Former Men’s Volleyball Coach Arrested, Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

Richard Kelly, 49, of Hyde Park, former coach of the men’s club volleyball team at Marist College, was arrested. New York State Police charged Kelly with two felonies: second-degree possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child and second-degree unlawful surveillance. The former Marist coach was taken into custody on Friday, July 17. 

Police worked with the Troop K Computer Crimes Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to accuse Kelly of possessing images “consistent with child sexual exploitation” and capturing unsolicited images of unknowing victims, police said.

Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child And Unlawful Surveillance are both class E felonies. Mid Hudson News reported that Marist was informed by the State Police that a former men’s club volleyball coach has been arrested for these offences.

"The college unequivocally condemns these acts and is fully cooperating with the state police in their investigation of this matter," the statement read, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. 

Kelly had become the head coach for the men’s volleyball team in 2014. The Circle reached out to a number of current and former team members who declined to comment. 

According to a press release from the New York State Police, Kelly’s investigation started with a cyber tip received by the New State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information regarding possible crimes or suspicious activity committed by Kelly is encouraged to contact the New York State Police at (845) 677-7300.

Kelly was issued appearance tickets for the town of Hyde Park Court for Aug. 4 and the town of Poughkeepsie on Aug. 18.