Niagara hockey coach facing child pornography charges

A Niagara-area man who coaches hockey is facing child pornography-related charges.

Niagara police say that last month, Internet Child Exploitation Unit detectives launched an investigation into an unknown person who was allegedly holding and accessing child pornography in their cloud storage.

On Oct. 16, officers executed a search warrant at a home in Welland and seized “numerous devices capable of storing electronic data.”

Police say Patrick F. Paone, 49, was located at the residence and charged with possession of child pornography and accessing child pornography.

The accused was held in custody after his arrest and is set to appear for a bail hearing today.

Police say the accused coaches minor hockey within the Niagara Region.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact them at (905) 688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009172.