Dartmouth Police, Massachusetts State Police charge 3 with sexual conduct for a fee with a child under 18, other charges

DARTMOUTH, MA – Three local men have been arrested on disturbing charges.

According to police, on Wednesday, members of the Dartmouth Police Department Investigative Services Division and Community Impact Unit, in partnership with the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit, conducted an undercover sting operation to combat the growing threat of commercial sexual exploitation of minors.

Throughout the day and night, detectives working in an undercover capacity arranged to meet with suspects in the area. Numerous individuals initiated communications.

As a result of the operation, a total of three adult men were arrested and charged with sexual conduct for a fee with a child under 18, enticement of a child under the age of 16, and attempts to commit a crime.

The suspects were identified as Ernest Santos, 36, of New Bedford, Dominic Medeiros, 20, of New Bedford, and David Detorres, 50, of New Bedford.

“The Dartmouth Police Department is constantly committed to making the town a safer place and protecting its most vulnerable members,” said Dartmouth Chief of Police, Brian P. Levesque. “Through the efforts of the officers involved, as well as our partnership with the Massachusetts State Police, we were able to prevent the exploitation of minors in our community.