State Police Arrest Providence Man on Child Porn, Narcotics Possession Charges

PROVIDENCE  — A Providence man was arrested today for a third time for possession of child pornography – while he was on probation from prior convictions — by by the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Matthew Viano, 35, of 100 Chapin Ave., Apt. 2, Providence, was arrested after an investigation by the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force regarding an individual sharing child pornography over the internet, according to Col. James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

Viano was identified as the suspect, and a warrant was obtained for his arrest. Members of the ICAC Task Force, accompanied by Probation and Parole officers from the Department of Corrections, responded to Mr. Viano’s home earlier today and arrested him there. During the arrest, Task Force members also seized suspected methamphetamine and Xanax.

As a result of his arrest, State Police report, Viano was charged with:

•  Possession of Child Pornography

•  Possession of Controlled Substance, Schedule I, II, III (methamphetamine)

•  Possession of Controlled Substance, Schedule I, II, III, IV (alprazolam – commonly known as Xanax)

Viano also has an extensive criminal history that includes two prior convictions for possession of child pornography, stemming from arrests in 2014 and 2016; twice failing to register as a sex offender; and numerous narcotics charges, according to State Police.

Viano was scheduled for arraignment today in Sixth Division District Court as a result of today’s arrest. He also will be presented in Superior Court for allegedly violating the terms of his probation from several previous convictions.

Possession of child pornography is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine up $5,000. Possession of methamphetamine is a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine up to $100,000 but no less than $3,000. Possession of alprazolam is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine up $40,000.

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.