NAHS Wrestling Coach Arrested for Child Porn

varsity wrestling Coach David Castricone, 60, was arrested Monday for possession of childhood pornography.

"On late Wednesday, we got a call from the administration at the School Department and the high school," Police Det. Sean Daley said, not giving details about that conversation or what the administration specifically told police. "We started an investigation. Friday night, we executed a search warrant at Mr. Castricone's home."

Police gathered evidence at Catricone's home -- although Daley would not say what that evidence consisted of because the matter was still under investigation -- and Monday morning they arrested Castricone at his roofing business for possession of child pornography.

Castricone is being held at the North Andover Police Headquarters and is scheduled to be arraigned in Lawrence District Court Tuesday.

Superintendent Chris Hottel would not comment directly about the case or about the administration's role in the investigation, but he released a statement Friday afternoon announcing Castricone's resignation as coach for personal reasons and aknowledging the arrest.

"We are aware that a police investigation is being conducted and that an arrest has been made," Hottel said. "As with any police investigation, the School Department is cooperating, and will continue to cooperate, with local law enforcement."

The timing of this arrest puts additional impact on the varsity wrestling team, which is slated to compete for the state title on Wednesday. Castricone was noticeably absent from last week's semifinals match, and at the time all that was said was that it was due to a personal matter. Assistant Coach Carl Cincotta, who has been leading the team over the past week, will be in charge of the team for the rest of the season.

"The School Department will be particularly cognizant of the impact this resignation may have on the members of the wrestling team and we will continue to support them in their upcoming matches," Hottel said.

Castricone was a coach at North Andover High School for the past 25 years. He has a business on Sutton Street,