Bristol County man sentenced after setting up encounter with 9-year-old Rhode Island girl

PROVIDENCE – A Taunton, MA, man has been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence for traveling to Rhode Island to engage in illicit sexual contact with a minor and receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material, announced United States Attorney Charles Calenda.

Paul Fredericks, 38, was sentenced on Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose to 15 years imprisonment and 15 years of supervised release.

Fredericks pleaded guilty in August 2024, to attempted enticement of a minor, interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

“One of the most important responsibilities of the United States Attorney’s Office is to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. In this case, our message is clear.  If you intend to exploit or harm children in the District of Rhode Island, there is no safe haven for you here, and you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said United States Attorney Charles Calenda.

According to court documents, Fredericks engaged in online communications with an individual he believed to be the father of nearly 10-year-old girl and arranged to meet with him and his prepubescent daughter, with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activity. The person Fredericks was communicating with was, in fact, a Rhode Island State Police Detective assigned to the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

On October 5, 2022, Fredericks traveled to Providence and met with the purported father in a parking lot, where he discussed preparing the child for sexual activity. Fredericks was arrested at the conclusion of that meeting by members of the ICAC Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations.  A forensic examination of his cell phone revealed that he had received and possessed CSAM.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police ICAC Task Force and Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.