RI Health Official Facing Child Porn Charges

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Rhode Island State Police arrested an official with the Rhode Island Department of Health after they said he was caught with child pornography.

Jeffrey Hill, 46, of Wakefield, was charged with possession of child pornography and child erotica prohibited.

Hill is listed on the state health department's website as a point person for the VIolence and Injury Prevention Program. The program focuses on child harm prevention stemming from child abuse, neglect, sexual violence, suicide and more.

State Police said Hill's arrest stemmed from an investigation into someone uploading child pornography to an email server. Investigators identified Hill's IP address and then got a search warrant for his home, according to police.

Hill was arraigned in Fourth Division District Court in South Kingstown and was held on $5,000 surety, which he posted. Under his bail terms, Hill cannot have any contact with children and has restricted internet use.

If found guilty, Hill faces up to six years in prison and a potential $6,000 fine.