An East Providence resident was among a half-dozen charged in Third Division District Court in Warwick with crimes related to targeting children for sex, stemming from a joint investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations the Warwick Police Department, the Rhode Island State Police and the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General.

On April 4 and April 5, members of the Warwick Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children arrested six defendants following an undercover operation aimed at identifying those utilizing websites and online platforms to meet and engage with minors for sexual activity.

“The results of this highly effective joint operation send a swift and clear message: those who wish to exploit and endanger children will be met by a powerful coalition of law enforcement partners to prevent that from happening,” said Attorney General Peter Neronha. “I want to thank the investigative team from my Office, the Warwick Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Rhode Island State Police, and all the law enforcement organizations that played key roles in this operation’s success.”

Investigators placed decoy advertisements on websites known to be associated with prostitution and commercial sex. It is alleged that the defendants responded to a location in Warwick intending to engage in sexual activity with a minor.

As a result of the operation, the following individuals were charged:

Abudulganiyu O. Adeboye (Case number: 32-2024-02227, age 29) of East Providence is charged with one count of patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity and one count of indecent solicitation of a child.

Luis J. Chacon (32-2024-02219, 30) of West Warwick is charged with one count of patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity and one count of indecent solicitation of a child.

Randy M. Joslin III (32-2024-02220, 27) of Charlestown is charged with one count of patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity and one count of indecent solicitation of a child.

Robert A. Petit (32-2024-02266, 58) of Voluntown, Conn. is charged with one count of patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity and one count of indecent solicitation of a child.

Davon J. Bess (32-2024-02277, 33) of Central Falls is charged with one count of indecent solicitation of a child and one count of resisting arrest.

Paul Taylor (32-2024-02271, 68) of Holland, Mass. is charged with one count of indecent solicitation of a child.

“Crimes against children are some of the most serious and devastating incidents we encounter,” said State Police Colonel Darnell S. Weaver. “I want to thank the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children, the Office of the Attorney General, HSI New England, and the whole team who successfully executed this operation to help effectively prevent and deter these terrible crimes.”

The investigation was led by HSI New England Field Office for Rhode Island, the Warwick Police Department, the Rhode Island State Police, and the Office of the Attorney General and assisted by the Portsmouth Police Department, Providence Police Department, East Providence Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) New England, and the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

“Today’s charges allege that these individuals sought out and planned to pay to sexually abuse children,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for HSI in New England. “To root out predators and to protect our most precious children, HSI continually shares our expertise investigating child sex trafficking with our partners, both domestic and foreign.”

It should be noted an indictment, information or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.