PROVIDENCE — Over a two-day operation ending Aug. 15, Rhode Island’s specialized law enforcement units conducted a series of arrests across the state for a variety of charges including child pornography, financial fraud, drug trafficking, and fugitive justice.
On Aug. 15, the Computer Crimes Unit/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force took Andrew Higgins, 33, of Woonsocket into custody on charges of transferring and possessing child pornography.
Higgins was processed at the Lincoln Barracks and appeared before Justice Isherwood in Sixth District Court.
Bail was set at $2,500 with surety, and Higgins was ordered to have no contact with minors and limited internet use.
The same day, Financial Crimes Unit officers arrested James McAleer, 81, of Providence for Unlawful Appropriation.
McAleer was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and released on $5,000 personal recognizance.
Adam Pelliccia, 39, of North Providence, was also arrested by the Computer Crimes Unit/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on Aug. 15.
Pelliccia faced a Providence Superior Court Bench Warrant for 1st-degree child molestation and 51 counts of possessing a large-capacity feeding device prohibited by law.
He was processed at the Lincoln Barracks and handed over to the ACI Intake Center after arraignment.
The previous day, on Aug. 14, the RI Violent Fugitive Task Force apprehended Joao Luis Vieira, 43, of West Warwick, on a series of charges including cocaine trafficking, obstruction, eluding, and possession with intent, as well as an immigration violation warrant from ICE.
Vieira was detained without incident and transferred to the West Warwick Police Department.
Additionally, on Aug. 14, Ryan Minasian, 19, of Pawtucket, was arrested by the Computer Crimes Unit/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for possession of child pornography.
Minasian was processed at the Lincoln Barracks and arraigned with bail set at $2,500 with surety, no contact with minors, and limited internet use.
Lastly, members of the HIDTA Task Force arrested Anthony Stevens, 26, of Cranston, for possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine pills.
Stevens was processed at the Lincoln Barracks, specially arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and taken to the ACI Intake Center pending a morning arraignment.
