UPDATE: September 9, 2025
A Massachusetts man arrested in a multistate child exploitation operation is now a fugitive after failing to appear for a court hearing, while a Newport man avoided jail time through a plea agreement, court records show.
Josue Perez Gomez, 29, of Acushnet, Massachusetts, failed to appear for his scheduled Aug. 7 arraignment in 2nd Division District Court, prompting Judge William J. Trezvant to issue a bench warrant for his arrest. The warrant carries a $1,000 bond.
Perez Gomez faces three charges stemming from his July 11 arrest: patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity and indecent solicitation of a child, both felonies, plus the misdemeanor charge of procurement of sexual conduct for a fee. Police said he traveled to Portsmouth with intent to engage in sexual activity with a minor following online exchanges.
Court records show Perez Gomez had initially posted $5,000 surety bond on July 12 with conditions prohibiting contact with minors. He was granted permission to leave the state and had waived his right to a jury trial. His case remains open with the bench warrant active.
Newport man avoids jail time
Connor J. Macleod, 37, of Newport, resolved his case through a plea agreement on Aug. 14. Macleod pleaded no contest to procurement of sexual conduct for a fee, while prosecutors dismissed the more serious charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Judge J. Terence Houlihan Jr. sentenced Macleod to court costs and fees totaling $596.75, which he has paid in full. He received no jail time under the agreement.
Third suspect awaits extradition
The third man arrested in the operation, Ricardo S. Ramirez, 28, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, remains in custody in Connecticut pending extradition to Rhode Island on charges of electronically disseminating indecent material to a minor.
Operation details
The arrests resulted from a two-month joint undercover operation conducted by Portsmouth Police Detective Division in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations New England, with assistance from Warwick, Newport and East Providence police departments. The investigation targeted sex trafficking and child exploitation through online communications and surveillance.
“The Portsmouth Police Department is committed to holding those who exploit minors and vulnerable individuals accountable through proactive enforcement and teamwork with partner agencies,” police said.
The operation demonstrates the ongoing challenge law enforcement faces in combating online child exploitation, particularly when suspects fail to appear for court proceedings and become fugitives.
This story has been updated to reflect the latest court developments in all three cases connected to the summer child exploitation operation.