Rhode Island man granted bail after being accused of offering two minors drugs in the woods

A Rhode Island man is facing multiple charges after an alleged incident this week.

According to Captain Ryan DeSisto, on Thursday, at approximately 6:15 p.m., The Coventry Police Department responded to the area of East Shore Dr. for reports of a man in the wooded area attempting to offer children drugs.

Upon arrival to the scene, the suspect had been located by concerned neighbors and kept at the scene for police.

The on-scene investigation revealed that the suspect, identified as 63-year-old John Anderson of Coventry, RI, had allegedly offered marijuana to two minors as they walked a wooded path near Tiogue Elementary School, to have them come to a more secluded area.

The minors were able to quickly escape the area and report the encounter to their parents.

Based on evidence and the investigation, Anderson was arrested for Enticement of Children.

Anderson was then transported to Coventry Police Headquarters and held overnight.

On Friday, Anderson was brought before a 3rd District Court Judge where he was arraigned on charges of two counts of Enticement of Children and Possession of Schedule I-V Controlled Substance.

Anderson’s bail was set at $2,500 surety, with a felony screening date of 8/19/24. A No Contact Order was also issued between Anderson and the two minors.