O’Donnell said that Stephen-Lawrence Ellis, 32, of 20 Reliance Row, Newport, was arrested after an investigation of an individual who was trading images and videos of child pornography on the internet.

The investigation led police to 20 Reliance Row, where police were able to identify the source of the shared images and videos.

ICAC Task Force members executed a search warrant at the house and found child pornography on digital media, police said belonged to Ellis.

Ellis was arraigned in Second Division District Court in Newport and was released on $25,000 surety bail with special conditions to not use the Internet or have any contact with children.

He is due to return to court on Jan. 8 for a prearraignment conference.

A conviction could result in a $5,000 fine or five years in prison for the possession of child pornography charge. Conviction of transferring child porn could lead to another $5,000 fine and up to 15 years in prison.