Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, Commissioner Steven M. Paré, Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. and Peg Langhammer; Executive Director of Day One announced at a press conference this afternoon that the Providence Police have arrested 22 men in the undercover sting called “Operation Backpage.”
In an effort to combat solicitation for sex and, in particular, the use of Backpage.com, Providence Police conducted “Operation Backpage” on three different dates throughout the month of March. The target of this investigation were men answering to ads to pay for the illegal procurement of sex. Providence Police Narcotics Bureau Detectives placed advertisements on Backpage.com disguised as women soliciting for sex. The undercover policewomen arranged to meet the responding males inside four different local area hotels, where they were each were arrested and charged with “Procurement of Sexual Conduct for a Fee” and either have been or will be arraigned in 6th district court.
“I commend the Providence Police on this successful operation,” said Mayor Elorza. “Addressing procurement for sex and human trafficking is a high priority of my administration. Today we are sending a strong message, loud and clear, that the Providence Police are monitoring Backpage.com aggressively and individuals committing these atrocities are using the site at their own peril.”
“Prostitution is a crime that will not be tolerated in Providence. The Providence Police will continue to be vigilant in ridding the city of prostitution. Those who come to Providence to pursue this crime will suffer the consequences for their actions,” said Commissioner Paré.
“The Providence Police Department will continue our efforts to end the illegal solicitation on Backpage.com. The ongoing hard work of our officers led to the arrest of these 22 individuals, and those involved in these crimes should be aware that we are out there and we are watching,” said Colonel Clements.
“We’re seeing an unprecedented number of these cases almost on daily basis. It’s important that there be a team approach, particularly one that is victim-centered. The commercial sexual exploitation of children is child abuse, a form of sexual abuse, and these girls are victims. Day One is currently holding weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings to coordinate response to these cases, as well as providing trauma-informed treatment for trafficking victims of all ages,” said Peg Langhammer.
Defendants charged in Operation Backpage:
Christopher Kingsley, age 21
Steven Pimental, age 37
Brian Cote, age 53
Earl Goodby, age 65
Jason Hiatt, age 38
McGeary LittleJohn, age 28
Juan Barona, age 31
Randall Micale, age 48
Ricky Lliguicota, age 22
Aloysius Nyanford, age 30
Wilmont Smith, Jr., age 33
Raymond Wyss, age 41
Michael DeMonti, age 37
Gian Papa, age 24
Dustin Chamberlain, age 22
Alejandro Martinez-Andino, age 22
Jarred Martin, age 28
Owen O’Connor, age 39
Bard Moshagen, age 45
Matthew Madison, age 32
Mark Condon, age 56
Andre Williams, age 21