Coventry Man Accused Of Offering Drugs To Children

COVENTRY, RI — A Coventry man was arrested Thursday after police said he tried to give drugs to children in the woods.

John Anderson, 63, was charged with two counts of enticement of children, and possession of a schedule I-to-V controlled substance.

Around 6:15 p.m., Coventry police were called to the woods off East Shore Drive for a report of a man in the woods offering children drugs. Prior to officers' arrival, concerned neighbors located Anderson and kept him at the scene until police arrived.

Police said when officers arrived, they learned Anderson offered marijuana to two children, as they walked a wooded path near Tiogue Elementary School. Anderson asked the children to come to a secluded area, and then the children ran away and told their parents, police said.

Anderson was then arrested, held overnight at the Coventry Police Department, and was arraigned Friday at Third District Court.

Bail was set at $2,500 surety. The judge also issued a no-contact order between Anderson and the two children. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 19 for a felony screening.

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