Tiverton Man Admits He Brought PA Teen Girl To RI For Sex Acts

TIVERTON, RI — A Tiverton man admitted in federal court he enticed a 13-year-old Pennsylvania girl to travel to his family home in Rhode Island and engage in sex acts with him.

William Stewart, 22, pleaded guilty Friday to enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

According to federal prosecutors, Stewart admitted on June 17, 2021, he began messaging the victim on Snapchat, quickly learning she was 13. Prosecutors said Stewart persuaded the girl to engage in sex acts with him.

Stewart also admitted that in the middle of the night on June 30, 2021, he picked the girl up from outside her home and brought her to his home in Tiverton. Prosecutors said Stewart drove with the girl through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. While en route to Rhode Island, Stewart stayed at a hotel in New London, Connecticut, where he engaged in sex acts with the victim, prosecutors said.

According to court documents, Stewart also had sexual relations with the victim when the two arrived in Rhode Island. When Stewart and his victim made it to his family's home, Stewart introduced her to his family using a fake name and said she was turning 19 soon, according to prosecutors.

On July 7, 2021, the victim messaged a friend on Snapchat and asked for help. Tiverton police then identified the victim’s location and responded to Stewart’s home.

Stewart is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18.

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