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Rhode Island State Police arrest 13 suspects in child exploitation investigation


Rhode Island State Police said they arrested 13 people accused of soliciting children for sex. (Rhode Island State Police photos)
Rhode Island State Police said they arrested 13 people accused of soliciting children for sex. (Rhode Island State Police photos)
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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.

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