13 "Johns" Arrested in Cranston Backpage.com Prostitution Sting

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CRANSTON, RI—A police sting targeting men using Backpage.com to find prostitutes has led to the arrests of 13 men from across Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Members of the Cranston Police Special Victims Unit, along with the Rhode Island Human Trafficking Task Force, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Providence Police Department conducted the sting operation using undercover operatives who posted ads on Backpage.com.

Last Friday, the detectives and agents set up at an undisclosed Cranston location.

“The goal of the operation was geared towards the people, aka “Johns,” responding to escort advertisements; ultimately, attacking the demand side of prostitution,” police said in a news release. “If there is no demand, there is no need for the service.”

Of the 13 arrested, all but three were from Rhode Island. All are facing charges of procurement of sexual conduct for a fee and were arraigned and released with a Feb. 18 court date.

Several face additional charges, including a Smithfield man who was in possession of cocaine and marijuana, police said, and a MIlford, Mass., man who was also charged with simple assault.

They were:

Joseph Viera, 59, of 299 Providence St., Rehoboth, Mass.

Kyle Gravel, 22, of 394 George Waterman Road, Johnston.

Douglas Carpenter, 61, of 10 Woodlake Drive, Johnston.

Jason Hiatt, 39, of 2732 Hartford Ave., Johnston.

Thomas Valaouras, 51, of 11 Columbus Ave., Milford, Mass., also charged with simple assault.

Andrew DeSilva, 25, of 9 Oakland Road, Richmond.

Louis Parente, 52, of 2 Woodhaven Boulevard, North Providence.

Jason McWilliams, 42, of 70 Grandview Drive, Cumberland.

A Smithfield man, who was also charged with cocaine and marijuana possession but that record has been sealed.

Dina Seng, 45, of 209 Wendell St., Providence.