Boston Man Gave Rhode Island Teen Presents, Tried to Entice Sex: US Attorney Says

BRISTOL, RI – A Boston man met a Rhode Island youngster on the Internet and traveled to Bristol trying to meet her for sex, police allege.

Rafael P. Leal, 38, of Boston is in federal custody in Rhode Island today. FBI agents arrested him at his home in the Bay State, confirmed Jim Martin, spokesman for U.S. Atty. Peter Neronha.

Leal faces charges "he allegedly traveled to Rhode Island to entice a minor child to engage in illicit sexual conduct," according to the press release from Neronha, Bristol Police Chief Josue D. Canario and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

Martin declined to say where the girl resides but said the incidents happened in Bristol. A Bristol police officer "made an observation" and began to investigate, Martin said.

No further information is available.

The arrest warrant specifically charges Leal with "interstate travel to engage in sexual activity with a minor and using means of interstate commerce to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity."

Leal is accused of using text messages and the Internet "to entice a minor over a period of months to engage in sexual activity without the minor’s parents’ knowledge."

Police say he allegedly visited her "on at least four occasions with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with a minor."

He's also accused of sending her gifts and instructing her not to tell anyone.

"Using means of interstate commerce (Internet) to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity is punishable by a statutory penalty of a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment; interstate travel to engage in sexual activity with a minor is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to 30 years imprisonment," Neronha's office said.

Chief Canario could not be reached for comment.