Arlington Police, Feds Shut Down Alleged Human Trafficking, Prostitution Ring

Arlington Police, working with federal authorities, recently arrested two Rhode Island men in connection with a human trafficking, prostitution ring.

In late August, authorities arrested Kemont Bowie, 34, of Providence, and federally charged him with sex trafficking of a child and transportation of a minor.

On Friday, Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan announced that Bowie’s accomplice, Ricky Wallace, 33, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was arrested on Aug. 29 in Pawtucket. Wallace was federally charged with sex trafficking of a child and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, he said.

“Thanks to the work of Arlington Police Officer James Smith and our federal partners, one less child is being exploited and two more dangerous felons are off the streets,” Ryan said in a statement.

Smith is assigned to a Federal Task Force that investigates cases of missing and exploited children.

The arrests were made after a 17-year-old girl, who resides in a group home in Arlington, accused the men of kidnapping her from Boston’s South Station on Aug. 19 and forcing her into prostitution.

The girl was able to call an official at her residential program in Arlington from the men’s residence, which is when Arlington Police became involved in the investigation.