United States of America v. Paul Fredericks

Providence, Rhode Island, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with attempted inducement of a minor to engage in Illicit activities, interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual activities, and transportation of child pornography.

Paul Fredericks engaged in online communications with an individual he believed to be the father of nearly 10-year-old girl and arranged to meet with him and his prepubescent daughter, with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activity. The person Fredericks was communicating with was, in fact, a Rhode Island State Police Detective assigned to the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

On October 5, 2022, Fredericks traveled to Providence and met with the purported father in a parking lot, where he discussed preparing the child for sexual activity. Fredericks was arrested at the conclusion of that meeting by members of the ICAC Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). A forensic examination of his cell phone revealed that he had received and possessed CSAM.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police ICAC Task Force and Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations.

The defendant was sentenced to 180 months of incarceration as to Counts 1-4, to run concurrently. Following the term of incarceration, the defendant shall be on Supervised Release with special conditions for a period of 15 years as to Counts 1-4, to run concurrently. The defendant shall pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $400.00. Restitution, fines, or other not imposed.