SCITUATE, R.I. (WJAR) — Rhode Island State Police said Thursday that they arrested 13 men accused of looking to have sex with children.
The 13 suspects face charges of indecent solicitation of a minor and other counts. The investigation was dubbed Operation Guardian.
The men were arrested between Friday and Sunday.
State police said they used social media apps and other online sites to trick the men into thinking they were talking with boys and girls 13 to 15 years old. They said the men would make arrangements to meet for sex, but instead a trooper was waiting for them.
"This type of operation demonstrates how dangerous social media is to our youth. Child predators are constantly looking for juveniles to exploit and prey upon. Parents must remain vigilant in communicating with their children and monitoring their child's social media platforms," Col. James Manni, superintendent of the state police, said.
State police listed the defendants and charges:
Jose Carrion, 41, of Attleboro, Mass.: indecent solicitation of a child, possession of cocaine
Kevin Cooney, 27, of Bellingham, Mass.: indecent solicitation of a child, electronically disseminating indecent material to a minor
Tomy Fitton, 39, of Pawtucket: indecent solicitation of a child, electronically disseminating indecent material to a minor (5 counts)
Anthony Gomes, 31, Brockton, Mass.: indecent solicitation of a child, electronically disseminating indecent material to a minor
Michael Johnson, 50, Templeton, Mass.: indecent solicitation of a child, electronically disseminating indecent material to a minor
James Jolly, 41, of Middleborough, Mass.: indecent solicitation of a child
Paul Kimata, 41, of Brockton, Mass.: indecent solicitation of a child
David King, 37, of Westerly: indecent solicitation of a child, electronically disseminating indecent material to a minor
Yuhua Kong, 29, of Providence: indecent solicitation of a child
Stephen Lomastro, 57, of Warwick: indecent solicitation of a child
Muhammad Malik, 44, of East Greenwich: indecent solicitation of a child
Emmett Manna, 37, of Providence: indecent solicitation of a child
Manna Mahuri, 41, of North Kingstown: indecent solicitation of a child
Carrion, Cooney, Gomes, Johnson, Jolly, Kimata, King, Kong, Lomastro, Malik, Manna and Mahuri were arraigned Wednesday. Fitton appeared in court on Monday.
A judge set bail for Carrion and Fitton. The rest were released on recognizance.