RI Assistant Fire Chief arrested for Patronizing a Minor for Commercial Sexual Activity

The Rhode Island State Police announce the arrest of a Quonset Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief for Patronizing a Minor for Commercial Sexual Activity and Indecent Solicitation of a Child.

On August 30, 2019, Stephen E. Barker, age 49, of 317 Namquid Drive, Warwick was arrested for one felony count of Patronizing a Minor for Commercial Sexual Activity and for one felony count of Indecent Solicitation of a Child following an investigation by detectives from the Rhode Island State Police Major Crimes Unit.

The investigation revealed that Barker allegedly provided monetary compensation for a juvenile to perform a sexual act. He met the juvenile via Snapchat and arranged a meeting where the sexual act would be performed. Search warrants were obtained and executed for Barker’s electronics and social media accounts.

Barker was arrested, processed, arraigned at Third Division District Court by the Honorable Judge Joseph P. Ippolito Jr. He was released on $5000.00 with surety bail and ordered to not have any contact with the juvenile victim. His next court date is December 2, 2019

The penalty for a person convicted of Patronizing a Minor for Commercial Sexual Activity is punishable by not more than ten years imprisonment, a fine of up to twenty thousand dollars, or both. A person convicted of Indecent Solicitation of a Child shall be imprisoned for not less than five years.