Fall River Firefighter arrested on several charges concerning sexual exploitation of a child

The Rhode Island State Police announce that members of the Rhode Island State Police/Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force have arrested a 10-year Firefighter with the Fall River Fire Department on multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child.

Edward Mathias, 40, of 56 Wheeler Street, Fall River, was arrested, today on one count of Indecent Solicitation of a Child, and one count of Electronically Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor, after an investigation was initiated into Mathias soliciting whom he believed to be a fourteen year old Rhode Island girl to engage in sexual activity. Mathias was taken into custody after responding to a prearranged location to meet the girl for sexual acts. Mathias was arraigned at Third Division District before Magistrate O’Neill and was released on $2,500.00 personal recognizance with special bail conditions including no contact with children and restricted use of the internet.

A person found guilty of Indecent Solicitation of a Child may be imprisoned not more than five years. A person found guilty of Electronically Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor may be subject to a fine of not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years or both.

Fall River Firefighter arrested on child solicitation charges placed on leave.