WARWICK -- An assistant principal at Bishop Hendricken High School
pleaded not guilty this morning to a charge of indecent solicitation of
a minor over the Internet.
Timothy Sheldon, 39, was arrested on a warrant at about 7 o'clock this
morning at his parents' Seekonk, Mass., home, and brought to Taunton
District Court, where he waived extradition to Rhode Island.
He was then brought to Kent County Superior Court for arraignment on the
charge, where he entered his plea and was released on $10,000 personal
recognizance. Bail conditions also prohibit his use of the Internet.
The attorney general's office alleges that Sheldon solicited a person he
believed was under 18 in an online chatroom.
Sheldon's prosecution represents the first under a new state law passed
in August regarding solicitation of minors over the Interent.
His arrest resulted from a joint investigation between Warwick Police
and Rhode Island State Police.
Sheldon had been placed on paid administrative leave from the school
last month because of allegations of a "breach of professional conduct,"
Brother Thomas R. Leto, school president, said at that time.
The action was taken, Brother Leto said then, after he had been made
aware that Sheldon may have taken some inappropriate actions on the
Internet.
Brother Leto said that he and the school principal were directed to a
Web site, where they saw Sheldon's picture. They decided to immediately
place him on leave.
School officials then contacted the Diocese of Providence, who referred
the matter to the state police. Bishop Hendricken High School, an
all-male Catholic school run by the Christian Brothers, is affiliated
with the diocese.
Sheldon had been at Hendricken for 13 years, first as a teacher, then as
an administrator, most recently as assistant principal for student life.
Today, Brother Leto said Sheldon remained on paid administrative leave.
But he indicated that the school would be reviewing the situation over
the next couple of weeks with the goal of making a decision "in the best
interests" of the students.
"We just want to make sure the boys are safe and secure in the school, "
he said.
Sheldon declined comment as he left the court today.
-- With reports from Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz, projo.com
staff writer Jack Perry and The Associated Press
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