Two Indicted, Detained in Federal Custody for Allegedly Sex Trafficking a Minor

PROVIDENCE — A federal grand jury on Tuesday returned a four-count indictment against two Rhode Island men. Reysean Williams, a/k/a “Sincere,” 27, of Pawtucket, and Leandro Gomes, a/k/a “Leo,” 18, of Providence, sex trafficked a 17-year-old Rhode Island female at hotels in Warwick, in Queens, N.Y., and at locations in Massachusetts, police allege.

Also, they're accused of taking an 18-year-old woman to Queens, N.Y., to offer her for sex.

The indictment, unsealed today in Providence federal court, charges them with conspiracy to sex traffic a child, sex trafficking of a child, interstate transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and traveling interstate with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The defendants, arrested earlier today and arraigned, were ordered detained in federal custody by U.S. District Court Magistrate Lincoln D. Almond.

According to court papers, Williams rented a hotel room in Warwick from March 21 to 23 for the sex and advertised the juvenile on Backpage.com. Gomes collected the payments made to the victim, and gave most if it to Williams.

Additionally, the indictment alleges that on March 25, 2017, Williams and Gomes moved the juvenile female and an 18-year-old female to a hotel in Queens, N.Y. and advertised sex on Backpage.com. Gomes collected the payments made to the victims, and gave most if it to Williams.

The indictment also alleges that on March 25, 2017, Williams and Gomes traveled to New York for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a person under the age of 18.

According to state court documents, the victim was located on April 17, during an investigation by members of the Cranston Police Department Special Victims Unit, working with Homeland Security Investigations.

An investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Cranston Police Department into this matter and into the alleged conduct of the defendants is continuing.