Tiverton Man Repeatedly Assaulted Pennsylvania Girl, 13: DOJ

TIVERTON, RI — A Tiverton man is facing federal charges after a Pennsylvania teen was found inside his house earlier this month. William Stewart, 20, is accused of bringing the girl to Rhode Island to have sex with her.

The federal complaint charged Stewart with transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, and coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity.

The 13-year-old girl had been missing from her home in Pennsylvania for about a week when she was found in the basement of Stewart's grandparents' High Hill Road house in early July.

Stewart and the girl reportedly met through Snapchat, the Department of Justice said. Messages obtained by the Pennsylvania State Police showed the pair talking about traveling to Rhode Island together, and that the girl told Stewart she was 13 years old.

Officials believe Stewart picked the girl up from her grandparents' house the night of June 30. She was reported missing the next day. He's accused of having sex with the girl several times during the trip back to Rhode Island and once they arrived in Tiverton.

According to the court documents, Stewart and the girl made stops in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Camden, New Jersey and New London, Connecticut. The pair stayed in a hotel room in New London for three days, where they reportedly had sex several times. During that time, Stewart bought the girl a wig to disguise her, before driving to Rhode Island July 4.

Court documents showed that the girl messaged a friend on Snapchat July 5, asking for help. She reportedly tried to leave Stewart's house at least twice, but he threatened her with a knife, the Department of Justice said.