WBOB Original Reads

Providence Man Detained on Federal Sex Trafficking Charges

8/26/2014

Kemont Bowie, 34, of Providence, was ordered detained in federal custody today by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on sex trafficking charges, for allegedly trafficking a 17-year-old girl from the Boston area to Rhode Island for the purposes of commercial sexual activity.

According to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint and arrest warrant filed with the court, the victim was allegedly taken against her will from South Station in Boston in the early morning hours of August 18, 2014, and driven to Rhode Island for the purposes of being trafficked for commercial sexual activity. According to the victim, she was driven to the same residence where she was located yesterday and rescued by FBI agents, Pawtucket and Central Falls Police.

According to the affidavit, on Monday, the victim contacted an individual at a residence she resided at in Arlington, Massachusetts, requesting assistance. The Arlington Police Department and the FBI were contacted, which subsequently led to the FBI, along with Pawtucket Police and Central Falls Police rescuing the victim from a Pawtucket residence and the arrest of the defendant.

Bowie is charged in a federal criminal complaint with one count each of sex trafficking of a child and transportation of a minor. A preliminary hearing on this matter has been scheduled for September 2, 2014.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela E. Chin.

The FBI, Pawtucket Police and Central Falls Police are being assisted in the investigation of this matter by the Rhode Island State Police. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working in conjunction with the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General in the prosecution of this matter.

U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and the law enforcement agencies involved in the rescue of the alleged victim wish to acknowledge Day One in Providence for their quick response and services provided to the young woman.