Frederick Ryan, Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474
For Immediate Release
Friday, September 19, 2014
Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: rflynn@town.arlington.ma.us
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Arlington Police Announce Multiple Arrests in Human Trafficking Case
Long-Term Investigation with Federal Partners Shuts Down Alleged Human Trafficking, Prostitution Ring
ARLINGTON — Police Chief Frederick Ryan announces that the Arlington Police Department, working with federal law enforcement investigators, has successfully concluded a human trafficking case.
RICKY WALLACE, AGE 33, OF PAWTUCKET, R.I. was arrested and charged federally with sex trafficking of a child and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity on August 29 in Pawtucket. Both charges are felonies. His alleged accomplice, KEMONT BOWIE, AGE 34, was previously arrested on similar charges.
The arrests came about after a 17-year-old girl, who resides in a group home in Arlington, accused Wallace and Bowie of forcing her into prostitution after they allegedly kidnapped her from Boston on the morning of August 19. The girl, whose name and address are being withheld because she is the victim of a crime, was able to call an official at her residential program in Arlington and request help, which led to the involvement of the Arlington Police Department, and in particular, Arlington Police Officer James Smith, who is assigned to a Federal Task Force that investigates cases of missing and exploited children.
“This is another example of exceptional police work where Officer Smith has helped a child in danger and brought their tormentors to justice,” said Arlington Police Captain Richard Flynn, the Department’s Investigations Commander.
“Thanks to the work of Arlington Police Officer James Smith and our federal partners, one less child is being exploited and two more dangerous felons are off the streets,” Chief Ryan said.
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