CHILD MOLESTATION

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced in a press release that a West Warwick man has been charged in Kent County Superior Court with second-degree child molestation stemming from his arrest on Nov. 9, 2023.

On March 6, the Office of the Attorney General charged Justin Taylor, 34, of West Warwick by way of criminal information with one count of second-degree child molestation.

“As alleged in the criminal information, the defendant sexually assaulted a victim under the age of 14 on or about October 8, 2023,” according to the press release. “The Warwick Police Department conducted the investigation. The defendant is scheduled for arraignment on March 22 … in Kent County Superior Court.”

SHOPLIFTING

Around 4:30 p.m., Oct. 22, 2023, Warwick Police were dispatched to Best Buy on Universal Blvd. for the report of a delayed shoplifting. The loss prevention officer described a male wearing a black Boston hat and black sweatshirt picked up Pokémon cards valuing $76.93 and passed the point of purchase without paying.

On Nov. 3, the same male was reported concealing Pokémon cards in his pocket valuing $45.42 and passing the point of service without paying.

On November 9, Warwick Police responded again to a report of the same male attempting to shoplift a third time. The male was apprehended and identified as Jon P. Franco, 46, of West Warwick. Video evidence of both shoplifting incidents was collected and stored as evidence and a formal statement was taken from the loss prevention officer. The loss prevention officer informed Warwick Police that Best Buy would like to press charges for the previous two shoplifting incidents. 

FUGITIVE ARREST

A man who federal authorities say was wanted for murder in his native country of Honduras and faces charges in Central Falls was arrested by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston late last month.

According to an ERO press release, the suspect was an “unlawfully present fugitive.” The suspect “was found guilty of felony assault with a weapon and domestic violence, then released from court despite the existence of an active immigration detainer for his custody.”

“Deportation officers from ERO Boston apprehended the 23-year-old Honduran national Feb. 27 in Providence,” according to federal authorities.

“This unlawfully present Honduran fugitive is wanted for homicide in his home country and has now been found guilty of violent criminal behavior here,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons. “It is very disturbing that, despite the serious charges this fugitive faces and the existence of an active immigration detainer filed for his custody, he was released by the court back into the community. This case only highlights the importance of why ERO Boston seeks to cooperate with local communities to protect public safety in our region.”

The Honduran national first attempted to enter the United States unlawfully in January 2021 but was expelled under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Title 42 emergency health order, according to ERO Boston. Later that year, he unlawfully entered the United States at an unknown location without being admitted, inspected or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.

ICE has confirmed that he is being sought for homicide by law enforcement authorities in the city of El Progreso in the province of Yoro, Honduras.

In June 2023, Central Falls, Rhode Island police arrested the Honduran national and charged him with assault with a weapon — a felony charge that remains pending, according to federal authorities.

“On Feb. 4, he was arrested by Central Falls police and charged with domestic violence and a bail violation on a previous arrest for felony assault with a weapon, which he later pleaded guilty to in the 6th District Court in Providence,” according to ERO Boston. “On Feb. 7, ERO Boston filed an immigration detainer for his custody with the Adult Correctional Institute in Cranston, Rhode Island. Despite the active immigration detainer, he was released into the community by the court. After becoming aware of his release, ERO Boston officers apprehended and arrested him without incident in Warwick, Rhode Island, Feb. 27.”

The suspect will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and a future hearing before a federal immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), a separate entity from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.