East Providence And Cranston Men Facing Child Pornography Charges

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — An East Providence man was put in federal custody Sunday on charges of possessing child pornography police say he received from a Cranston man.

The two suspects are Charles Chavis, 51 of East Providence and Robert Soares, 38 of Cranston. The U.S. Department of Justice believes that on at least three occasions in March through April, Chavis received child pornography from Soares.

The Rhode Island District for the U.S. Department of Justice said the images were sent to Chavis by Soares who was charged by Cranston Police August 27 with kidnapping his girlfriend and indecent exposure.

Cranston Police conducted another investigation and got a search warrant for Soares' cell phone. Police said in the weeks leading up to Soares' arrest, he persuaded a 14-year-old girl to allow him to take several photographs and a video of her dressed only in her underwear.

The search also resulted in the discovery of text messages between Soares and Chavis. Police said the discussions discovered were about photographs depicting child pornography and on some cases, photos were reportedly included.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise M. Barton.

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