Mass Firefighter Charged With Soliciting Minor in RI

Posted by: Curt Varone March 5, 2020 0

A Massachusetts firefighter has been arrested in Rhode Island on charges that he solicited sex from an undercover police officer posing online as a 14-year old girl.

Edward Mathias, 40, a ten-year veteran of the Fall River Fire Department, was arrested earlier this week when he attempted to meet the girl in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force charged Mathias with indecent solicitation of a child (RIGL § 11-37-8.8) and electronic dissemination of indecent material to a minor (RIGL § 11-9-1.5). Both offenses are felonies.

According to Fall River Fire Chief John D. Lynch, Mathias had no prior disciplinary problems. The Providence Journal quoted Chief Lynch as saying: “This is a dark day for (the Fall River Fire Department).”

More from the Projo.

More on the story including news video.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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