Barrington — A former teacher at Barrington Christian Academy who already faced state and federal allegations over inappropriate conduct with a student has been indicted on additional federal charges accusing him of sexually exploiting a different minor in 2011, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Rhode Island announced.
New federal indictment adds serious counts
Sean Cassidy, 53, of Pawtucket, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday, Sept. 2, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The new indictment includes counts of coercion and enticement of a minor; falsely presenting himself as a federal employee; two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor related to allegations of producing explicit images in 2011; and possession of child pornography.
Prosecutors said the allegations cover two separate incidents in 2011 in which a minor was allegedly compelled to create visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also charges Cassidy with knowingly possessing or accessing child pornography with the intent to view it through about June 1, 2026.
How the investigation unfolded
The wider probe into Cassidy’s conduct began after a parent raised concerns on May 29 about his relationship with a 14-year-old student at Barrington Christian Academy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. That report prompted action by the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and local law enforcement.
On June 1, members of the ICAC Task Force, working with Barrington police, arrested Cassidy on state charges of contributing to the delinquency of a child and procuring alcohol for underage persons, the Rhode Island State Police announced June 2. State investigators said their review indicated that incidents of what they described as
"inappropriate conduct" orchestrated by Cassidy happened off and on the grounds of Barrington Christian Academy
The new federal indictment extends the investigation’s timeline back to 2011 and adds federal criminal allegations separate from the state charges that prompted the June arrest.
Charges listed by prosecutors
- Coercion and enticement of a minor
- False impersonation of a federal employee
- Two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor
- Pleading or possessing child pornography (allegedly through June 1, 2026)
| Allegation | Number of Counts (per indictment) |
|---|---|
| Coercion and enticement of a minor | 1 |
| False impersonation of a federal employee | 1 |
| Sexual exploitation of a minor | 2 |
| Possession/access of child pornography (with intent to view) | 1 |
Community impact and school response
The charges have sent ripples through Barrington and the private school community. Barrington Christian Academy, located at 9 Old County Road, is a K-12 college-preparatory institution. State police previously said alleged inappropriate conduct occurred both on and off the school’s property, though officials have not disclosed further details about victims or the scope of the conduct, citing the ongoing investigation.
Federal prosecutors handle crimes that cross state lines, involve interstate communications, or fall under specific statutes designed to protect children. The addition of federal charges raises the potential for a separate prosecution track from any state-level case against Cassidy.
Legal next steps and public safety information
Cassidy’s indictment follows return by a federal grand jury; an indictment is an accusation and not proof of guilt. If convicted, the charges carry significant potential penalties under federal law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not provide a schedule for Cassidy’s arraignment or upcoming court dates in its announcement.
Authorities encourage parents, guardians and community members who may have information related to the investigation to contact their local police department or the Rhode Island ICAC Task Force. Victims or those in need of support are urged to reach out to victim services in their community for counseling and legal assistance.
Ongoing coverage
State and federal law enforcement agencies continue to investigate. WE NEWS will follow developments in both the federal case and any parallel state proceedings and report further details as court filings and official statements become available.
Priya Nair is WE NEWS’ state correspondent covering criminal justice and public safety across Rhode Island.
