Police: Mass. Man Enticed Online, then Raped, Molested Cranston Teens

A 23-year-old Massachusetts man who allegedly sent photos of his genitalia to two teenage Cranston girls, coerced them to meet him and then sexually assaulted them is now facing charges of second degree child molestation, second degree sexual assault, two counts of dissemination of indecent material to minors and four counts of enticement of a child.

Police said Raphael Almeida Caldeira, 23, of 97 North Ave., Abington, Mass., will be arraigned Wednesday in Third Division District Court in Warwick following his arrest.

Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist said that Caldeira came to the attention of police after the parent of a 13-year-old girl told police that her daughter had sexual contact with a man she and her friends met on Meetme.com, an online dating website.

Police began an investigation and soon identified a second victim who was 15.

Both victims said their communication with Caldeira began on the website and progressed to text messages and phone calls including pictures he sent of his genitalia, Winquist said.

“This activity occurred despite the victims revealing their true ages to the suspect,” Winquist said.

Caldeira allegedly drove to Cranston from Massachusetts on three occasions to meet with the victims, which is when he sexually assaulted them in his car, police said.

Cranston police detectives obtained an arrest warrant and Caldeira was arrested with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the Abington, Mass., Police Department at his residence without incident.

Caldeira was arraigned in Plymouth County District Court in Massachusetts as a fugitive from justice and waived extradition on Feb. 6. He has since been turned over to Cranston Police in time for today’s arraignment.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about other potential victims is asked to call the Cranston Police Department Special Victims Unit at 401-942-2211.