Boston Man Pleads Guilty He Traveled to Bristol For Sex With A Minor

BRISTOL, RI — Rafael P. Leal, 39, of Boston, Mass., pleaded guilty Wednesday in Providence federal court to charges that he traveled to Rhode Island to entice a minor child to have sex. Leal met the Rhode Island youngster on the Internet and saw her in Bristol, police said. He was discovered after a Bristol police officer "made an observation" and began to investigate, Jim Martin, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said earlier. Leal was arrested by FBI agents at his Massachusetts home on Nov. 22.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, Leal admitted to the court that on at least four occasions during 2016 he traveled into Rhode Island to engage in sexual activity with a minor. He also admitted that he enticed the minor through messages he sent via the Internet and text messages. He was charged with one count each of using means of interstate commerce (Internet) to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and interstate travel to engage in sexual activity with a minor. He could face 10 years to life in prison for the first offense and up to 30 years for the second.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 11.