A Warren Little League coach and former East Bay Warriors Pop Warner football coach was arrested early Tuesday and charged with possession of child pornography.

Rhode Island State Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of Michael “Bird” Witherell, 59, of 336 Child St., Apt. 2. In a press release, state police said he was arrested after the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, reporting that a Rhode Island resident was transmitting files that contained child pornography. A subsequent investigation traced those transfers to his apartment.

Armed with a search warrant, task force members arrested Mr. Witherell early Tuesday, seizing his cell phone, computer, and “numerous” printed images depicting child pornography. His devices will be examined forensically, police said.

Mr. Witherell has coached youth baseball in the Warren Little League program for 40 years,and also coached for the Warriors from 1982 to 2014. 

"This investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information regarding Mr. Witherell is encouraged to contact the Rhode Island State Police/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at (401) 921-1170,” said Detective Commander Major Timothy G. Sanzi of the Rhode Island State Police.

Mr. Witherell was due to be arraigned on the charges in Sixth Division District Court Tuesday afternoon. If convicted, he is subject to a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment of no more than five years, or both.