Previously registered sex offender arrested on multiple counts 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 previously registered sex offender on multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child.

Rodney Ootton, 53, of 47 Greenslitt Avenue, Floor 1, Pawtucket, Rhode Island was arrested yesterday, March 11, 2020, on three counts of Indecent Solicitation of a Child, after an investigation was initiated into Ootton soliciting a person whom he believed to be a fourteen year old Rhode Island girl to engage in sexual activity. Ootton was taken into custody after responding to a prearranged location to meet the girl for sexual acts. Ootton was arraigned at Third District Court before Associate Judge Bucci and was released on $20,000.00 surety bail with special bail conditions including no contact with children and restricted use of the internet.

Ootton was previously charged with statutory rape by members of the Memphis Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee. On December 2, 1998, Ootton was found guilty to the charge and was sentenced to a one year suspended sentence and one year probation. Additionally, Ootton’s sex offender registration for this charge expired on December 1, 2009.