On January 29, Cranston, Rhode Island Police Detectives orchestrated a sting operation targeting the “demand side” of prostitution. Posing as prostitutes, Detectives placed an advertisement on backpage.com, a website known for promoting escort services. During the course of the investigation, Detectives arrested and charged thirteen men from Rhode Island and Massachusetts with procurement of sex for a fee.
Over the past year, these stings have become more frequent, as cities and towns throughout Rhode Island have renewed their focus on combating prostitution and sex trafficking. Several of the recent prostitution stings in Rhode Island have begun on backpage.com. Officers place ads on the website in the adult entertainment section posing as escorts, offering to meet men for sexual rendezvous at local hotels. When the men arrive, they are met instead by undercover officers posing as prostitutes. Once the men offer money in exchange for sex, they are arrested and charged with procurement of sex for a fee.
Charged as a misdemeanor, procurement of sex for a fee carries a penalty of up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. In prior stings, many of the men charged with procurement of sex for a fee were offered a one year suspended ACI sentence, with one year probation. However, our Rhode Island Criminal Defense lawyers have been able to secure much more favorable results for our clients. For more information, visit our solicitation page and view our previous case results.
If you have been charged with procurement of sex for a fee, contact the skilled and experienced attorneys at Abilheira Law, LLC today. Don’t let this charge compromise your career and reputation. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.
Criminal defense attorney Allison C. (Belknap) Abilheira serves clients with dedication and skill in Warren, Providence, and the surrounding areas in Rhode Island. Attorney Abilheira practices law in Rhode Island, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and in Massachusetts.
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