Providence Man Sentenced, Forced Dozens Of Girls To Perform Sex Acts

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man who admitted to coercing a 10-year-old Utah girl and more than a dozen other minors to perform sex acts while he recorded them on the internet was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said Wednesday.

According to court documents, Akinola Akinlapa, 23, exchanged messages online with 75 underage girls — including some who had not reached puberty. Prosecutors said he coerced 15 of the girls to take off their clothes and perform sex acts while he watched and recorded them.

"This case is a sobering reminder of the ways in which technology enables predators to abuse their victims and inflict harm, even over great distances," Cunha said. "Thanks to the bravery of one young girl, and the diligent work of our law enforcement partners, this defendant will be held accountable for his repeated, persistent and abhorrent efforts to victimize young children for his own gratification."

According to prosecutors, Akinlapa used online communications and text messages to speak with the Utah girl. He provided her with a video conferencing link, promising credits for use on an online gaming platform.

Once connected, Akinlapa, told the victim he had her IP address and other personal information. He also hid his face from view. Prosecutors said Akinlapa threatened to share the information on the internet if she did not disrobe and perform a sex act.

Prosecutors said the young girl pretended to perform the sex act and reported the incident to her mother, who in turn called the West Valley City, Utah Police Department. West Valley City police and FBI agents in Salt Lake City and in Providence identified an IP address at Akinlapa’s home as being the source of communications with the 10-year-old Utah girl. Akinlapa’s pattern of coercion with the 14 other girls was similar, prosecutors said.

On June 2, 2020, members of the Providence FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force searched computers and smartphones belonging to Akinlapa. Prosecutors said forensic review revealed evidence that Akinlapa had victimized the Utah girl and 14 other young girls, and had attempted to do the same with about 60 other underage girls, but was unsuccessful. Pictures and videos of children engaged in sexual activity recorded by Akinlapa were found on his phone.

Akinlapa pleaded guilty on June 15, 2022, to enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity and possession of child pornography. He was sentenced on Jan. 11 and must serve eight years of federal probation upon release.

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