St. Michael School’s Statement to Parents Regarding Arrest of Former Faculty Member for Child Porn

St. Michael School’s Statement to Parents Regarding Arrest of Former Faculty Member for Child Porn

The head of Newport prep school St. Michael's, James Heus, issued a letter to parents after a former faculty member was arrested by the Rhode Island State Police on Friday for allegedly possessing child porn.

Thomas Gallagher, 75, was charged with possession of child pornography after the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force obtained an arrest warrant based on evidence obtained during an ICAC investigation.

Gallagher was arraigned at Second Division District Court and released on $50,000 personal recognizance with special bail conditions of no internet access and no contact with minors.

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The Investigation

For approximately the past fifteen years, Gallagher has been employed as a tennis instructor at the Spouting Rock Beach Association, also known as Bailey’s Beach Club.

From 1997 until 2004, Gallagher was a substitute teacher and part-time youth tennis coach at Saint Michael’s Country Day School in Newport.

Gallagher was previously employed as a youth tennis coach for the Newport Recreation Department.

Letter from Heus to parents reads:

March 8, 2019

Dear St. Michael’s Country Day School Community:

I was notified today by the Newport Police Department that the State Police have arrested Thomas Gallagher, a former St. Michael’s part-time substitute teacher and coach on charges of possessing child pornography. This individual last worked at St. Michael’s in 2004. We are not aware of any complaints regarding his conduct while he was at St. Michael’s, but will be taking steps to investigate his tenure here. We are cooperating fully with the police, and are grateful that they contacted me with this information. We understand that he has been arraigned, and released on bail. Special conditions of his bail are that he not be in any contact with minors and that he not access the internet.

Our primary mission is assuring the safety of your children. We have in place appropriate policies and procedures related to hiring, monitoring, and reporting of suspected instances of sexual misconduct, but are taking this opportunity to have those policies and procedures reviewed and revised where appropriate to ensure that the School is doing everything possible to protect the students currently entrusted to us. St. Michael’s has a long tradition of being inclusive and open to all voices, and we stand on that strong foundation as we promise to remain in touch with you about this important subject. We hope that everyone who receives this letter will feel comfortable contributing to this dialogue.

Thank you for your continued support of St. Michael’s and its mission.

James P. Heus Head of School