Smithfield Man Snared in Backpage.com Sting Targeting "Johns"

Editor's note: An individual's name has been removed from this report because the charges against them were dismissed.

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, including a Smithfield man who was also in possession of cocaine and marijuana, police said.

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.

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.

David Monte, 36, of 18 Willow Drive, Smithfield, also charged with cocaine and marijuana possession.

[Name removed], Exeter.

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