STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A pro wrestler by day. An alleged child porn collector by night.

James "Rude Boy" Riley, 25, was arrested Wednesday morning after a search warrant conducted by police at his family's Arden Heights home yielded images of children under the age of 16 engaging in sexual acts, according to an NYPD spokesman.

He was charged with 10 counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child and 20 counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child, court records show.

The muscular, 6-foot-1, 208-pound independent wrestler competes with Warriors of Wrestling and Five Borough Wrestling, according to a bio on the defendant's personal website.

Investigators allege that in 2014, Riley uploaded nine photographs of children engaging in sexual acts to his Google account, according to the criminal complaint. Then, in 2016, he uploaded a similar photograph to his tumblr account, authorities allege.

During the search of his home Wednesday for child pornography, Riley told police there were images on his iPhone, according to court documents.

Warriors of Wrestling owner Joe Bellini said he was shocked to hear the news.

"I feel like my heart was ripped out," he said. "We're going to distance ourselves from him totally."

Bellini said he's known Riley for 10 years as a friend and as a wrestler with his organization. He described Riley as a single guy, who was excellent performer in the ring and would always stay after at charity events to sign autographs for kids in attendance.

He said there never was any indication Riley might be engaged in the criminal acts described by police.

Riley also works at Orangetheory Fitness in New Springville. He most recently taught a class Tuesday morning, a member of the gym said.

Like other trainers at the gym, he teaches a high-intensity workout class that includes treadmill, rowing and floor/weights.



"He is a nice guy, knowledgeable about the workouts, and has a high-energy personality," said one gym member, who was shocked to hear about the arrest.



According to the member, who wished to remain anonymous, Riley taught classes multiple days a week.



A spokesman for Orangetheory issued the following statement:

A promotional bio on Riley's website describes his "high energy, platinum-blonde bun and tattoos honoring his mom and grandfather."

Riley apparently tried out recently for WWE, based on a photo posted to the organization's website. His chances of making the big time apparently have taken a hit.

Within three hours of the arrest going public, organizers of multiple wrestling organizations pulled Riley from upcoming events.

Due to circumstances James Rudeboy Riley is being pulled from this weeks events. This is only statement we have concerning it. — PunkProWrestling (@PunkProWrestlin) March 29, 2017

The house searched by police on the 800 block of Katan Avenue was shared by Riley and his mother, police said.

Bellini said he knows Riley's mother, which made the news Wednesday even harder to bare.

"It feels like I lost a family member," he said.