Crime & Safety

Youth Sports Community Surprised by Coach's Bath Salts Arrest

The head of Cranston League for Cranston's Future said the bath salts-related arrest of a coach shouldn't be "seen as an indictment" of the valuable youth sports organization.

The head of Cranston League for Cranston's Future said the felony arrest of former board member and coach Glen Lonardo for allegedly giving bath salts to a West Warwick detective was an unexpected surprise considering Lonardo's reputation as a member of the CLCF community.

Jim Dillon, president of CLCF, said in an interview that "you don't expect something like this, but we certainly hope the legal system takes its course and justice is served, whatever that might be."

Dillon said Lonardo has been a valuable member of the CLCF community for about 15 years and "has never had any kinds of problems with the kids or parents or anything."

"We've never had a complaint about his performance in our organization," Dillon said. "He does an incredible amount of public service with his position. He put in many hours as a volunteer both coaching as well as organizing the league.

"We feel bad we won't have him working with us."

Lonardo officially resigned from his membership on CLCF's board as well as his chairmanship of CLCF Girls Softball on Friday "to pursue his personal legal issues," Dillon said. 

Lonardo had previously served as football sports chair for the CLCF Chiefs for the last four years and was no longer serving in that role at the end of the season. He became softball chair this year. 

"I hope people will see this for what it is — it shouldn't be seen as an indictment of CLCF in any way shape or form," Dillon said. "We've been providing quality youth sports groups for years and will continue to do that. We never had any complaints about sports chairs or coaches that led to any kind of discipline."

"I feel for Glen and his family and hope that when this is all said and done it's a positive outcome for them," Dillon said.

Lonardo is also the owner of X-Citement Video on Quaker Lane in West Warwick.

Court records show Lonardo allegedly delivered synthetic cathinones — a schedule I controlled substance — to a West Warwick detective on Jan. 17. The drug, identified as Alpha-PVP, is one of several variants of what more commonly is referred to as bath salts.

Lonardo was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver on Jan. 18 and was initially ordered held without bail. He was released on Jan. 21 on $25,000 surety bail after entering no plea to the charges, which is customary for felony arraignments in District Court. 

He is due to reappear in court on April 14 for for an Attorney General conference.

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