PORTSMOUTH — A 56-year-old out-of-town man was arrested Monday, April 7, on a charge of indecent solicitation of a minor.

At about 6:33 a.m. on Monday, Michael Collins, of Harrisville, was taken into custody at his residence following an investigation by the Portsmouth Police Detective Division into a report of indecent solicitation of a juvenile.

Investigators developed information indicating that Collins had been soliciting inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old juvenile residing in Portsmouth, police said. 

During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained several items of “evidentiary value,” including online communications between Collins and the juvenile victim, according to police.

Based on the evidence, an arrest warrant was secured and the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force apprehended Collins without incident. He was subsequently transported to the Portsmouth Police Department for processing.

Collins was arraigned in 2nd Division District Court in Newport on the charge and released on $5,000 surety. As conditions of his bail, he is prohibited from having contact with minors and from using the internet, smartphones, or computers, police said.