Crime
Fall River, Rochester, and Rhode Island men arrested in underage, commercialized sex sting by FRPD, Massachusetts State Police
Several men were arrested in a sting this week involving multiple agencies.
According to police, on Wednesday, a collaborative undercover operation was conducted in Fall River by the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit (HRVU), the Fall River Police Department Community Action and Suppression Team (CAST), and the Massachusetts State Police Troop D Community Action Team. The operation targeted individuals seeking to exploit minors through the demand for underage commercial sex.
An undercover trooper posted a fictitious online advertisement on a website known for facilitating commercialized sex, posing as a 15-year-old female. After establishing probable cause, the suspect was directed to a predetermined location, where they were apprehended and subsequently charged.
Russell Phillips (64) Fall River
Charges
• Sexual Conduct for a Fee with a Child
• Enticement of a child under the age of 16
• Attempt to Commit a Crime, to wit Attempted Rape of Child
Mark Brownell (43) Portsmouth
Charges
• Sexual Conduct for a Fee with a Child
• Enticement of a child under the age of 16
• Attempt to Commit a Crime, to wit Attempted Rape of Child
Troy Medeiros (25) Fall River
Charges
• Sexual Conduct for a Fee with a Child
• Enticement of a child under the age of 16
• Attempt to Commit a Crime, to wit Attempted Rape of Child
Orion Wellinghurst (38) Rochester
Charges
• Sexual Conduct for a Fee with a Child
• Enticement of a child under the age of 16
• Attempt to Commit a Crime, to wit Attempted Rape of Child
• Resisting Arrest
Carlos Arturo Fernandez Serna (20) Central Falls
Charges
• Sexual Conduct for a Fee with a Child
• Enticement of a child under the age of 16
• Attempt to Commit a Crime, to wit Attempted Rape of Child
• Resisting Arrest
Brownell, Phillips, Medeiros, and Wellinghurst were released on Personal Recognizance. Details on Serna have not yet been released.
